Motherhood: The Fairy Tale and the Truth

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there was a Mommy. This Mommy was unlike any other Mommy, this Mommy had special powers. She kept a spotless house, where the toys were all neatly kept in their picture labeled baskets. This Mommy's laundry never piled up, it was always washed, dried, ironed and folded as it was worn. Her towels were plush and hand embroidered by Mommy herself. Her floors and windows sparkled from the daily washing.

The children were always dressed in exquisite clothing sewn by Mommy, no wrinkles or stains to be found. They played quietly with their toys, kept their rooms clean and their homework done. These children also possessed special powers. At all times, they adhered to the proper etiquette training their Mommy so perfectly modeled. These children were always occupied with the amazing crafts and activities their Mommy created to fill their days.

This Mommy fed the family three home-cooked meals from foods she gathered from her bountiful garden and carefully preserved for off season feasting. The dishes from these feasts were promptly washed and dried.

This Mommy also perfectly balanced a home business and was part of a perfect marriage. The End.

The Truth:

In suburbia there is a Mommy. This Mommy is like every other Mommy. Her family room looks like a toy box threw up. Her children are jumping on the mountain of dirty laundry they have piled at the bottom of the steps. Her once plush towels are now used to mop up the bathroom from the children's baths and are starting to resemble swiss cheese. The floors of this Mommy's house sparkle from the glitter left from a spontaneous crafting session with her children.

These children wear their jammies all day. If by chance an errand requires them to leave the house, whatever is clean and not stained is worn. These children run and yell (IN THE HOUSE, gasp!), want to play with whatever is on the bottom of their toy box and think homework is for the stupid. These children are mostly well-behaved, but have on occasion picked their nose, thought gas was funny and thrown a tantrum or ten.

This Mommy carefully budgets her families income and has served her family fast food when she didn't feel like cooking. Her dishes have sat in the sink overnight or even all day until this Mommy took a break from Mommying.

This Mommy struggles to find the balance while working at home and at times worked very hard to make her marriage work. The End.