Discovering what healthy living looks.
This month I’ve written two more blog posts for Families Online and I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
See my soppy side revealed in 5 ways Valentine’s day has changed since having a baby; and read a work rant in My pet-peeve about part-time jobs for mums!
I’ve had the honour to write regularly for familiesonline.co.uk over the last year and I would love to share these posts with you, and hear your thoughts on them.
To read my latest post ‘The one question I dread as a mixed raced mum’ visit www.familiesonline.co.uk/blog and to have a read of some of my other parenting related rants, loves and observations go to www.familiesonline.co.uk/blog/blogger-chloe-lovell.
Plus, if you’re looking for the latest parenting news, places to go and reviews, be sure to check in often with www.familiesonline.co.uk.
As always, thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed the trip!
Chloe x
A few weeks back I was showing my new arm muscles (aka the guns) to my husband and daughter and boasting about how well my new gym routine is going. My husband was actually quite impressed for a change. He then turned to my daughter and said “look how strong mummy is”. Her reply was, “girls are pretty not strong”.
I was taken back by her response and asked her to repeat what she said in case I misheard. She went on to tell us how girls can’t be strong but they can be pretty. I was horrified, shocked and deeply upset to hear her say that. As you can imagine we were both quick to inform her that girls can most definitely be strong and being pretty wasn’t important. To which she asked “am I pretty?”. Then I blurted out, “of course you are” (what parent would ever think or say no), but this confused the whole issue and got me wondering ‘have I being putting too much emphasis on being pretty without realising it?’.
I’d like to think that this view of her’s had not be formulated in my house and she picked it up elsewhere, but on reflection I am always commenting on how ‘pretty’ her clothes are, and I know I do it to her friends too. Why this has left her thinking she can’t be strong is more puzzling; perhaps I don’t emphasise how impressed I am with her strength (inner and outer) and all the amazing skills she’s learned in just three years. Are we all guilty of this? How often do you see a girl and say “wow what a pretty dress”. Would you say the same to a boy?
I’m actively trying to comment less on how she (and her pals) look and focus on all the other amazing things all these little ones are capable of and ask them questions instead – which sounds basic, but something I clearly to be aware.
I’m glad to share that she now says she is strong (and pretty too)!
Thanks for reading,
Chloe x
Before having my daughter I was certain I’d go back to work full-time. As my maternity leave came to an end I had an overwhelming feeling that I just couldn’t work full time, but I definitely didn’t want to say bye-bye to my career. A potentially long story short, I became a freelance writer/editor hoping for…
What I didn’t anticipate was the amount of guilt I had over…
Mum guilt affects 5 in 5 mums*
Where am I going with this? From time to time I find it reassuring to hear how other mums feel the same – be it working** or stay-at-home mums. I was about to share several snippets from various bloggers and articles I’ve read, when I stumbled across the below which says it all so wonderfully; and I love the suggestions on how this blogger (follow @dippyeggplease) aims to let go of her mum guilt – so have a read!
www.selfishmother.com/letting-go-of-the-mum-guilt
While it’s obviously not nice for anyone to feel guilty over so many things, I’m thankful to those below who have shared their honest thoughts and experiences of this parenting malarkey – because it really isn’t always easy and I’m glad it’s not just me that can feel ridden with all sorts of guilt.
Notes
* No actual studies were carried out, I have made this up but I bet it’s true!
**Why do working mums have a label, you really don’t hear people say he’s a ‘working dad’!