One mother is participating in the popular “we’re moms” trend to express the realities of parenting, especially with younger children, during the holiday season.
“We’re moms. While we create Christmas joy for the whole family, no one does the same for us,” shared Renee Reina, a mother to a 5-year-old son, in a viral TikTok video.
In another segment, Reina reiterates, “As moms, we’ll be surrounded by acquaintances during the holidays, yet meaningful conversations will be scarce.”
The host of the “The Mom Room” podcast, Reina, revealed that her motivation to create the video stemmed from observing fellow mothers navigating the challenges of the festive period with young children. Recalling the initial four years of her son’s life, she reflected on the added complexities of holiday celebrations during that period.
“I distinctly recall how challenging and somewhat unenjoyable the holidays and family gatherings were when my son was younger,” Reina shared with “Good Morning America.” “It’s a paradox because you anticipate the holidays eagerly, but when they arrive, it’s a different story.”
Reina vividly remembers instances where she would be upstairs tending to her son’s bedtime routine while overhearing the merriment downstairs, a scene she recreated in her TikTok video.
“We, as moms, eagerly prepare our children for bed while everyone else downstairs revels in the festivities,” she expressed in the video.
Reflecting on her TikTok video, Reina received numerous responses from mothers and even some fathers sharing their own experiences and sentiments.
One commenter noted, “As moms, we purchase and wrap our own gifts to avoid questions from our children about the lack of presents for us,” while another added, “Our stockings, as moms, remain empty.”
“We’re moms,” another comment read. “We ensure everyone else is ready and presentable, yet we find ourselves still in the shower when guests arrive.”
Reina anticipated the resonance her video would have, acknowledging the shared feelings of isolation and overwhelm among parents during the holiday season.
“People relate to these comments because they echo their own experiences, which are often left unspoken,” Reina remarked. “Though it’s a shared reality, not everyone vocalizes it. So, when you come across such content on TikTok, it prompts an immediate response to affirm, ‘Yes, I’ve been through this too.’”
Furthermore, Reina acknowledged that parenting young children can sometimes feel mechanical, requiring an external perspective to recognize the underlying tension and stress.
“At times, you’re merely going through the motions, questioning why you didn’t enjoy the holiday dinner,” Reina explained. “It takes someone else to point out that your feelings of exclusion may stem from being occupied with bath and bedtime routines.”
Offering advice to parents navigating the early stages of parenting, Reina emphasized the importance of recognizing that the challenges are transient.
“Remember, everything is transient,” Reina reassured. “Although there may be years where holidays feel different and isolating, it will evolve over time.”
This year, with her son now five years old, Reina noted a discernible shift in her holiday experience, underscoring the evolving nature of parenthood.