I'm sure most of you have seen the recent TIME cover, with a mother breastfeeding her three year old child and the words "ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH?" I have been thinking about it for a couple days now, and have a few thoughts on the subject . . .
First of all, SO WHAT? This mom chooses to breastfeed her child at three years old (along with many, many others). That's her prerogative. It's not the breastfeeding mother that offends me, but the words "ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH?"
I have the privilege of being around many incredible mothers -- sisters, friends, aunts, cousins -- and the beauty of it is that much like every child, every mother is different too. I've had friends who have done cloth diapers, while others do disposable. Some moms do "Cry It Out" while others don't. I have friends who make baby food and others who do store-bought. Some moms want thumb-suckers while just as many give a binky. I know moms who went back to work and I have friends who've stayed home. And some mom breastfeed while others give formula.
The point is WE ARE DIFFERENT.
SO WHAT??
But the one thing we have in common is that we are doing the best we can. Every day. And, I'll be honest, some days my best sucks. Today was one of those days. But that doesn't make me any less of a Mom to my sweet boy.
What makes me mad is that TIME magazine, and frankly much of the media, wants to pit moms against each other in some fictitious war that they think we ought to be fighting. Stay at Home Mom vs. Working Mom. Breastfed Baby vs. Formula-fed Baby. It's ridiculous! Don't we have enough on our plates than to compare ourselves to other moms and decide "who is doing it better?" Believe me, I put enough pressure on myself to be a good mother without the media telling me I'm doing it wrong.
It is my hope that we Moms see through this ludicrous tactic to gain attention and earn dollars through magazines sales -- we are smarter than that.
We are doing the best we can.
I am doing the best I can.
I am Mom enough for Liam. No matter what. Because I love him so much it hurts. Because I'd do anything for him. Because even at my worst, I'm doing the best I know how. We all are.
~Jessi
Great take on the article! Today my best sucks too! ha ha - I needed to see those words. Yes, I am mom enough, and yes, so are you! I agree with everything you've said here and I'm glad you said it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible post!! This should be published! Please send it in anywhere you can! Love you soooo much. A
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! We are all doing our best. I'm especially glad that you said the mom breastfeeding her 3-year-old is not offensive, but the words "Are you mom enough?" is offensive. I completely agree with you. Those words should go have a time-out. And no magazine sales this month, either.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Even from child to child, our mothering can be different. Breya was breastfed while Jerred was bottle fed. I was a working mom, but also a home mom as my schedule was different day to day. I think every mom, especially on Mother's Day today deserves kudos for doing what they feel is best for each of their individual children each day. We are all mom enough. Hope you have a wonderful 1st Mother's Day with Liam. Enjoy every minute.
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