On our hardest days, parenting is utterly overwhelming. Especially on the days when my husband is working late. In those moments, I could use many various things to help me get through. But you know what I don’t need? Untrue, distracting mom cliches that make parenting even more difficult.
Words are powerful and these 5 cliche sayings are not helpful at all for moms raising kids in this fast-paced world. As a #TalkEarly blogger, we’ve discussed many of the stressors that impact parenting. Memes, parent cliches and competitive messages that promote unhealthy expectations of motherhood is totally part of the problem.
Mom Cliches That Need To Go
I love words so much! They’re powerful and full of purpose! Truth be told though, I’ve used all of these cliche sayings at some point in my parenting. Lately, I’ve been thinking more critically of the messages we’re promoting when we do.
Here are some of the parent cliches that aren’t helping us AT ALL… and totally need to go:
Boys will be boys: I totally get it, my son is a “typical” boy. But when did having “typical boy” attributes equate to a lack of manners or morals or values? I think boys will be awesome humans; they’ll be feminists and activists and aware of their emotional needs. It’s time to be clear on what exactly we hope our boys will be.
Just wait till they’re teens: This one used to drive me crazy when I was a new mom lamenting over the stress of new motherhood. Why is motherhood a competition? Does parenting become less exhausting at some magical age?
It’ll get easier: Does parenting get easier? I don’t think so! Personally, it just gets different. One minute your little one won’t go to sleep, the next they’re asking for the car keys. Parenting is the most rewarding – and most difficult- responsibility I’ve ever had.
Dad is babysitting: Seriously, do we even have to comment on this one? Dads are parents. Not babysitters.
Mom needs wine: Our pop culture around moms and wine is totally a cliche that does not improve our parenting. I’m guilty of using this cliche (especially if you swap wine with coffee!), but the truth is that I don’t need wine (or coffee) to love my children. I don’t need wine to take care of myself. The default meme of an exhausted mom with a bottle of wine is hilarious because it’s true – motherhood can be rough! – but is it conducive to positive parenting and a healthy mom? I’m not so sure.
April is Alchohol Responsibility Month and a great opportunity to assess how we use the words/messages that ultimately become part of our mainstream culture. Parent cliches are everywhere! Online, t-shirts, billboards…. our kids see them all! And I don’t want my kids to think I need alcohol to survive a day as their mom.
So if not wine, what does a mom really need? We need community! We need friends and time to ourselves, we need to feel as though our voices are heard and validated. I love wine (and coffee!), but do we need it to be awesome parents? I don’t think so. Maybe mom needs to take a beat and engage in slow living principles, which is what I’m trying my best to do these days. Check out the video of our #TalkEarly team talking about these cliches…
Cliche Sayings That Aren’t Helpful
Parenting is exhausting… it’s also fun and fulfilling. And guess what? You’ve got this! Practice self-care, take a nap, decompress with friends… even over a glass of wine. Just remember that you don’t need any of these cliches to be a great mom and a successful parent.
What mom cliches are you sick of hearing? Check out TalkEarly.Org and join the conversation!
