Julie Bowen is The Anti-Goop, she says that she hates her kids sometimes

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A few weeks ago, Gwyneth Paltrow gave an interview about how happy she was for Beyonce and Bey’s impending motherhood. Instead of just wishing Bey well, Dame Goop decided to lay on the “motherhood is the only thing that gives a woman’s life significance” sanctimony. Goop’s comment: “I think motherhood is the biggest blessing of all time and it give your life real meaning. It’s always interesting when you’re a woman with success and you’ve achieved a lot, and then you have a baby and you realize everything you thought was an achievement really is nothing until you have a kid.”

Goop really upset me and CB said something to me that was the crux of what I was trying to explain in my rage-filled, verbose way. Paraphrasing CB, she said something like: Being a mom is an achievement, and it does give your life a new meaning, but it’s just different than other achievements in a non-comparable way. You can’t compare being a mom to owning your own business, or getting your B.A., or any of the other achievements you can have.

Anyway, I get tired of Hollywood moms trying to out-patronize other moms, or the childfree ladies. That’s one of the reasons I like Julie Bowen – she isn’t trying to out-mother anybody. She freely admits that some days she kind of hates her children.

Parenting isn’t always pretty!

Modern Family’s Julie Bowen won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Sunday night for her portrayal of Claire Dunphy, a mother of three whose kids’ antics sometimes drive her up the wall. The real-life mom of three admits that her experiences as a mom help her to relate to the neurotic character she plays.

“If I wasn’t a mom, I think it’d be harder to understand what it is to live with a child and hate and love them all at once,” Bowen, 41, told Us Weekly Sunday at the Governor’s Ball in LA. “Claire does that with her kids, and I do that with mine.” (Bowen and husband Scott Phillips have a 4-year-old son, Oliver, and 2-year-old twin boys, John and Gus.)

“I love them so much,” she added. “There’s always this undercurrent of love, but there are moments when I really wouldn’t mind if a giant hook just pulled them off the stage of my life! I think that’s how Claire feels. But if I wasn’t a parent, I think that dichotomy would confuse me.”

The season premiere of Modern Family is Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.

[From Us Weekly]

Honesty is so refreshing. Don’t worry, though, the judgmental Mother Mafia is already preparing to lynch Julie for her refreshingly honest comments, particularly her use of the word “hate”. I think it’s better for Julie (or any mother) to openly discuss how aggravating it is to be a mom, rather than keep it all bottled up and lacquer it over with a layer of Botox, on top of a layer of denial, on top of a layer of vodka. MORE HONESTY.

I’ve included some photos of Julie at various pre-Emmy events over this past weekend. I’m telling you, her style is slowly improving. It’s not “good” but it’s “better”.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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79 Responses to “Julie Bowen is The Anti-Goop, she says that she hates her kids sometimes”

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  1. atlantapug says:

    “Giant hook pulled them off the stage of my life” = AWSOME

    Love her. But she is getting way way too skinny.

  2. Tiffany S says:

    i love her so much!!! she is great on modern family and she is so hilarious in real life too!

  3. Joan says:

    Amen, sister! Julie’s words are refreshing and honest. She will undoubtedly be crucifed by some but that is the nature of the beast. Motherhood is amazing in many ways but is also one of the toughest jobs out there. Some days are almost perfect and other days you just want to plant your head in the ground like an ostrich. Thanks for keeping it real, Julie.

  4. tooey says:

    Those moms that can’t admit to the downsides are the ones that make the rest of us (moms and child-free women) miserable. I live in the land of fakery (DFW area) and these women are like another species to me. If you have half a brain, sometimes dealing with your kids makes you want to run screaming from the room, take the next plane out of the country or flatten the accelerator and drive yourself into a brick wall. But that doesn’t mean you love them any less or that you’re a bad parent. Personally, I think you’re better for the honesty, so long as you keep it from your kids. No “I hate you’s”, but definitely lots of “mommy needs some alone time right now”

  5. skilo says:

    I think that the best way to say what she was trying to say is that you always love your kids even though sometimes you really don’t like them very much. I really do think using the word hate in reference to your kids is a bad idea. Because it’s such a strong word and I think if you are a public figure of any sort and you know it might get published you really shouldn’t say it because your kids could read something like that and really take it to heart. How do you think she would feel if one of her school aged kids was told at school “your mom hates you she said so on tv” or whatever. Just not a good idea in my opinion.

  6. Larissa says:

    Hate? Yeah, definitely a strong word ! Sometimes I hate and blame myself, but I never hated on my children , and I truly feel sorry for the moms out there who do and especially I feel sorry for their children. Sometimes I wish I could just disappear, not them taken out of the f* ever STAGE of my life, I find it very disturbing hearing things like that knowing personally people who have lost their children, it i just plain WRONG!

