My husband is going to see his mother, wearing his, "I Beat Anorexia" t-shirt.

I often wish I could have a do over at motherhood. I sure put my son through some crap. I was woefully unprepared and completely alone most of the time. I made so many horrible mistakes that I probably would not make now. I did a lot right, but I also failed at so much of it. Mother's Day brings out much guilt for me.

Sadly my extremely selfish narcissist father and my mother being abandoned by her birth father, the patterns that were established in my family persisted beyond generations.
It was very strange to be pregnant at age 31, wanting my baby so badly, yet my son's father and my own damn father, did not want me to have a baby at all. I didn't realize it at the time, but they projected their own inability to parent, onto me. I could have been a much better mother if I had their reassurance and guidance. Instead I was rejected and condemned. Whenever I see a man out in public, who is doting on their children, I always smile and rejoice for them. Parents need encouragement, not discouragement.
Sometimes typical American society can be very anti parent, disguised as so called concern and discipline. Love and compassion is a bit more difficult to muster sometimes.

Happy Mother’s Day, Moms. Have a good one 🩷🌸