Monday, June 23, 2008

Tylenol Sore Throat-- PM. Obviously didn't work tonight.

It's 2am....I have bronchitis... and it sucks. Anyway, I didn't come on here to complain about that. I *actually* have a real thought to write about-- Surprise, surprise. But don't listen too hard or comprehend too much, I am medicated after all.


I can't even remember which company this commercial is for... but it's about motherhood. And it shows a family and their children in several different scenes, babies, etc. Who ever wrote that commercial... obviously doesn't have kids. While I was watching it, I couldn't help but wonder... Is this what people think it is like to be a mother? A warm fuzzy feeling all the time? Granted... If I were pregnant, I'm sure that commercial would have me crying my eyes out. But it seems like people base too much happiness on parenthood and family when really it's more stress than it is warm and fuzzy or even happy. No wonder people are popping out babies at all various ages and stages of life. I will admit, it is a beautiful thing---- Kids are great. But they're not " fun runs in the park" and "fun on the beach" twenty four hours a day like people make them out to be. In fact, they can be dirty down right screaming monsters from some unknown underworld. In fact, I think that most of the time their halo, while visible to outsiders is actually held up by horns that are only visible to parents. I'm not saying children are evil... not one bit! I'm saying they can be. And commercials like these only seem to show people the great parts of being a parent.

I do love my kids, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade them in for the world but the subject of parenting has a lot of misconceptions in press. No one wants to show the true nature of children. I've been watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 a lot lately and they should show clips of that on all channels because that is the true parenting aspect right there. They've gotten over trying to be the perfect parents for the realization that it's impossible. Not because they have 8 kids, but because it really is impossible. Do you honestly think you could smile at your child while they take pancake syrup and massage into their clean head of hair, tell you "Leave me alone," or "you don't tell me?" What about when they have a melt down because you were wondering what they were doing and didn't realize that the look on your face of "what the..." could scare them so badly. Or how about when you're out shopping and every two steps you take you have to stop to pick up a sippy cup? And those are just normal things. What about when the children are sick? Even commercials for over-the-counter children's medication made parenthood seem like a cake walk. Where is the media/commercials, etc that show the world that raising children is something that is hard to do? Not just running around outside all happy and smiles? I was having a conversation about this with some people I know who do have children. Most people-- mainly women said that the media gave them a big misconception on what is was like to be a mother.

I always wondered why people smiled at me when I was pregnant. Most of them probably had children. Most of them probably knew what was going to happen to me... And most of them probably knew that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My first little girl was eye-opening. No warmth or fuzziness in acid reflux I can tell you that. My second little girl, what can I say about that? Turned the world upside down. I don't regret my children, I just wish I still saw through rose-colored glasses like I see other people doing, BC (before children). I'm not materialistic but I like my things in tact, however, kids will eventually reach these things or figure out how to get them... which is another thing to get used to; nothing is yours anymore. Not even your food. When we go out to eat or even eat here at home, I have two children, who at food time cease to be children. Instead they are scavengers, sharks on a feeding frenzy. Even if they're eating the same thing, apparently if it's on my plate it must taste much better!

So now whenever I see a pregnant woman, like the ones that smiled at me... I smile at them. 9 months isn't even a fraction of a lifetime, but what comes after it never goes away. And finally, I am in the know about the big secret of "parenting." And it's definitely not what is portrayed on TV or in commercials. I guess everyone finds out eventually, especially when the child becomes a toddler...... I imagine it does get better as the children grow older. It has to. I read other blogs of people with older kids but I'm not here yet so that's another thing I'll need to wait to learn. Until then, I'm just going to smile at all the *preggo* women out there, who were once like I was.....waddling around with absolutely no clue as to what is about to happen to their life.


That's my rant for the week, I think.

2 comments:

Holly Schwendiman said...

Ironically, my hubby was just discussing misperceptions of media this morning. He was sharing that the teen magazine he got for our daughter at the airport was so full of such unrealistic teens and their lives that you'd be really messed up if you based your perceptions on it. Media doesn't focus on truth only on what sells - sad that it has such a powerful influence hugh?

Hugs,
Holly

Ken said...

I agree. I love my kids, but raising them isn't easy. Not by a long shot.

 

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