I’m not going to deny that I was sort of a “bitchy” person before I got pregnant. I was just passive aggressive and kept things to myself. Sometimes I was even good at hiding my bad mood. No, pills aren’t needed. It’s in my blood. My dad’s side of the family has a history of tempers. Things have turned for the worse after pregnancy. I am more vocal and don’t keep things in anymore especially when it involves my step-MIL (I will save that story for another blog). Is it part of PPD? I have no idea. I always wondered why my niece’s mom (who is also my friend) was such a moody bitch after giving birth to my niece. Now here I am…
I read an article about a mom who blamed motherhood for being a bitch. Her excuses were:
1. Those first three months were my initiation into bitch-hood. I was exclusively pumping and chained to my Medela, couldn’t drink alcohol, and sleep-deprived. I wanted people to help me, but when they did, it wasn’t right. I didn’t like handing over my new baby to my MIL, or even my sister, because I felt like I should do it all.
2. All around sleep deprivation: Ask any new mom what she wants for Christmas this year and she’ll tell you: “sleep”. It’s always something: they need to be swaddled, they’re teething, they’re overtired, they’re going through separation anxiety… the list goes on. No sleep = no patience. No patience = total bitch.
3. Everyone has an opinion. Once you utter the words, “I’m Pregnant”, that’s pretty much fair game for everyone and anyone to chime in and give their expert opinion. Don’t eat that. Eat more of this. Rest. Exercise. Breastfeeding is better. Formula is fine. He needs socks. He should be walking. SHUT UP ALREADY, before I punch you in the throat.
4. My body is not the same. I get it, growing a human is a big deal—its a miraculous and amazing thing. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be completely pissed off that I will never fit into my favorite jeans ever again because my hips have decided they never want to revert back to their original state. Or that I’ve just given up on wearing Victoria’s Secret bras and have instead incorporated a multitude of sports bras that aren’t for “sports” at all. Let me complain about how long it took me to lose the baby weight even though I willfully put on 50+ pounds from all the ice cream I ate while pregnant. I’ll never get that pre-baby body back, so yes, I’m going to bitch about it.
5. I love being a mom, but every once in a while, I need some time to myself. I don’t want to have to wipe anybody’s ass, get toys thrown in my face, plan my day around someone else’s sleep habits (or lack thereof..) I want to do things by myself that go un-interrupted. Like spend 4 hours pinning awesome DIY crafts that I’ll never do or those 18-step recipes that I’ll never actually make. I want to eat a hamburger in my bed at 3 p.m. while watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix. I need this time alone at least once a week, otherwise, prepare for the total bitch-mode that I will unleash on you, most likely when you first walk in the door after coming home from work.
For me, I only agree with #4. I was getting advice after advice, even from non-mothers, on what I should/should not eat, what/what not to do, etc. I was getting frustrated. I wonder if that pushed me over the edge. I would never say it’s motherhood’s fault for being the way I am. I hope, eventually, everything will change for the better.
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