A few months back, bestselling author Jenny Hart, known for titles such as Please Forgive My Son, You Had Me At Woof, Love At First Bark, and Friendship Matters, graciously interviewed me to promote my book, Motherhood Comes Naturally. I owe her a debt of gratitude for her time, which I regrettably delayed sharing. However, it’s better late than never, so here’s a recap of our conversation. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend exploring her works—they’re insightful and timely.
1. Misconceptions in Motherhood
In your humor-infused new book, the chapters are categorized by common misconceptions. One that resonated with me was “You Are Your Own Harshest Critic.” Which misconception inspired you first?
That was likely the most straightforward to write. Just last week, my son told his little brother, who was in the midst of a tantrum, that he was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever seen. And believe me, he’s seen me in my pajamas! The statement “It Gets Easier” was the misconception that started everything. It’s so easy to see a new mom struggling and reassure her that things will improve. But let’s be honest: those early days, when your newborn sleeps more than they’re awake and only requires feeding and changing? That’s about as easy as it gets. Sorry to break it to you, new moms!
2. Celebrating Unique Holidays
I found your list of holidays that overshadow Mother’s Day amusing. I was delighted to see National Bologna Day falls the day before my birthday. How do you plan to celebrate Hairstyle Appreciation Day?
Living in Baltimore, I believe a bouffant is a must for this occasion. It’s an underrated holiday that definitely deserves more recognition!
3. Scary Mom Moments
Your candidness as a mother is refreshing. Have you ever experienced a “scary mom” moment that you found too intense to include in your writing?
I get pretty real in my book. The scariest feeling is when your child drives you to the brink of frustration, and you just want to scream. It’s a paradox—loving someone fiercely while wanting to pull your hair out. I debated including that chapter, but I figured someone had to address these feelings.
4. Judging Other Parents
One of the joys of motherhood is the occasional opportunity to judge others. I once saw a mom give her child candy to keep him awake during a dinner party. Have you had a similar “smug” moment?
Absolutely! I once spotted a mother in a grocery store at midnight with a hyper child sipping a Coke. Why on earth would a child be awake at that hour? But then, I found myself at a late-night pharmacy with my own child, who had just been released from the ER for stomach pains. They suggested a soda might help, so there I was, at 11:30 PM, with a Sprite in hand. It taught me to hold off on judging, as I’m sure others were judging me!
5. Feedback from Non-Parents
I think your book would make a great gift for those who have chosen not to have children. What kind of feedback have you received from that audience?
Those individuals appreciate my perspective! They view my books and blog as validation of their decision. I also think it could be an effective form of birth control—if every teenager had access to my book, I suspect unplanned pregnancies would significantly decrease.
6. Defining the Worst Mother
Recently, my daughter labeled me the worst mother for denying her a certain app download. I used to think the worst mothers were those who neglected their children; now I’m unsure. Who do you think qualifies as the worst mothers?
Oh, you’ve been deemed the worst mother? My daughter told me the same for not allowing her to go shopping for the third time this month! In kids’ eyes, the worst mothers are often the ones who care the most: those who ensure their children don’t make poor choices and get enough fresh air. But my kids also tell me I “don’t understand anything,” so what do I know?
This conversation originally took place several months ago. For more insightful stories and discussions, feel free to visit our blog.
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In summary, the discussion sheds light on the complexities of motherhood, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the importance of open conversations about parenting challenges. Jenny Hart’s humorous yet honest take on parenting resonates with a wide audience, providing both entertainment and validation for mothers everywhere.
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