Mommy Wars

I found myself saying "so what" to a frantic facebook update from a SHAM that I know.  She did have a series of crappy things happen that day to make it a horrible day, but my first thought was- try being a working mom.  Every day is chaotic, frantic, and stressful in some way.  Yes, eventually things become somewhat routine, but my routine day has a level of chaos and stress.  I guess I could say that I was having a bad day if some additional, unforeseen even sprung up to add to my usual stress. 

I've been reflecting on her status update for a few days now and keep coming back to THIS is my version of mommy wars.  My first thought was to write- try being a working mom.  I refrained and posted a simple "ugh, I hope your day gets better."  I knew enough to stop myself from my real thought because it was surely going to start the war.  I typically don't like to engage in the "my life is worse" pissing match, but I admit that the thought crossed my mind when I decided to edit my response to something more heartfelt and less honest. 

Had I started the war, I'm sure a SHAM will quickly point out that I get a break while I'm at work. Yes, it is a break of sorts, but instead of taking care of a baby, I get to deal with the stress of a job.  I wouldn't exactly call it a "break".  I'm sure the next comment would include something about being selfish or not loving my child or how it is child abuse to leave a kid at daycare.  Yup, I know exactly how the conversation would go- like I need to be convinced that life as a SHAM is oh, so hard.  Guess what, regardless of the choices one makes, life is hard and unfair!  That is LIFE! 

In the end, I don't feel guilty (as I've shared here before).  In fact, I know I am a better parent because I go to work everyday.  I'm still breastfeeding at 11 months, which is longer than a lot of moms I know (both SHAM and working).  I hope not to be the start of a mommy war, but unwrapping my reaction to her status definitely made me realize that I could easily start it if I shared my honest thoughts on this or any other "my life is so bad" comment.