Comments on: The Invisible Woman http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/ mom's search for meaning Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:54:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jordan http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5587 Jordan Fri, 09 May 2008 07:26:42 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5587 Due to a number of violent, hateful comments on this piece (yeah, really), I have decided that we must close the comments. Unfortunately, it appears that a number of people, most of whom are not brave enough to make themselves actually 'visible' with a real name, email address or URL, have chosen to make this blog a platform to their own unhappiness and failure to accept the fact that scrubbing floors, changing diapers and making and enforcing rules is thankless work which will almost definitely go unnoticed by anyone but God himself. I'm sorry that so many people missed the point of this poignant essay (which I did not write, thank you). But frankly, abusing me personally is never an acceptable way to try and make a point. Not only does it violate the comment policy of this blog, but it violates the common rule your mother may have had for you: if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. If you would like to look around a bit more, I actually write on the topic of <strong>finding fulfillment in motherhood</strong>, finding value in our own lives with or without the validation of outside sources (and yes, your kids and husbands are "outside sources"). If you would like to engage in an honest and open conversation on this topic, please visit any of the other posts on this topic. Else, please see yourself on to other websites; I've been "enlightened" enough, thanks. <em>Edited to add</em>: For those of you who find this post offensive because it allegedly encourages mothers to accept that they're invisible, please see <a href="http://www.mamablogga.com/i-am-a-mother-are-you/" rel="nofollow">my interpretation of the message of this piece.</a> Due to a number of violent, hateful comments on this piece (yeah, really), I have decided that we must close the comments.

Unfortunately, it appears that a number of people, most of whom are not brave enough to make themselves actually ‘visible’ with a real name, email address or URL, have chosen to make this blog a platform to their own unhappiness and failure to accept the fact that scrubbing floors, changing diapers and making and enforcing rules is thankless work which will almost definitely go unnoticed by anyone but God himself. I’m sorry that so many people missed the point of this poignant essay (which I did not write, thank you).

But frankly, abusing me personally is never an acceptable way to try and make a point. Not only does it violate the comment policy of this blog, but it violates the common rule your mother may have had for you: if you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.

If you would like to look around a bit more, I actually write on the topic of finding fulfillment in motherhood, finding value in our own lives with or without the validation of outside sources (and yes, your kids and husbands are “outside sources”).

If you would like to engage in an honest and open conversation on this topic, please visit any of the other posts on this topic. Else, please see yourself on to other websites; I’ve been “enlightened” enough, thanks.

Edited to add: For those of you who find this post offensive because it allegedly encourages mothers to accept that they’re invisible, please see my interpretation of the message of this piece.

]]> By: Renae http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5581 Renae Thu, 08 May 2008 20:34:55 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5581 Where are the tissues? Thanks for reminding me yet again that my work is valuable even if it isn't seen. Where are the tissues? Thanks for reminding me yet again that my work is valuable even if it isn’t seen.

]]> By: Lindsey http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5574 Lindsey Thu, 08 May 2008 04:07:16 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5574 Amen, Jordan. Amen. Amen, Jordan. Amen.

]]> By: Jordan http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5571 Jordan Thu, 08 May 2008 00:09:59 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5571 I'm sorry that you don't sympathize with the author. But I still believe that the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of the work that mothers do WILL go unnoticed and unappreciated. Granted, the speaker in the story could do more to make sure that people look at her. But behaving like a shrew is more likely to alienate the people that she'd most like to see and recognize her efforts. The philosophy that "Men Are Slime" also prompts the question: then why marry or reproduce at all? Why would we want recognition from "Slime" or the possibility of creating more "Slime" in the first place? If we can't show any respect whatsoever for men, why should we expect respect as women? I’m sorry that you don’t sympathize with the author. But I still believe that the fact of the matter is that the vast majority of the work that mothers do WILL go unnoticed and unappreciated. Granted, the speaker in the story could do more to make sure that people look at her. But behaving like a shrew is more likely to alienate the people that she’d most like to see and recognize her efforts.

The philosophy that “Men Are Slime” also prompts the question: then why marry or reproduce at all? Why would we want recognition from “Slime” or the possibility of creating more “Slime” in the first place?

