Harriette Cole: My mother's revelation puts my childhood in a different light
Briefly

A mother confided her true feelings about motherhood to her adult child, stating she never really enjoyed the experience and found it overwhelming. She expressed love for her children but admitted she felt a burden by the responsibilities of parenting. Her honesty created complex feelings for the child, who reflected on their childhood and wondered if this impacted their relationship. The child considered whether to discuss these feelings with the mother, seeking to address their mixed emotions and explore their past together.
My mother confided in me that she never really enjoyed being a mother, despite loving me and my siblings. The day-to-day experience was overwhelming and exhausting for her.
She admitted that raising us felt like a burden she never wanted, and if she could go back, she wouldn't have had kids at all.
I'm trying to understand her honesty because parenting is hard, especially for women of her generation. Yet, her words stung and I'm reprocessing my childhood with this new perspective.
A mother's admission can be an opening for candid communication about the past. Compassion is crucial in discussing feelings and reactions from childhood.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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