Social media posts may go viral for any number of different reasons. Some of them are so crazy that it just seems to capture people’s attention and others are just in the right place at the right time. Every once in a while, however, a post goes viral because it tells a common truth in a refreshing way.
That is the reason why a Facebook post has recently gone viral because it laid out the extreme pressure that working mothers and mothers in general experience.
Sarah Buckley Friedberg posted the information talking about the impossible tasks that women must complete when they are a mother. At the same time, they need to hold up their mental and physical health and maintain a positive attitude.
“Society to working moms:
-Go back to work 6-8 weeks after having the baby. The baby that you spent 9-10 months growing inside of your body. Go back to work before you have finished healing or have had time to bond with your baby. Keep your mind on work, and not
The post talks about how mothers need to return to the workplace shortly after giving birth while at the same time, breastfeeding and getting their pre-pregnancy body back.
“Also breastfeed for at least a year. So take 2-3 pumping breaks a day at work, but don’t let it throw you off your game or let you lose your focus.
-Also, lose that baby weight and get back in shape, as quickly and as gracefully as possible. Make sure to get 8 hours of sleep a night so you can work out, work, and care for your family. But also get up at 5 am to workout, unless you want to do it after your kids go to bed when you also need to clean the house and get life ready for the next day and you know, sleep.”
In addition, mothers need to keep a well decorated and tidy home along with maintaining a family schedule.
“Maintain a clean,
On top of it all, children grow very quickly and require a lot of medical care and clothing. You also need to weigh in the cost of any pets, both emotionally and financially.”
“In case nobody told you, if you have more than one kid you will need to buy new shoes approximately every other day. See also: winter coats, shorts, pants that aren’t 4 inches too short. There will never be matching socks or gloves for any member of the family, ever again.
-Remember the dog you got before you had kids? Shes getting old now and needs expensive surgery. She also need walking, a new bed, and she smells pretty bad.”
“Hey! Kids need lots of doctor appointments. Monthly as babies. Every time they are sick. Specialist appointments, especially if any of them have extra needs. At least two school conferences a year. IEP meetings, if applicable. Parents night. Back to school night. Get to know your school night (what IS this). Most parents are volunteering at least once during the year, would you like to come make a craft with the kids? It will only be an hour or two of your time.”
Mothers can also use a nice vacation but doctor’s appointments eat up the majority of the time they have set aside for it.
“Sorry, you are now out of vacation time because you used it all for time taking your kids to appointments or when your childcare is unavailable. You should go on vacations though. It’s good to relax and unwind from work. Makes you a better employee.
-Don’t forget the kids need healthy meals (and so do you! you are trying to lose that last 20 lbs before swim season right). That requires meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep on the weekend. But also hang out with your kids on the weekend since during the week you only get to hang out with them when they are exhausted and angry that you made the wrong kind of spaghetti for dinner.”
You also need to consider everything from cultivating personal hobbies to having a date night with your spouse. Your social life should not be neglected.
“Date your spouse! It’s important to keep your relationship alive and fresh. Try to go out 1-2 times a month. Good, kid free time. Hire a babysitter, they charge 22+ dollars an hour in your area so make sure to take out an extra mortgage and/or work another job to be able to afford this.
-Oh hey you should have a hobby too. It’s important to have “you time”. Also be well read, keep up with the latest pop culture and tv shows, and keep an eye on politics and be able to discuss at least one of the above on the small chance you are out in public and encounter another adult necessitating small talk.”
“Make sure to have friends. Social time is SO important. Surely there is an hour or two left in the week after all of the working, appointments, exercising, cooking, scheduling, cleaning, imparting lifelong morals and learning on the kids, the usual. Maybe go out after the kids are down for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. Make it a healthy bite though. And you may regret that wine at your 530 am spin class.”
Exercising and staying in shape should also be a priority. After all, you should have plenty of leftover time and energy for it.
“Self care though. SO important. See also: getting in shape. See the general doctor, the dentist (TWICE), the lady doctor. Prob need to get your eyes checked. Full body skin checks 2+ times a year (just me? okay well). Mental health too. Postpartum anxiety? But you look fine and your kids are so cute. Everyone should have a therapist. Good luck finding one that takes your insurance and has hours outside of your normal working time (out of vacation time, remember?). That leaves evening time when you want to hang out with your kids. But it’s important, so make time for it.”
She also talked about the pressures that moms have to present themselves in a way that keeps them from getting memed.
“Don’t wear yoga pants and a mom bun or society is going to mock you in numerous witty blog posts. Never mind that nothing fits. Going to have to get up even earlier so you have time to style your hair, wing your eye liner and search for a pair of pants that fits your new post baby (or multiple baby) shape.”
To sum things up, she talked about the impossible messages that will seemingly come from every direction. Mothers are often told to ‘slow down’ and savor the time available with their children because life moves quickly.
“Get off your phone, turn off the TV, and enjoy your life. Enjoy your kids. THESE ARE THE GOOD TIMES make sure to love every minute of life because before you know it all of this will be in the past.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to lean OUT. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.”
It wasn’t long before Friedberg’s post went viral and it has tens of thousands of likes and still going strong.
https://www.facebook.com/sarah.buckleyfriedberg/posts/10100880594353836