Austrian blogger and fierce advocate for stay-at-home moms, Laura Fischer, is back with an impactful message: it’s perfectly acceptable to confess that not every moment of being home with the kids is a joy.
You might recognize Laura from her candid takes on parenting topics, from the absurdities of post-baby intimacy to the realities of breastfeeding. In her recent blog entry titled “The Highs and Lows of Motherhood,” she eloquently captures the frustrations many stay-at-home parents face.
“Before I became a full-time mom, I felt valued. I engaged in meaningful conversations, contributed financially, and my opinions mattered. Now, it’s like my only authority is on bath temperatures or the occasional diaper change,” she reflects.
Laura’s observations resonate deeply, particularly the sentiment of feeling invisible. It’s not that you don’t love your kids; it’s more about the loss of your identity and the feeling that your thoughts no longer have weight. Many stay-at-home moms experience these emotions, yet few openly discuss them due to the guilt of knowing that many working moms wish for the flexibility to stay home.
She addresses the argument of “first world problems” head-on, stating, “When someone is struggling, comparing their challenges to those facing dire situations only makes them feel worse. You can’t solve world hunger by shaming someone for their feelings.” This perspective is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to acknowledge their struggles without fear of judgment.
If stay-at-home moms had a bit more time, this quote would be worth writing down and placing somewhere they could see it during tough days. It’s absolutely okay to feel discontent at times; longing for the days before “Mommy” became your primary title doesn’t make you a bad parent.
In the workforce, you know when to expect rewards—like a paycheck or a team celebration. But as a stay-at-home mom, those affirmations come unexpectedly. Laura beautifully illustrates this point: “The rewards are priceless, but they arrive randomly, often when you least expect them. Just when you feel overwhelmed or question the purpose of folding yet another load of laundry, a moment of joy can hit you like a ninja kick to the head.”
Those fleeting moments of happiness with your children can fuel a stay-at-home mom’s motivation to push through until the next one arrives. If you find yourself feeling unhappy in your parenting role at times, remember, it doesn’t define you as a bad mom; it simply means you’re navigating the incredibly challenging journey of parenthood and doing your best.
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In summary, it’s important for parents to understand that it’s completely normal to have moments of dissatisfaction in their parenting journey. Embracing these feelings doesn’t make you a bad parent; it makes you authentic.