One mother is leveraging the popular “we’re moms” trend to shed light on the reality of parenthood, particularly with young children, during the holiday season.
“We’re mothers. While we craft Christmas joy for the entire family, the same isn’t reciprocated for us,” shared Renee Reina, a mother to a 5-year-old son, in a TikTok video that recently gained viral status.
Reina further expresses in another segment, “As mothers, we anticipate encountering numerous acquaintances during the festive period, yet meaningful conversations remain elusive.”
The host of “The Mom Room” podcast, Reina, drew inspiration to create the video after observing fellow mothers navigating the challenges of the holiday season with young children. Reflecting on the initial four years of her son’s life, she recalled the heightened difficulties the holidays presented.
Recalling those early years, Reina reminisced about the struggles and lack of enjoyment during holiday gatherings and family events. She highlighted instances where she would be occupied upstairs attending to her son’s bedtime routine while the rest of the family reveled downstairs, a poignant memory encapsulated in her TikTok content.
“We, as mothers, eagerly anticipate tending to our children’s bedtime rituals while others downstairs revel in merriment,” she articulates in the video.
Renee Reina’s TikTok video resonated with a wide audience, sparking numerous responses from fellow mothers and even fathers, who shared their own narratives.
“We, as mothers, take charge of procuring and wrapping our gifts to avert queries from our children,” noted one commenter, with another adding, “Our own stockings perennially remain empty.”
Another commenter emphasized, “As mothers, we ensure everyone else is prepared and presentable, yet find ourselves rushing to get ready when guests arrive.”
Reina expressed her lack of surprise at the video’s widespread traction, recognizing its resonance with parents navigating the holiday season amidst feelings of isolation and overwhelm.
Acknowledging the robotic nature of parenting young children, Reina underscored the significance of external validation in acknowledging the stress and strain often overlooked by parents.
For those traversing the early stages of parenthood, Reina offers reassurance that there is a brighter horizon ahead, drawing from her own experiences as her son reaches the age of 5.
“Remember, everything is transient,” Reina advises. “Though the holidays may seem different and isolating for a while, change is inevitable.”
In conclusion, Reina emphasizes that while the holiday experiences may evolve, there is solace in knowing that the challenges of early parenthood are temporary, with the promise of a more balanced future ahead.