MOTHERHOOD - THE MYTHS AND THE REALITY
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Firstly, I make no apology for calling this entry motherhood (rather than parenthood). In my experience, for the vast majority families, the mother is still the chief care giver. When I became a mother, I had a whole lot of expectations about the experience. A lot of them proved to be wrong. I also had to deal with other peoples expectations.
BREAST FEEDING
The Myth - It's natural, so you'll know what to do and the baby will know what to do.
The Reality - It's hard work. Very hard. You have to learn and the baby has to learn. Most mother's I talk to agree that no one warns you when you're pregnant about how difficult it will be. It is just not talked about.
DISCIPLINE
The Myth - It's shared by both parents.
The Reality - Again, because for the most families, mum is the one who is there most of the time, she does most of the disciplining. In some families, if dad stays home and mum works, this may be reversed perhaps. I don't know anyone in that position, so can't comment. But even where both parents work, I get the impression mum still disciplines the most.
This is a work in progress. More to come.
BREAST FEEDING
The Myth - It's natural, so you'll know what to do and the baby will know what to do.
The Reality - It's hard work. Very hard. You have to learn and the baby has to learn. Most mother's I talk to agree that no one warns you when you're pregnant about how difficult it will be. It is just not talked about.
DISCIPLINE
The Myth - It's shared by both parents.
The Reality - Again, because for the most families, mum is the one who is there most of the time, she does most of the disciplining. In some families, if dad stays home and mum works, this may be reversed perhaps. I don't know anyone in that position, so can't comment. But even where both parents work, I get the impression mum still disciplines the most.
This is a work in progress. More to come.
