You know what, fellow mamas? We’re doing it again.
Whether we’ve realized it or not, we’ve drug another mama through the mud. Whether we’ve realized it or not, we’ve initiated yet another round of The Mommy Wars.
The opponent? This time it’s Gwyneth Paltrow.
If you have yet to hear, actress Gwyneth Paltrow made unpopular statements (this past month) regarding the difficulties experienced as a mother on set (in the movies–on screen if you will). In an interview with E!News, Paltrow stated the following:
“I think it’s different when you have an office job, because it’s routine and you can do all the stuff in the morning and then you come home in the evening. When you’re shooting a movie, they’re like, ‘We need you to go to Wisconsin for two weeks,’ and then you work 14 hours a day and that part of it is very difficult. I think to have a regular job and be a mom is not as, of course there are challenges, but it’s not like being on set.”
Her words, opinion, and self-admitted struggles managed to set off a storm of controversy. Moms took to social media, sounded off on their blogs, and blasted her in the media.
But why?
Because in all honesty, I can’t begin to fathom the life of a celebrity mom, nor am I aware of the long nights (and early mornings) spent on location–away from my family. And even though assistance is plentiful, and Gwyneth has everything at her disposal, I won’t pretend to know what it’s like to keep up with her schedule. Just as I’m unaware of how it feels to shield my children from the media, paparazzi, and other issues associated with fame either.
I don’t “get” any of that…but maybe you and I? Maybe we should try. Maybe we should attempt to relate to Paltrow’s plight by realizing that the struggles of motherhood? They’re universal–no matter who we are, or what we do.
Maybe we should give her some grace.
Besides, Gwyneth wasn’t stating that her life as a mom was harder than ours. Rather, she relayed the challenges her career presented were different. And they are.
I’ve often dreamt of a lifestyle that would afford me an endless supply of help—a life like that of a celebrity. Personal chefs, housekeepers, and assistants would indeed be sublime, but I don’t think that’s the point here.
In fact, I don’t think we have the right to be angered by Paltrow’s comments when we possess luxuries most mamas around the world don’t. When others can view us in the same light. We can’t necessarily complain about the laundry when so many live without clean, running water. We shouldn’t grumble over the state of our homes when much of the world’s population still dwells in poverty.
Think about it, friends.
Like us, Gwyneth is a mom. She trudges through the same trenches, and she struggles like we do. True, she may enjoy many of the comforts we don’t, but no matter how much money one has, how big of a house one lives in, or how glamorous one’s profession might appear to be, motherhood is still hard…period.
So, let’s support each other. Let’s employ empathy. Let’s stop the Mommy Wars…for good.
What do you think? Were Gwyneth’s comments totally out of line? Or were they misunderstood?
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