I was at a dinner party at a friend's on Saturday, where someone brought their insanely adorable 18-month-old daughter. Half French and half Mizo, that girl was too much. She was cranky as hell, because it was past her bedtime, but I managed to coax her out of it, and we had so much fun. My friend, the host, who loves kids too, was very miffed that she took to me, because she doesn't like him much. Cheap thrills. He asked me how I was so good with kids? And I said, I dunno, maybe I was born to be a mother?
At this moment, two of my closest friends have kids, Scoo has a kid (aka the Centre of my Universe, or Her Ladyship), and six people I know are going to have em in the next six months.
It's a very strange time for me. I love all these women (well the ones I know well at any rate), and I'm so happy for them. But it also really hurts every so often, because all I have EVER wanted was to have kids, and I haven't the faintest prospect at the moment. I even think that one of the reasons I have don't have a Career is because I don't care enough about anything more than I do about raising a family. Perhaps the cooking ties into this too, and perhaps that's why cooking is something that does inspire me.
Don't get me wrong, I have no illusions about how exhausting and difficult it is or about how much it can swallow you up, emotionally, physically and mentally. I know it's not roses and kittens. But there's something about kids. They love me; I love them. Maybe because I am not at all self-conscious about 'behaving like a child.' When I'm around a kid I have a legit excuse!
Anyway, the Bride pointed me to this lovely piece, where I got the title of this post from. I wish more people would write things like this, so people have to think about what happens between the cracks. And so they stop saying 'Oh you've got tons of time!' There's only as much time as you want there to be before you start feeling it's too late. If feminism is about choice, then what happens to those who choose they want children? All the freedom means someone like me--who might have had an arranged marriage and kids by now in a different time, and been perfectly happy--is wandering around in circles and questioning her sense of self and belonging.
Of course, you could say that I am not circumstantially infertile because I do want to adopt after all. Still, it's not a financially viable option.
I am terrified though, that I'll be her in the end. Maybe I should be a Montessori school teacher, or run a daycare!
At this moment, two of my closest friends have kids, Scoo has a kid (aka the Centre of my Universe, or Her Ladyship), and six people I know are going to have em in the next six months.
It's a very strange time for me. I love all these women (well the ones I know well at any rate), and I'm so happy for them. But it also really hurts every so often, because all I have EVER wanted was to have kids, and I haven't the faintest prospect at the moment. I even think that one of the reasons I have don't have a Career is because I don't care enough about anything more than I do about raising a family. Perhaps the cooking ties into this too, and perhaps that's why cooking is something that does inspire me.
Don't get me wrong, I have no illusions about how exhausting and difficult it is or about how much it can swallow you up, emotionally, physically and mentally. I know it's not roses and kittens. But there's something about kids. They love me; I love them. Maybe because I am not at all self-conscious about 'behaving like a child.' When I'm around a kid I have a legit excuse!
Anyway, the Bride pointed me to this lovely piece, where I got the title of this post from. I wish more people would write things like this, so people have to think about what happens between the cracks. And so they stop saying 'Oh you've got tons of time!' There's only as much time as you want there to be before you start feeling it's too late. If feminism is about choice, then what happens to those who choose they want children? All the freedom means someone like me--who might have had an arranged marriage and kids by now in a different time, and been perfectly happy--is wandering around in circles and questioning her sense of self and belonging.
Of course, you could say that I am not circumstantially infertile because I do want to adopt after all. Still, it's not a financially viable option.
I am terrified though, that I'll be her in the end. Maybe I should be a Montessori school teacher, or run a daycare!
Hmmm.. I've been thinking. Things usually work out when you don't want them sooooo much, boys or babies. Of course, I've been guilty of the same, but that kind of passion is really scary from the outside. Even when you have a kid it can be oppressive to be mothered too much, right?
ReplyDeleteNot saying give up on what you want and distract yourself with work and goals but one just has to relax about it and be confident it will happen and work towards it calmly. Again, sure easy to say and simple mantra and all of that, but i've seen it happen with me time and again. And at least with boys, it's how things worked out now as well.
C.A.
Aaaaaaaaaaargh, Im so pissed off. I wrote one ramayan of a reply and now the effin thing is gone. Next time on chat. jib.
ReplyDeleteCA: yes. agreed. V scary making stalker-like; people are genuinely worried that they'll let you down etc. My point here is not about love and things, or even about children and wanting them, but just that it's sometimes important to remember that people fall through the cracks.
ReplyDeleteMungi, (just remembered what your blog nickname is hee) damn blogger. did to Bride also.