‘We should have the freedom to say, ‘The thought of reading with my kids makes me want to gouge my eyes out.’ Just be HONEST about it.’: Mom urges honest motherhood, ‘It doesn’t mean we don’t love them’

“I just want you to know if you are my friend, you can say, ‘My kids were jerks today,’ without one look of judgement from me.

You should feel free to be able to say, ‘I want to run away today,’ without any pearl-clutching.

I know I complain a lot about parenting, and that is because raising children is the hardest, most physically and emotionally impossible thing I’ve ever done. Every day is a new, uncharted water.

I broke up fights today, got frustrated, raised my voice, cried, consoled crying, felt guilty, felt happy, felt loved, gave love. All in less than 24 hours.

It’s hard. It’s hard for all of us. We wonder if we are screwing it up all the time.

So, why not just be honest about it?

Why not have the freedom to say, ‘I just cannot be f*cked with dinner tonight,’ and, ‘The thought of reading with my kids makes me want to gouge my eyes out.’

I want you to know with me, you can say this and I’ll never think you don’t love your kids or you’re unappreciative.

Screw all the perfectionist attitudes, and the ‘oh, my children are blessings 24/7’ grateful optimism.

It doesn’t mean we don’t love our children, it doesn’t mean we aren’t grateful—but we are allowed to vent. Because you know what’s even harder than raising children?

Pretending it’s not hard.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Laura Mazza. Follow Laura on Instagram here. Do you have a similar experience? We’d like to hear your important journey. Submit your own story here. Be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more from Laura here:

‘Laura can do it, she’s home every day.’ I was told how hard my husband must have it. They didn’t tell me about the frustrations, the anger.’: Mom tells other stay-at-home moms ‘you are not alone’

‘He looked at me sadly. ‘But I just want to tell you one more thing!’ I huffed and said, ‘No, go to bed!’: Mom advocates for mental health

‘She’s the kid you see biting her parents. You think, ‘Thank god she’s not mine.’ I would not purchase again.’: Mom ‘salutes’ parents with ‘feral’ children

‘You CAN’T do it all. You aren’t a robot. Screw what anyone else says.’: Mom urges other parents to ‘ask for help’

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