Let's Be Honest

There was a raging debate the other day on this mommy-board I frequent bc/ some woman admitted that, while she loves her 10 month old son, she doesn't really care for babies, and she doesn't really care for hanging out w/ babies all day. She misses her career as a big-law lawyer.

Every other mother on this board was quick to chime in about how much they love their babies, how every single burp their baby makes is magical, how every single tossed rattle is miraculous, how every single poopy diaper is a gift, how every minute spent shushing and rocking is exciting and stimulating; wearing a path in the carpet pacing with a crying baby is not at all tedious, and trying desperately to comfort an inconsolable baby, who won't stop screaming no matter what you do, is not at all frustrating. Oh no, oh no... they find their sole reward and singular purpose in every single aspect of mothering... and if you don't, then you must be crazy-- blame it on PPD.

For the love of Pete. Liars! Big, fat, lying liars. Why do women feel like they can't be honest with themselves, let alone with other women, most (if not all) of whom can relate and empathize? No other mother could question the indescribable, unimaginable, depths of unconditional love that you have for your baby. It should be OK to admit that spending, literally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week caring for this little thing that is so hopelessly helpless that it literally cannot do eh-heh-heny thing for itself is an incredible undertaking, an enormous responsibility, a shitload of mind-numbing, exhaustive, tedious work. And you're doing all this, you're working so hard, you're giving up everything else that you used to have in your life and focusing solely on this little angry slug who doesn't respond to you- or even acknowledge you in any way- for the first three months, and you're not even allowed to commiserate with another woman who has been there and done that, bc/ if you dare to insinuate that you are less than 1000% over-the-moon enamored with your new position, there is something wrong with you. Not loving the monotony of caring for an infant 24-7 in no way- IN NO WAY- reflects upon your love for your child. Let's be honest, ok?