Mothers Day conversations are also awkward when you're estranged from your mother. All the "my mother is my best friend," or "you'll miss her when she's gone," or "you only get one mom and you should reconcile," all fall flat when you have a Great Value brand Joan Crawford/Mommy Dearest with unchecked mental health issues, narccistic personality disorder and addictions. But not too many people are ready to have that conversation . While I do have kids, mothers day is still a touchy subject.
As an older/elderly woman who is child-free, I love this post. Maybe it's me but my sense is that you are growing into your innate wisdom, Garance. Kuddos from this octogenarian who is 'Jung at heart.'
This is so beautiful - brought tears to my eyes! "I believe that if we want to be happy and at ease in life—in other words, to be free—we must be okay with occasional discomfort, allowing ourselves to be the odd one out sometimes." <-- something I really hope to embody and teach my own kids.
My mother died when I was 17 years old. So even though I am now a mother and a grandmother, Mother's Day is fraught for me, too. And, having had an intrusive stepmother, who only made things worse, I applaud your efforts to be a stellar one!
Beautifully said Garance! You are correct in saying we need to be comfortable with discomfort. This note is perfect timing in that, recently I pondered the fact that im 47 and single - no kids - I wanted once upon a time. And unfortunately or fortunately which ever way you look at it it didn't happen...and that's okay. I reflected on the fact as to why once upon a time I wanted kids and then eventually over time decided not to have any. Yes a host of different reasons - some obvious and others not but the fact that when you make the conscious decision...the peace that follows allows you to finally free yourself from the countless shackles of society.
Thank you for sharing a piece of the "trials" and sometimes "comedies" that childless women experience daily. We don't always voice our experiences out of respect for the many women who have kids but you have...Merci!🙏
You did a good job with this! I've had an interesting career and just never wanted children. Now I am a stepmother and feel grateful, because the more people there are to love in a family, the better.
Fellow stepmother here with no children (biological) of my own. Gosh do I feel this whole post deeply and appreciate you sharing. I've really struggled with the "step" part of it and some of that is not being able to find community in it to help me through.
This is such a lovely, thoughtful post. Thank you.
I am a stepmother as well. I always say step is a four letter word. It’s complicated.
This is beautiful. We are a blended family and love comes in all shapes, sizes, and situations. That's one thing we all can relate to
Thank you for this 🤍
Mothers Day conversations are also awkward when you're estranged from your mother. All the "my mother is my best friend," or "you'll miss her when she's gone," or "you only get one mom and you should reconcile," all fall flat when you have a Great Value brand Joan Crawford/Mommy Dearest with unchecked mental health issues, narccistic personality disorder and addictions. But not too many people are ready to have that conversation . While I do have kids, mothers day is still a touchy subject.
As an older/elderly woman who is child-free, I love this post. Maybe it's me but my sense is that you are growing into your innate wisdom, Garance. Kuddos from this octogenarian who is 'Jung at heart.'
Aaaw thank you <3 yes you are!
This was a lovely post. Thoughtful and sincere.
Thank you!
This is so beautiful - brought tears to my eyes! "I believe that if we want to be happy and at ease in life—in other words, to be free—we must be okay with occasional discomfort, allowing ourselves to be the odd one out sometimes." <-- something I really hope to embody and teach my own kids.
Such a beautiful note today. Thank you!
Thanks for your honesty, it’s hard to admit it but the discomfort does exist and nice to know I’m not alone.
My mother died when I was 17 years old. So even though I am now a mother and a grandmother, Mother's Day is fraught for me, too. And, having had an intrusive stepmother, who only made things worse, I applaud your efforts to be a stellar one!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic, Garance.
Beautifully said Garance! You are correct in saying we need to be comfortable with discomfort. This note is perfect timing in that, recently I pondered the fact that im 47 and single - no kids - I wanted once upon a time. And unfortunately or fortunately which ever way you look at it it didn't happen...and that's okay. I reflected on the fact as to why once upon a time I wanted kids and then eventually over time decided not to have any. Yes a host of different reasons - some obvious and others not but the fact that when you make the conscious decision...the peace that follows allows you to finally free yourself from the countless shackles of society.
Thank you for sharing a piece of the "trials" and sometimes "comedies" that childless women experience daily. We don't always voice our experiences out of respect for the many women who have kids but you have...Merci!🙏
You did a good job with this! I've had an interesting career and just never wanted children. Now I am a stepmother and feel grateful, because the more people there are to love in a family, the better.
Beautiful said, but until when a woman without kids will be considered odd?
Fellow stepmother here with no children (biological) of my own. Gosh do I feel this whole post deeply and appreciate you sharing. I've really struggled with the "step" part of it and some of that is not being able to find community in it to help me through.