Mama Renew: Exploring the Deeper Journey of Motherhood

Please Sarah on the new Mothering.com community blog — All Things Mothering.

by Sarah Juliusson of www.MamaRenew.ca – Find Mama Renew on Facebook & Twitter

Do you have one of those friends who just doesn’t get your life as a mother?  With no children herself, she has a hard time imagining what on earth it is that you do all day…. Worse, you never seem to have time for her!

Here is a great letter & response in the Washington Post that has mom around North America nodding their heads in agreement:

Carolyn:

Best friend has child. Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What’d you do today? Her: Park, play group . . .

Okay. I’ve done Internet searches, I’ve talked to parents. I don’t get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners . . . I do all those things, too, and I don’t do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I’m asking is: What is a typical day and why don’t moms have time for a call or e-mail? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events) and I manage to get it all done. I’m feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy — not a bad thing at all — but if so, why won’t my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest (”My life is so much harder than yours”)? What’s the deal? I’ve got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions.

To read the authors’ clever response, click here…

What about you?  When you became a mom, did your friendships change?  Have you been able to keep some of those friendships with women who don’t have children alive & growing?