Movies have been telling tall tales about motherhood for ages. It’s as if they assume that once you welcome a baby into the world, your brain turns to mush. While there may be some truth to that, mothers still possess a solid understanding of what typical maternal behavior looks like. Don’t let Hollywood dupe you! Here are some of the ways your favorite flicks mislead us about being a mom:
1. Sixteen Candles
It’s unbelievable that a mother could forget her child’s birthday, especially a milestone like the 16th! We live for those celebrations! Plus, no mother would marry off her oldest child to the first unsuitable suitor that comes along. And would you really allow your daughter to pop muscle relaxants like they’re candy before her wedding? Absolutely not!
2. Home Alone
As tempting as it might be to forget a child during a chaotic trip, a mother would never leave her kid behind in a foreign country. No matter how many children you have, remembering them is your top priority. Everything else is just background noise.
3. Mommy Dearest
No wire hangers? Seriously? If that’s a deal breaker, you might have too much time on your hands. I feel like I’ve achieved a miracle when my kids manage to put their dirty clothes in the hamper instead of around it. If they’re hanging up their shirts, I honestly couldn’t care less what kind of hangers they use!
4. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Come on, Hollywood! Mothers can spot when their kids are faking illness. Before becoming moms, we were teenagers too, and we know all the tricks! We can see through the nonsense faster than you can say, “Bueller…Bueller.” Motherhood sharpens your instincts like nothing else.
5. Baby Boom
Sure, it’s possible to be a mom and successfully launch a startup, but the way this film portrays it makes it look like a walk in the park. “I’ll just become a gourmet baby food chef while juggling my toddler and managing a business.” Yeah, right! The last time I tried cooking with a toddler around, we ended up ordering pizza because nobody wanted to eat my burnt spaghetti.
6. Troop Beverly Hills
When Phyllis Nefler decides to prove her ex-husband wrong during her divorce, she takes on the role of den mother for her daughter’s Wilderness Troop. Camping with kids is tough enough, but Phyllis does it in stilettos, designer outfits, and perfectly styled hair, all while clueless about using a compass—and they still win the jamboree! Talk about setting the bar impossibly high.
7. The Karate Kid
If my child came home with a black eye, I’d be storming down to the school in no time. Yet Mrs. LaRusso does nothing. Instead of taking action, she lets her son figure things out on his own. That simply wouldn’t fly in real life; I’d be ready to unleash my own form of justice before sitting idly by.
8. Goonies
At the start of the film, the Walsh family faces foreclosure, yet Mrs. Walsh somehow manages to hire someone to pack up their entire house. If you can’t keep your home, then you definitely can’t afford a mover! Even if you have a broken arm or leg, let’s be real: moms never get a break from their responsibilities.
For more relatable stories and insights into motherhood, consider checking out this helpful resource on pregnancy or explore fertility supplements for those on their conception journey.
In summary, Hollywood’s portrayal of motherhood is often exaggerated and unrealistic. From forgetting birthdays to effortlessly balancing work and parenting, films create a fantasy that doesn’t reflect the chaotic, beautiful, and often messy reality of being a mom. Don’t let the silver screen fool you into thinking that motherhood is as simple as it seems!