Fellow Business Mums Network member Amanda Cox, Director of Real Mums, the parenting forum with a focus on REAL parenting, received fantabulos media coverage yesterday with talkback radio and morning talk shows across Australia all discussing how RealMums.com.au and BadMothersClub.com.au encourage women to take time out from their families to think about their own needs for a change.
Most radio hosts were more interested in hearing the horror stories and to be truthful, who doesn’t have them, but what I felt was great publicity, were the women who were on the television programs talking about how they are taking time out for themselves to be better mothers to their children.
As Amanda states, in today’s society, mothers are damned if they stay at home with the kids and they are damned if they go back to work. The community structure or style of parenting and raising children has gone, with families today consisting of one or two parents/guardians instead of the extended family we all grew up with. There is just no support for parents and mothers in particular to give us the strategies we need.
Raising kids is hard work! Yes, I admit it. AND I am proud to say that (although I need to pay my subscription) that yes I am a bad mother too because I dare to take time out for myself so I can recharge my batteries and be a better mother. Ultimately, regardless of the name and/or connotations it may hold for you, you have to agree that anything that gets women together swapping strategies, war stories and tips on removing nail polish from the brand new carpet can only be a great thing.
I predict big things for Amanda and the team at RealMums.com.au so don’t forget to visit today, vote for Real Mum of the year and book your ticket to their first ever Mum’s Night Out! event being held Saturday 12th May at the Melbourne Zoo. Visit www.realmums.com.au for more details!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve heard about ‘bad mums’ but haven’t yet explored to see what it’s really about. However I can say the reason why I began working at home over 13 years ago was so I could see more of my children and spend more time with them. My business has been busy but I’ve still blocked out time for my daughters, and on occasion even for myself. I remember one birthday one year I spent going from one venue to another in the city and had lunch and dinner with my husband too! Was a great day.
Love your blog Kylie. It’s taken me 5 and a bit years (and still learning) that it’s imperative I take time out for myself, otherwise I’m worse than a bad mother! This is connected somewhat to my values of freedom, but also being an introvert I need time to recharge and refresh. I’m not saying that because I don’t like being busy or can’t do the hard yards, I’m saying it because it’s what I need to continue being a good (or sometimes bad!) mum. HOWEVER if I take time out to go for a walk with a friend twice a week and let my partner feed and bath them, then I feel guilty (though I’m working on it and getting there). Yet he can go to the footy and not even think about it! Ahh, we mothers need to let go a bit don’t we?
Motherguilt is such an ugly thing. We are damned if we stay at home and we are damned if we go back to work. I’m also finding that we are damned if we choose to work FROM home. And it doesn’t matter what we do, there is just no pleasing some people.
I decided quite some time ago that I would do what I think is best for me and my family. If taking time out to have a massage, facial or catching a movie with my husband or friends and being away from my children is seen by some as being a bad mother, then so be it. Having time out makes me a better mother and there is no way I am going to apologise for that.
Lisa, go for your walks and Kathie, keep blocking out time for you because we need to look after ourselves to be any good to anyone else, including our children.
(Hops off soap box and puts it in the cupboard for next time)