"You worry about your kids too much."
I know I am the only mother who has heard this.
No one else has relatives, friends, and sometimes complete strangers come up and say these precious words to them...
What do they mean, anyway?
What is the thought-process behind saying that to someone?
"You worry about your kids too much."
Even said in the most sincere and loving way...
Is it a compliment meant to comfort?
Just a sarcastic gesture?
Praise? No.
An insult?
One little statement has a lot of power. It can do so much harm. Unintentional maybe, but the damage is done.
We mothers are often referred to as rocks and pillars of strength. We have the ability to endure and provide and overcome. We have a maternal instinct that drives us to do great things.
But we are also sponges.
We absorb everything, and we hold it deep inside until one of two things happen: we cannot hold anymore, or we are "squeezed" to our limit.
Then it all comes pouring out.
And ironically, after that happens, we are told how sensitive and emotional we women are, and go right back to absorbing again.
We mothers are criticized on everything we do. And everything we don't do. Every move we make or don't make. And we are questioned, and somehow every question is appropriate to ask.
People will often only lend a hand because they see us "struggling."
But more often than not, they will simply offer their "words of wisdom."
To that I say, "Thanks, I'll store that away..."
Save the world. Promote world peace. Stop world hunger. Save the dolphins, plant a tree, don't use plastic bags...
Here's one to add to the list:
Be nice to mommies!
... even the ones who worry about their kids too much.
Thanks.
