Do you remember the pressure you put on yourself, as a young Mom? I certainly do!
Back in the 70's, one big dilemma was deciding whether to be a working Mom or a stay-at -home
Mom. For the working Moms, it was "How will the kids fare in daycare?" For the stay-at-home Moms, it was "Is one salary gonna do it for the family?" No matter if it's at home or in the workplace, mothers "work" and no matter where you were, your heart was where your kids were, most of the time.
Breastfeeding was another topic that ignited the passion on opposing sides. It wasn't for everyone and those who thought it was, were vocal. I remember the La Leche League, a group dedicated to educating women on the benefits of breastfeeding, had meetings advertised in our newspaper... I was invited but said, "no thanks"...I don't need a meeting for THAT... That's something I'll handle myself"...
Whether to start a preschooler at an early age..or hold one back from kindergarten was another dilemma that many Moms had -and have -to face. "Are they ready?" "Am I ready?" "Should my son play football?" Should my daughter take dance lessons?" Those kinds of decisions seemed so big at the time....and they were.... As new Moms, we had a lot to learn - and to decide.
As long as there are Moms, there are going to be decisions to be made about what's best for our kids, our families, ourselves. Things that are just assumed now were real "stumpers" back in the day. And there will be new "stumpers" for Moms that we old Moms can't even imagine.
I'm proud to say, after all the soul-searching, decision-making and wringing of hands through the years, I have three reasonably "normal" sons...and maintained my sanity (most would say). I guess the message here, is ... Relax, Moms, don't overthink things, and enjoy your kids. They turn out --- in spite of us.
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