Tags
boring, boring moms, mom, mom wisdom, mommy, sahm, selfie, stay at home mom
I was inspired to write this post because as of late I have come across a few experiences (some friends’, some my own) that have really irritated me. I’m just gonna put it out there.
Moms of my generation: You’re boring me to tears. I will explain.
A friend of mine was at her daughter’s gymnastics class when her senses were assaulted with another mom talking about her cold she was suffering from in graphic detail. LOUD details. This woman wasn’t even speaking to my friend, she was conversing with another poor soul – across the room – about mucus color, consistency, amount…she went on and on and on. I know you are probably thinking, “Gross, but there are always rude and inconsiderate people in this world.” We’ve all seen ’em…the type who think that EVERYTHING they have to say is just riveting to everybody else. Well, yes. There certainly are those types of people. And they seem to be multiplying. Thus, the birth of the “overshare.”
Which leads me to a theory: Social media has created a generation of people who are completely self-absorbed, over-sharing, crashing bores. For instance, how many bathroom selfies have you seen come up on your newsfeed today? How many tweets have you read about what someone is eating for lunch? And haven’t we all seen enough, “Hi, I’m waiting at a traffic light, so I’m just gonna snap a quick pic of myself” ridiculousness? When did this become okay, people???
This is forgivable if you are in high school. Pretty much everyone is a self-absorbed bag of awkward at that age, thinking the world revolves around you (remember Bella from Twilight?), but lately, I’ve seen lots and lots of 20-30 something year old moms doing this. Here’s a hint moms: Nobody wants to see you posing in your bathroom (with the empty toilet paper roll in the background and your gross looking threadbare towel hanging haphazardly on the towel bar) like you’re 15. The truth is, your kids are probably beating on the door, hands reaching under while crying. And if they’re not, then you really need to worry because they’re probably getting into something they shouldn’t be (in which case you have no business wasting time taking selfies). Instead, wash that towel and replace the empty TP roll.
Bathroom selfies, albeit annoying, aren’t my main gripe here, however. My biggest complaint would be the lack of interesting conversation when I am hanging out with my “Mom-friends.” If I have to listen to one more detail about your kid’s poop – size, consistency, shape, color…my head is going to explode into a mushroom cloud of boredom and tears. As a rule, I don’t want to hear about any of these things in great detail: Poop, pee, vomit, illnesses and doctor’s visits, food allergies, your work out, and ANYTHING that has to do with your menstrual cycle. BOoOoooOoorinnnngggggg! (and gross, too.)
I understand that being a SAHM (like myself) can get mundane, but that’s why I suggest getting a hobby outside of your kids. Pick up a book once in a while, for Pete’s sake! Don’t you want to be an interesting person to talk to? How about this: Instead of updating your FB status/tweeting about how many reps you did at the gym, why not do something worthwhile? Read a chapter in a book, improve your skills, create something, call a friend instead of texting her, or better yet, invite that fellow SAHM over for coffee and vow at the beginning of the visit that you going to talk about something other than your kids.
Learn to be a really great listener. Be a blessing to others. Sometimes I think we get so caught up in our own little digital world that we forget that there are REAL people who may need our wisdom, or even better – REAL older moms (who’s kids are older or grown) who might be able to give US some wisdom! These moms raised their kids without all the digital media we have now, and lots of them are very interesting ladies. Glean some insight from them – you just might learn something if you shut your yapper about yourself for two seconds!
All I’m saying is this: We have become the most self-absorbed, self-involved, self-picture-taking, uninteresting generation. I hope I can be different. I hope I can teach my kids to be different. I hope to teach them manners, tact, and when it’s time to just shut up.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:…a time to be silent and a time to speak,”
The Operatic Armywife 