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It is far too easy and common for folks to dehumanize mothers. Yes, even other mothers, even ourselves.
Mothers are not giving machines, teaching machines, organizing machines, loving machines - but whole human beings.
Shit, this is gonna be a thread.
Mothers are not giving machines, teaching machines, organizing machines, loving machines - but whole human beings.
Shit, this is gonna be a thread.
Mothers are complex, contradictory, COMPLETE humans above around and outside of their mothering.
Mothering is an act. It is a thing you DO. It cannot be who you are - that isn't healthy for mother, child(ren), or community.
And yet...
Mothering is an act. It is a thing you DO. It cannot be who you are - that isn't healthy for mother, child(ren), or community.
And yet...
When I say that modern motherhood is dehumanizing folks always want to square up.
And...I mean, okay?
You can yell all day about how your child(ren) is your life but that doesn't make it true - or fair to them or healthy for any of y'all.
That's not how this works
3?/???
And...I mean, okay?
You can yell all day about how your child(ren) is your life but that doesn't make it true - or fair to them or healthy for any of y'all.
That's not how this works
3?/???
And I know, I KNOW, that capitalism has us believing that our children are our greatest products and patriarchy has us bamboozled into thinking that motherhood is some sacred calling but damn y'all.
WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
WE ARE RAISING HUMAN BEINGS.
4/
WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
WE ARE RAISING HUMAN BEINGS.
4/
We are not machines. We are not creating mini perfections.
We are people who are guiding, loving, and protecting young people as they grow into themselves.
Denying our own personhood does nothing to model healthy adulthood, relationships, or parenting for them.
5/
We are people who are guiding, loving, and protecting young people as they grow into themselves.
Denying our own personhood does nothing to model healthy adulthood, relationships, or parenting for them.
5/
I don't care how old your kids are or where you are on your motherhood journey NONE OF US CAN DO THIS SHIT ALONE. We need support, we need respect, we need each other, and most of all we need folks around us who will help us hold onto ourselves.
6/
6/
Because it's so simple, it's fucking seductive as hell, to subsume yourself in motherhood. Everything, all around us, is telling us to do that. Fill your cup so you can pour it out. Put on your oxygen mask so you can save another.
7(ion even know)/
7(ion even know)/
BUT WHO RHE FUCK POURS FROM A CUP?!?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF A MESS THAT MAKES?!?;
Go try it. I'll wait while you clean up.
And oxygen masks are for emergencies. Not motherhood.
8/
Go try it. I'll wait while you clean up.
And oxygen masks are for emergencies. Not motherhood.
8/
I created The Mom Center and folks thought the name is bc it's a place for moms. But it's bc it's a place WHERE WE CENTER MOMS.
YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WITHOUT WHOM YOUR LIFE CANNOT HAPPEN.
You.
You are your most important relationship.
And if you don't heal...
9/
YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WITHOUT WHOM YOUR LIFE CANNOT HAPPEN.
You.
You are your most important relationship.
And if you don't heal...
9/
If you aren't trying for you, if you're letting yourself slip through your own damn fingers, then you'll never be the mother you truly want to be.
Or the mother your children need.
10/
Or the mother your children need.
10/
It is possible to hold onto your humanity and to mother at the same time. It is possible to celebrate your personhood within and outside of motherhood.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
You can do it. I promise.
/end
IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
You can do it. I promise.
/end
