I wanted to share funny anecdotes in my little space here but today something happened that I just had to share. A young girl, around sixteen, was reading different online blogs and message boards. Apparently they were the ones most frequented by her mother. She stopped in my space so I got to see her reactions. I cried.
She was instant messenging a friend and the conversation went something like this.
Jane: What are you doing?
Sally: Reading my mom's boards.
Jane: Why are you doing that?
Sally: It helps figure out what mom is irked about now.
Jane: Your mom is upset?
Sally: She's being really grumpy.
Jane: Did you find her problem?
Sally: Yep, it's me again.
Jane: YOU! You're a great daughter. What could she have to complain about?
Sally: I guess I don't have a great enough attitude when I scrub toilets and change diapers.
Jane: Huh?
Sally: Well she posted about how I am always dragging my feet to do my chores and that I am just rushing through once I do start and I don't do them right.
Jane: How much 'right' is there to changing a diaper?
Sally: Apparently I don't notice it needs changing and rush to do it before she can even ask. I dont' know when the last time she changed one was. Probably more recent than I know but I just don't notice. I have all my schoolwork and... oh I don't know.
Jane: I wonder if she's just tired.
Sally: She is. The baby hasn't been sleeping. Everything probably seems worse than it really is but she can't see that. I'll have to be more observant for a while. I know I want more help and sympathy when I'm exhausted.
Jane: Sometimes I wish our moms would just talk to us and be honest.
Sally: Me too. I guess I have it pretty good. Mom did tell everyone how much cooking I've been doing. She wasn't totally trashing me like some of the moms. Honestly, I feel sorry for some of those kids. Nothing they do is good enough. It's like their parents want robotic little automatons.
Jane: Isn't that redundant? Robotic Automaton?
Sally: Well you know what I mean. The kids just exist to make the moms look good.
Jane: I've seen that in the homeschool group. The kid does something great in the co-op class but mom can't praise it because she's too busy slamming the kid for not thanking the teacher before leaving the room.
Sally: Yeah, and the marriages on these boards are terrible. Husbands are into pornography, they can't do anything right with the wives so I guess it's understandable even if it is wrong. The wives are overworked and under appreciated.
Jane: It's like marriage is God's way of punishing people for being people.
Sally: Yeah, something like that. I mean my parents aren't as miserable as some of these people. Mom won't run dad down like that publically but even she makes snide remarks when she thinks no one is listening. Poor dad feels like he can't win.
Jane: Yeah, and we're all walking on eggshells over here. Dad just is a totally different guys these days. We don't ask him for anything, and we try to keep anything annoying away or he just explodes.
Sally: He doesn't get mean does he?
Jane: Oh no, nothing like that. But you know how he is... all laid back and stuff. Lately he just whines and gripes over every little thing. I think he's over worked and overwhelmed.
Sally: Well, I know one thing. I'm never getting married. I've never met anyone who really seemed happy about it ten years later.
Jane: I know what you mean. Only Mrs. Smith seems totally content. He's really a nice guy too.
Sally: YEah, and they have nothing. What's up with that?
Jane: I dont' know but I dont' think I'll chance it. The odds are way off.
Sally: Me either. I guess this is another place we'll totally disappoint our parents huh?
Jane: Probably.
The girls had to get offline. The baby had another messy diaper and Jane's dad was due home. I was sad. I'm sure the girls' views were skewed by misunderstanding but it was sad to see them so jaded already about marriage and children. They tried to be caring and understanding. They loved their parents. They just wanted something more. Something better for themselves. I wonder what their parents would think if they knew the thoughts of those daughters.