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Mom Illustrates What Raising Kids Is Like In 30 Honest Comics
Interview With Artist
Motherhood is full of ups and downs that you don’t get to see if you’re not a parent yourself. That’s one of the things that artist Paula Kuka shows in her witty and truthful illustrations about the reality of raising children.
The Australian artist’s drawings demonstrate that what society sees in public is just the tip of the iceberg. For example, we might spot a mom scrolling her phone while pushing a pram and we’re quick to judge her. But we don’t see all the hundreds of small things she did for her children that day. Much like with professional athletes and skilled musicians, we see the end results, not the hundreds of hours of effort, pain, sweat, and tears that happened offstage.
We bring you some of Paula’s best and insightful illustrations, so be sure to scroll down to the very bottom, and upvote the drawings that you enjoyed. And be sure to let us know in the comments which of Paula’s work you thought was the most illuminating and why.
In an in-depth interview with Bored Panda, Paula revealed how she became an artist, what the challenges of motherhood are, and what her future plans are. Scroll down for the full interview. Especially if you’re artistically inclined because Paula has some great advice for you if you’ve lost your motivation or creativity.
More info: CommonWild.com.au | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
This post may include affiliate links.
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#2
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
God yes. Our daughter is 7 and it still takes 30 minutes just to leave. Long gone are the days of just putting shoes on and grabbing my keys.
“I never had plans to be an artist. When I finished school, I studied landscape architecture at university and went on to work in that profession for about 10 years,” Paula recounted her journey towards becoming an artist. “When I went on maternity leave with my first child, I started drawing as a way to keep creative.”
She explained that she draws digitally and uses the very same technical skills that she used as a landscape architecture. “After I had my second baby a few years later, I started drawing cartoons as a way of documenting our daily lives (because I was useless at writing in their baby books).
“I posted them on Instagram and they very quickly gathered attention from other parents who loved seeing such a relatable view of parenting. I like to talk about some of the challenges of motherhood — the guilt, the frustration, the boredom, as well as the hilarious and heart-warming aspects. It’s important to me to talk openly about these things as I know it can help other parents feel less isolated in what they are going through.”
#5
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago
I always remind her that the sun never really sets, we're just moving around it. When it's dark here it's morning in other parts of the world and we're just sharing the sun until it's our turn again.
Paula revealed to Bored Panda that a few months ago she started doing a weekly cartoon and writing a column in ‘The West’ newspaper in Western Australia. “I am also putting together a book which I hope to have out early next year. And as long as people are enjoying what I am creating, I’ll keep posting and see what opportunities arise,” the artist said about her future plans.
She also had sound advice for artists who are struggling, have lost their motivation or creative sparks: “Opportunities can come in the most unlikely places. Be generous with your time and skills.
“All my greatest opportunities came when I went out on a limb and did something for someone and didn’t expect anything in return.
“Just keep going and stay true to yourself. People resonate the most with authenticity.”
#10
SirPatTheCat 5 years ago
This is kinda like something I heard about dogs that they are only a small part of your life but you are their whole life, so like be the best person you can be to them or something like that — albeit slightly different with a person since you will not be their whole life forever but at baby stage you kind of are
#11
Bob Beltcher 5 years ago (edited)
Ours was like a timer. Every night around 10, 1, and 4 I would change her, feed her and then put her back to sleep while my wife pumped.
Paula’s Common Wild art page has a strong fan base: 92,400 followers on Instagram and another 34,300 fans on Facebook. Meanwhile, the Common Wild Pinterest account gets more than 17,100 views each month. Be sure to follow Paula’s accounts if you enjoy her illustrations.
#13
Gemma Lees 5 years ago (edited)
My Dad spoils my son in a different way. He's an amazing Romany Gypsy elder and has a traditional vardo bow wagon in the back garden and owns a 16 acre woodland which my son refers to as his "big garden". He lets my son make wooden sculptures with various tools, (supervised), and has loads of cool props and puppets and stuff he uses for work. He also writes kids stories and my son appears in a tonne of them and gets to go to events and such with him.
#19
Carol Emory 5 years ago
No..that's why you tell everyone you're going to yoga when you're actually going out to have coffee with friends.
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What do you think ?
Luisa Vasconcelos 5 years ago
That's beautiful. Mother's often feel lonely because no one admitted the struggle. Since I have a excuse to do it (single mother of 2 yo and 4 yo) always admire how many mothers are struggling in silence.
Jesper Rasmussen 5 years ago
Heres some advice from a parent of 3: If you’re not prepared to do the hard work, don’t be a parent. If you are so upset about the kids goes with you to the bathroom, lock the door. Many dads actually do a great job - if not, do something about it. And again: If you really feel like bitching over your life as a parent - then maybe it’s not the right job for you. Kids are wonderful and takes a LOT of work 24-7 for many years. That’s just how it is - accept it.