If we can’t show any respect whatsoever for men, why should we expect respect as women?

]]> By: Marlena Kazuiko http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5570 Marlena Kazuiko Wed, 07 May 2008 23:30:14 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5570 I think it's sentimental crap. Sorry, but that's how I feel. That woman has to grow the guts to stand up and be noticed. Her little boy doesn't see her? What??? OK, little buddy, want to get to school today? Ask nobody. Yes, kid, I'm nobody you said the other day, so today nobody is taking you to school. When you decide that I'm somebody, I'll take you there. And hubby dear, the next time you ignore me at a party, you'll have to get a cab to get home 'cause the Invisible Woman is driving herself home. SHE can see herself, so she's driving. Try that, honey, and the "men" will see you. Remember, Men Are Slime. I think it’s sentimental crap. Sorry, but that’s how I feel. That woman has to grow the guts to stand up and be noticed. Her little boy doesn’t see her? What??? OK, little buddy, want to get to school today? Ask nobody. Yes, kid, I’m nobody you said the other day, so today nobody is taking you to school. When you decide that I’m somebody, I’ll take you there. And hubby dear, the next time you ignore me at a party, you’ll have to get a cab to get home ’cause the Invisible Woman is driving herself home. SHE can see herself, so she’s driving.

Try that, honey, and the “men” will see you. Remember, Men Are Slime.

]]> By: Traceellements http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5568 Traceellements Wed, 07 May 2008 18:54:22 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5568 I'm one of those women and I know plenty more where that came from and so I'll be sending this to all of them in hopes of giving them the same hopeful feeling I just got from reading this beautiful entry. Thanks, it sure does help knowing you're not alone in feeling that way. Tracy I’m one of those women and I know plenty more where that came from and so I’ll be sending this to all of them in hopes of giving them the same hopeful feeling I just got from reading this beautiful entry.
Thanks, it sure does help knowing you’re not alone in feeling that way.
Tracy

]]> By: Jordan http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5565 Jordan Wed, 07 May 2008 15:47:21 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5565 @Jara—Great point. @Jennifer—Thanks for posting that link! @Jara—Great point.

@Jennifer—Thanks for posting that link!

]]> By: Jules http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5564 Jules Wed, 07 May 2008 15:36:33 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5564 Wow, that is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing! Wow, that is so beautiful!

Thank you for sharing!

]]> By: Jennifer (Et Tu?) http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5563 Jennifer (Et Tu?) Wed, 07 May 2008 12:39:56 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5563 What a perfect thought for Mother's Day! I've seen that article before and often think of it, especially that great line, "Because God sees." How eloquent. FYI, it was originally written by Nicole Johnson for Parenthood.com here: http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/article-topics.php?Article_ID=10240 I've often wondered if she knows that her article is so famous all over the world! Happy Mother's Day early. :) What a perfect thought for Mother’s Day! I’ve seen that article before and often think of it, especially that great line, “Because God sees.” How eloquent.

FYI, it was originally written by Nicole Johnson for Parenthood.com here:
http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/article-topics.php?Article_ID=10240

I’ve often wondered if she knows that her article is so famous all over the world!

Happy Mother’s Day early. :)

]]> By: Nancy SV http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5562 Nancy SV Wed, 07 May 2008 12:38:07 +0000 http://www.mamablogga.com/the-invisible-woman/#comment-5562 I love that story!! I first read that probably three or four years ago - but it all came back immediately upon reading the very first sentence - powerful indeed. I am trying the very best I know how to build my cathedral - although a very odd manner I guess I should say. My husband and I are about to take off to ride our bikes from Alaska to Argentina - with our ten-year-old twins!! We can't wait to get on the road and I'm sure it will be a fabulous experience for our boys. You can read of our journey at www.familyonbikes.org I love that story!! I first read that probably three or four years ago – but it all came back immediately upon reading the very first sentence – powerful indeed.

I am trying the very best I know how to build my cathedral – although a very odd manner I guess I should say. My husband and I are about to take off to ride our bikes from Alaska to Argentina – with our ten-year-old twins!! We can’t wait to get on the road and I’m sure it will be a fabulous experience for our boys.

You can read of our journey at http://www.familyonbikes.org

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