  7. Hautie says:

    The only thing I find disturbing about Bowen… is the face. She has the same shaped face as that Bethany girl from that Bravo show. The one with the eating disorder.

    And you should have the right to say that there are days, that being a parent, sucks. If there is anyone that can push your button, to full on hate… it is a smart ass kid.

    Especially one you personally birthed.

  8. gee says:

    She seems really fun, but she needs to add a sandwich or two to her life.

  9. Anon says:

    I don’t think women should DEFINE themselves by work or being a mother.. that’s just asking for trouble because neither one of them ever work out the way you want them to.

    Why can’t women just love themselves as people first and enjoy the roles they play? But that’s just what they are temporary roles. Children grow up and move away. In the end yourself is what you have to live with.

  10. anon1 says:

    Wow, and they aren’t even teenagers yet. Just wait Ms. Bowen, just wait…

  11. Rubenesque says:

    Oh, yeah. She’s gonna get flambéd on the Mommy boards. Seriously, admit your precious spawn are anything short of an unmitigated joy & you should just hang a target on your chest. What’s really hilarious is meeting everyone’s little miracles in person. They’re all just your average rugrat booger eaters & the people who brag the most usually have the worst behaved kids. It’s really too bad women aren’t more supportive of each other. You have to find a circle of close friends you can be honest with or you’ll lose your mind.

  12. Vee says:

    Love her brutal honesty, what Moms have not felt so frustrated they could scream, but I dislike the use of the word hate.

    Motherhood is simply the hardest job I’ve ever attempted, period. It takes time, patience and more time. It is day in and day out character building, help and advice and carpooling. Yet, it is the most rewarding job I’ve ever done; when your child picks the nerdy kid for the basketball team because they couldn’t stand them being left out or when your other child tutors kids in school because they understand the material, those are the rewards!

    tooey – I used that all the time, “mom needs alone time.” Mine are older now, hitting the teen years and so far so good, but yes, some quiet time is a must for all moms.

  13. Kristen says:

    I find it interesting that SJP can say she hates her husband for 20 minutes a day, and everyone is all like, “Totally.” But JB says an even weaker, “Sometimes I hate my kids,” and people are all, “Whoa there! Hate is kind of strong, don’t you think?”

    Spouses + children can be infuriating sometimes. No one is all “love,love,love” 24/7.

  14. Samgirl says:

    “Hate” is totally harsh, but at the same time, she isn’t saying it like it sounds. Like another poster above stated, she’s saying there is a downside to parenting. There are TONS. Do they outweigh the good? Absolutely not. But, I think it’s great, and appreciate, that she doesn’t make it sound like it’s all rainbows and unicorns.

  15. i.want.shoes says:

    I really hate that as women, we need to b*tch at each other about how we describe our experiences with motherhood. If she wants to use the word HATE, so be it. We (should) are all smart enough to understand the nuances of spoken language and realize that she loves her her kids are they are not being abused.

  16. Happymom says:

    I think she’s using the word “hate” for humor-I’m not going to be criticizing her for that. I agree-as a devoted mom of 4-it’s not always joy, and there are times when you want to just lock yourself in a quiet room. She has 3 boys 4 and under-I’m guessing she escapes the chaos by working out a lot-because she is really thin.

  17. Sloane Wyatt says:

    @13 Kristen: Well said. I was thinking the same thing too.

    Julie is too boney skinny and has a bobble head; she’d be so much softer and feminine with about 7 more pounds or even a bit more than that.

  18. Your mama says:

    Sure my kids can piss me off & annoy the crap outta me, but never does ‘hate’ come into my mind. I was a teacher too before, so I am one of those people who just LOVES kids – all of them. Even the ones who everyone thinks are horrible…. and I adore babies. Always will be this way.
    I do really like Julie. She rocks!!! So does Modern Family (my fav show)!!!

  19. momoftwo says:

    Semantics….we get so caught up on individual words.

    Parenthood is so tough, and we all hope we are doing it right. And I think that’s why we feel the need to criticize others parents so much – it makes us feel better about our own choices as parents (cuz what if we are doing it wrong too? It’s too hard to stomach).

    My sister met her at an event and said she was so beautiful and so sweet. Now I like her even more because she is honest about what it’s like to be a mom!!

  20. Justaposter says:

    My kids are the light of my life, my heart, my soul.. and I would move heaven and earth for them. I would walk through fire for them….but sometimes I can get to a place of hate as well.

    I may not like them, even bordering on hate, but always love them.

    And I agree, they will be serving Julie on some of the Mommy Forums for that statement. But for those who are honest will agree with her.

  21. Toot says:

    I don’t like her using the word hate. I understand kids can make you really dislike them, but hate is such a harsh word.