Lisa Pisa 3 years ago
I think you missed the point of these illustrations. They were not designed to criticise as you are doing. The mother loves her kids, she's just expressing the difficulties in a humourous way. Be a bit more supportive! It's people like you who cause other parents to feel inadequate and depressed. Hate this attitude...
Load More Replies... Zeedy 5 years ago
Lovely comics and very relatable on many levels. I am tired of seeing comments from people who do not relate, or disagree, as if the artist is making some grand statement as a generalization on motherhood everywhere and for all time. This is her personal story, her own experiences. How is it "not fair" when her panels happen to hit on gender stereotypes if it is actually her reality? Just because exceptions exist, families are different, and not everyone fits the cookie cutter mold does not mean that sometimes, on some things, it does! Spread positivity my friends, don't judge, just enjoy!!
Tia Hansen 5 years ago
Well, I’m 14 .-. I don’t know anything about any of this .-. But thanks for the warning!
Azure Adams 5 years ago
You make your choices out of what society tells you to do and unconscious selfishness while in emotion-based mind, then you accept the consequences and everything else without making it everyone else's issue too.
Amanda inspiration 5 years ago
Thank you. I could relate to so many cartoons. It's nice to know we're all goi g through this together
Vital der Schreckliche 5 years ago
That is the reason for existing of grandma, but they won't accept that fact
proof that tony stark has a ❤️ 5 years ago
A very cute and refreshing change from all the "relatable Millenial girl problems" comics that all look the same. These are great!
giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
I loved the pictures, and I respect mothers so much for what they do. At the same time, I've never wanted children, and I've always thought that when a woman has kids she becomes "blackmailable" (if that's even a word in English), because she ends up carrying all the responsibility of the upbringing. From these drawings, life with kids looks like a nightmare, and I'm happy not to have them.
AJu 5 years ago
All this whining about having kids is getting annoying. Don't have any or live with the consequences. Also: what is this about letting kids into the bathroom while you're pooping? If the kid is old enough to understand "close the door" it is probably old enough to be on its own for 10 minutes while you do your business, right?
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
"All this whining about having kids" It is called 'humour'.
Load More Replies... Luisa Vasconcelos 5 years ago
That's beautiful. Mother's often feel lonely because no one admitted the struggle. Since I have a excuse to do it (single mother of 2 yo and 4 yo) always admire how many mothers are struggling in silence.
Jesper Rasmussen 5 years ago
Heres some advice from a parent of 3: If you’re not prepared to do the hard work, don’t be a parent. If you are so upset about the kids goes with you to the bathroom, lock the door. Many dads actually do a great job - if not, do something about it. And again: If you really feel like bitching over your life as a parent - then maybe it’s not the right job for you. Kids are wonderful and takes a LOT of work 24-7 for many years. That’s just how it is - accept it.
Lisa Pisa 3 years ago
I think you missed the point of these illustrations. They were not designed to criticise as you are doing. The mother loves her kids, she's just expressing the difficulties in a humourous way. Be a bit more supportive! It's people like you who cause other parents to feel inadequate and depressed. Hate this attitude...
Load More Replies... Zeedy 5 years ago
Lovely comics and very relatable on many levels. I am tired of seeing comments from people who do not relate, or disagree, as if the artist is making some grand statement as a generalization on motherhood everywhere and for all time. This is her personal story, her own experiences. How is it "not fair" when her panels happen to hit on gender stereotypes if it is actually her reality? Just because exceptions exist, families are different, and not everyone fits the cookie cutter mold does not mean that sometimes, on some things, it does! Spread positivity my friends, don't judge, just enjoy!!
Tia Hansen 5 years ago
Well, I’m 14 .-. I don’t know anything about any of this .-. But thanks for the warning!
Azure Adams 5 years ago
You make your choices out of what society tells you to do and unconscious selfishness while in emotion-based mind, then you accept the consequences and everything else without making it everyone else's issue too.
Amanda inspiration 5 years ago
Thank you. I could relate to so many cartoons. It's nice to know we're all goi g through this together
Vital der Schreckliche 5 years ago
That is the reason for existing of grandma, but they won't accept that fact
proof that tony stark has a ❤️ 5 years ago
A very cute and refreshing change from all the "relatable Millenial girl problems" comics that all look the same. These are great!
giovanna 5 years ago (edited)
I loved the pictures, and I respect mothers so much for what they do. At the same time, I've never wanted children, and I've always thought that when a woman has kids she becomes "blackmailable" (if that's even a word in English), because she ends up carrying all the responsibility of the upbringing. From these drawings, life with kids looks like a nightmare, and I'm happy not to have them.
AJu 5 years ago
All this whining about having kids is getting annoying. Don't have any or live with the consequences. Also: what is this about letting kids into the bathroom while you're pooping? If the kid is old enough to understand "close the door" it is probably old enough to be on its own for 10 minutes while you do your business, right?
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
"All this whining about having kids" It is called 'humour'.
Load More Replies...
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