correction : society for american working moms, other countries have 1-3 years paid leave.

I understand what this article is saying. But I don't think it's only American women who face stress and judgement all the time. (I am probably going to get flack for that comment) All mothers do, everyone is constantly judging others for what they do. Then there are people who cannot afford to give their children the life that they wish they could. They cannot afford to feed them or spend time with them (they work jobs back to back because they worry about their child's future.) The world is filled with issues, some bigger then the ones mentioned on the post. Some people feel trapped and they don't know what to do. If you have to date your spouse to keep them interested then there might be an issue. Having a child should be a two person thing, you both wanted to do this now commit to it. As long as you don't go out dressed inappropriately then I don't care. If your choices or actions start to harm your children or the world around you then I will speak up and tell you no. wear

Seriously, who is this “society”? Why is she blaming the stress she caused herself on other people? It’s ultimately every person’s own choice to decide what is a priority in their life. No one can do everything to perfection. To say “i’m doing what’s expected of me and it’s everybody else’s fault that I suck at them” is plainly attention seeking and playing the victim. Take responsibility for your own decisions and stop blaming others and the “society”. You are part of the society. Why not lead by example and show other people how you made the necessary choices to actually lead a mentally healthy life that’s a positive influence on everybody around you?

While I understand that there are single parents out there (my mother-in-law raised 3 boys on her own) I can't help but wonder, where are the husbands, the grandparents, the sisters and brothers that can help out with this? Many Native American cultures have both mom and dad working while the grandparents raise the grandkids. And as expensive as living on your own is these days..it might be time to start building homes where the in-laws and grandparents can live with their kids to help with some of this...even if it's chipping in for expenses to allow one of the parents to stay home...

this is why i hardly ever judge mums, especially mums of new borns and its insane to expect them to come back to work so soon and even more so expect them to make time for all THAT. the most important things in her life should be herself and her family, f**k everything else.

You are enough. :)

Its called "life" sometimes its hard. I have yet to ever meet this society. We have small children, and never has anyone put pressure on me or my wife to have it all. Don't look to Pinterest or social media for parenting styles. Do you think someone is going to post a 2:00am poop clean up? Or do you maybe think people only shown the best parts online? Maybe we should all look on the bright side. Her children seem happy and healthy, for all its faults, the United States is still a great country to live in.

That's cute. Try being a working single mom in Mexico, without a mommy-van, having to commute by bus and subway, spending 1-4 hours in traffic, with no child support and (hopefuly) a mom that will cut you some slack with taking care of the children, but giving you HELL for not having a partner, working too much, earning too few, dressing bad (and THAT'S why you don't have a partner)... No, I'm not a mom... but I know a-plenty of women in this situation.

and Don't forget to ask the government to add another 24hr to the each day

I have twins. Now they are 18 months old. My office job need 12 hours a day arleast but wfh facility is available. So, I handle my baby from 10 am morning to 9 pm night with laptop at table. From 9 pm to 12 pm, one baby on leg(I sit at my bed and then put one pillow on leg), second one in my lap and continous work on laptop. From 12 pm to 2 or 3 am, only laptop. 3 am to 10 am sleep with frequent disturbance as both keep waking up. But when my babies smile, I forgot all tiredness.

Someone complained that parents don't launch campaigns to save the planet for their children. "If I had kids, I would be--" Yes, of course, you would have time and energy left over from work and raising the kids and cleaning up and... I don't doubt there are things parents can do to help the planet (and other causes), but don't complain that they don't care if you haven't shown care about their own lives. My parents did get involved in a few causes, but only once all four children were in late elementary school or highschool.

I love you. Rock on, Mama.

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Just like social media; they expect people to have the same thoughts that other does, and if we don't match theirs, we're considered pariahs. As if by bashing us for being different will make us embrace their terms. Like a cult. People on BP, Pinterest, Deviantart are getting as bad as on Twitter and Instagram.

Shes not using up vacation time, the job she has is salary. and so many days for sick leave and those are paid. and time off for family.

Ahahahah the mean comments are exactly what she's talking about you judging freak shows. You have no idea her marriage Dynamics, I didn't read one time her husband puts her down hits her or the kids cheats on her, didn't say anything about doing it all herself, do you know if he works one two or three jobs or if he travels for work... No she didn't say it at all she was stating the unrealistic expectations of a mom today in America mostly from wealthy, privilege people who look down on others who are supposed to have or be the same way.

6-8 weeks?, woman get a a year off here, dads get 2 weeks.

You mean making a life changing decision like bringing a child into the world makes live more difficult? I thought this would have been figured out sometime in the last 200,000 years.... I guess this is the first woman to struggle with the whole work life balance.

I have two children, 17 and 21. My husband and I both went to college. We made a pact with eachother that IF we were going to start a family, one of us would need to stay home with them, be there for them...raise them. What happened to the mentality of raising your own children? I see this time and time again. No one brings up the fact that you can't "have it all". Do you want a career? Then go after it. Do you want a family? Then you can't have a career. How is it fair to the child or children? They need a lot of your attention and time, and you simply can't give it to them racing them off to daycare for 10 hours a day, and picking them up after dinner time. Having a family is a HUGE commitment that YOU sign up for once you start. Putting the children in daycare is wrong, just so you can have a career? If you want a career, I am all for that, truly. But you can't have your cake and eat it too. Pick one. The family dynamic is getting lost. JMO.

I think mobies add to these expectations on society in a negative way. The mothers are always perfect looking, the kids are perfect, she has an amazing job and has it all together. Of course the husband is expected to go to work, be a jerk, play golf and watch sport and nothing else. My wife does an amazing job and I do my part as well. However society is always expecting more of her and less of me.

So. Much. This.

At least you can be moms...I'll never get that chance

Stop complaining and make a list of things of first world problems. First of all, you choose to do all the things, no one force you to do all those things, and most important you let "society" do these things to you. Second of all, you are not the only one with a busy or difficult life. At least you have your health and a family. What about people that are long time ill or handicapped or has to take care of sick ones for a long time. Don't have self-pity and think of the people that are in a much worst situation. There are and think of them will make you feel better about your own life.

You could just not have kids if you can't handle the situation, or if you can't afford to stay home and raise it instead of paying someone else to do it. Don't make a choice and then complain about the results of your choice.