  22. Sequined Pajamas says:

    Julies Bowen had serious health problems in her 20’s. She currently wears a pacemaker. I am not a doctor, but maybe her health problems are why she is so thin.

  23. Embee says:

    @Hautie – absolutely! And also I think she was using the word for effect/humor.

    True confession: last night I was discussing my (single) parenthood with another single parent. The absence of a second parent combined with the demands of a high-pressure jobs leave us in general disarray. In the midst of my second glass of wine this happened:

    Me: I love her so much but my god she can be a needy little..(gasp!) I can’t belive I almost said that!

    Friend: Let it out. Say it.

    Me: Witch?

    Friend: Not good enough. Go there. You’ll feel better.

    Me: Needy little bitch!

    Friend: Better?

    Me: Infinitely.

    I know, I know. The difference is my kid won’t google it. Still felt pretty good.

    And yes, I knew children were dependent before I had one, and I don’t resent her or neglect her.

  24. Julie says:

    Some nights I lay in bed b4 falling asleep and just thank God for the blessing that my children are. But honestly other nights, I am tempted to pray they go away for just a few days. They can drive me nuts!!! Part of it is the girl/mom problem, built in tension that I see alot.

  25. Atticus says:

    One of the most interesting things I haev ever seen is when the woman who dared to write about how she loved her husband more than her kids was on Oprah. (link to her article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/fashion/27love.html)

    Oprah had the audience seated like it was a townhall and on the stage with Ayelet was a semi-circle of enraged Professional Mommies, and the atmosphere was literally like she was about to be burned at the stake. You can imagine the accusations and insults hurled at her. But as the conversation progressed, and Ayelet was allowed to make her case, the dynamic shifted and the mothers were all like, hmm, yeah, what happens when the kids grow up? It was a fascinating show.

    It’s refreshing to hear Julie Bowen speak so candidly about her own, personal experiences as a mother. And I completely identify with her stance. More than once I’ve called my kids assholes when describing their behavior to my friends (obviously I don’t call them that to their little 5 and 3 year old faces!!). Key is I’m describing their behavior, not who they are as people.

    As for motherhood – there is a reason I work outside the home. It’s nice to be Atticus during the day and not Mommy. It’s nice to maintain my identity as a woman, a colleague, a friend, a wife, a sister, daughter, etc. It’s what allows me to be Mommy, actually. But that’s just me. My hat is off to women who stay at home with their kids because to me, that’s the hardest job of all. You’re always giving, all day long. ALL. DAY. LONG.

    Different strokes for different folks. I’m not going to judge anyone else’s take on motherhood because I don’t want to be judged by mine. I won’t listen to judgement on mine. My kids are healthy, happy, and contrary to how I describe their behavior, actually NOT assholes. They’re good little peeps whose age-appropriate behavior occasionally drives me batshitcrazy. I’m doing something right. Might not be how some would do it, but it’s working for me.

    Sorry, this was quite the novel. Point is – to the Goopsters who wrap their identity up completely in being a mom, good for you. To the anti-Goopsters who don’t, good for you, too. I just happen to identify more with the Julie Bowens of the world.

  26. Mitch Buchanan Rocks says:

    This discussion is far more interesting than the fashion stuff and the goopy goo.

  27. tracking says:

    I don’t love her word choice, but her honesty is endearing. Motherhood is confusing and hard and wonderful, and I definitely don’t get the moms who’ll never admit a downside (are they always the super privileged ones with FT+ live-in nannies to do much of the hard stuff?) Motherhood is the biggest roller coaster in life imo.

  28. miss_bhaven says:

    Wow, I could never use the word hate when it came to describing my feelings about my daughter. Yes, she does annoy the hell out of me sometimes, but I could never hate her, not even for a nanosecond. My love for her would always get in the way. I love her with a 1000 hearts.

    Never take your children for granted. My friend’s child just died of brain cancer at aged 10. They can be taken so quickly. Love them every moment you can, because life is so uncertain for all of us.

  29. Justaposter says:

    Miss H hugs to you and your friend.

    Gang, I am kinda thinking she meant she hates what they are doing and their actions, but never them.

    Kinda like the I hate what you are doing/how you are behaving but love you always underneath thing.

  30. Jezi says:

    OMG totally!!! Not that I hate my son, he just sometimes drives me up the friggin wall and makes me want to run away! 🙂

  31. bored says:

    I’d never say things like that about my child in public. Just sayin’. Seems to be mostly non-moms that think Julie’s statement in awesome. Yeah there are stressful times but to use the word ‘hate’…? I think she was just babbling typical mom bs to promote the show and got carried away.
    While there’s no need to be grandiose about it, I think it is a unique thing, becoming a mother, and it does make a lot of your previous achievements feel less important somehow, but not in a bad way, if that makes sense. I found this out when I had my child at 38. I have a successful professional career that I enjoy but he is my #1 achievement and I’d never tell strangers or acquaintances that I love and hate him at the same time, even when he’s on my last nerve. Not only is it untrue, it’s just a disturbing thing to put out there.

  32. Kloops says:

    Sing it, sister. I adore my kids. They are delightful and hilarious little pains in my ass that I occasionally want to run screaming from. For some hate is a strong word, but for others it’s just a flippant way of expressing frustration. I thought her comment was fine.

  33. fabgrrl says:

    What helped me out: I realized that “hate” is NOT the opposite of love. The opposite of love is indifference. Feeling occasional “hate” for your child is not a problem. Feeling indifference is.

  34. S says:

    @Embee that was actually also a storyline on Modern Family – Claire (Julie) helped Gloria get out her true feelings about Manny that she had been suppressing…of course Manny heard and it all backfired, but that’s a sitcom for you!

  35. Cecizahn says:

    LOOOOOOOOOOOVE HER…but she’s getting thiner and thiner everytime 🙁

  36. lucy2 says:

    She always jokes about her kids like that, I too think it was said for humor, not serious hate.

  37. Leigh says:

    I’m a mom. and I think Julie’s statement is AWESOME.
    Unabashed honesty about motherhood is so rare and being a mom is hard. So hard sometimes that even though we obviously love them all the time, sometimes we don’t like our own kids or their behaviour. So she used the word hate – she obviously doesn’t actually hate her own children.

    You crazy judgemental mothers need to simmer down. The rest of us are doing just as good a job as you – just because we have struggles you may not or are more honest about our emotions and feelings surrounding motherhood does not make us bad moms.

  38. Cerulean says:

    I love my child so so much. But there are days…when I want to send her to boarding school.
    I hate when women try to act like it’s all a bed of roses. It ain’t. It’s hard. You sometimes do things you regret, you make mistakes, they make mistakes, you hope you have done enough of the good things to make them healthy productive human beings.

    I used to wonder why G irritated people. I so get it after her remarks.

  39. Bella says:

    It’s refreshing how honest she is. I would have said I needed a break from the kids once in a while. Her style isn’t that bad…some people are meant for the red carpet but it’s decent.

  40. bite me says:

    some how i dont think i will see julie bowen on a tabloid cover proclaming that SHE HATES HER KIDS

  41. irishserra says:

    I agree that CB hit the nail on the head. Sure raising children is an accomplishment, but when it’s all said and done, I want to do something different with my life – things I couldn’t do while changing diapers, doing homework, dodging the moody teen eye daggers, etc. While I adore my children, I’m one of those women who feels just sort of useless after the kids are in bed and I think about what more I could be doing out there in the world. I definitely don’t feel like patting myself on the back. I chose to give birth to those kids and now it’s my responsibility and I embrace it. But I know there’s more. And I will instill that in my children, as well.

    I often get frustrated by women who feel their only purpose in life is to breed and every conversation with them revolves around their children. Great. You love your kids. Now get a life.

  42. theonlyone says:

    It is a word. She is fantastic. I’m a mom and sometimes I feel the same way, but then I feel ridiculously guilty because I love my babe so much. We need to get off our soapboxes and realize that although we may share the same experiences in life they are non comparable in the day to day business that is life. Peace!

  43. Circe says:

    She’s pretty great. I remember she posted those brilliant pictures of herself breastfeeding, too.

    Still can’t get over how annoying she was on Lost, though.

  44. bigchili says:

    I appreciate her comments too. I’m a mother of a 21 month old boy whom I adore. I love him with everything I am. I would do anything for him. But, there are times he drives me insane. And, I think it’s a disservice when someone sugarcoats motherhood and makes it sound easy and completely natural. Anyone raising a child/children is going to struggle with it at times and if all they ever hear is how wonderful it is and how natural parenting is, then they’re going to doubt themselves and worry and that’s just going to make things worse for everyone.

  45. Embee says:

    @S (#34) that’s ironic! I have caught a bit of MF 2ce and thought it hilarious. I need to set my DVR!

    I also agree with the poster who commented that love and hate aren’t opposites-they are actually quite close to one another (as Ms. Lenox said, there’s a thin line…) it is indifference that is troubling.

  46. izzyvalentine says:

    I love her, she’s great, and I love the show. Especially Claire. But homegirl needs to gain some weight! I think women look so freakish when they’re getting older- in their forties- and still want to be thin. No offense to older women, but it just makes the skin looks weird and veiny and just- ugh! Ten pounds, heck, even five, and she would look sooo much better to me.

  47. Trek Girl says:

    I’m sure that her feelings of hate will be returned threefold in the not too distant future. She may be speaking the truth, but I get the feeling that what she said is going to bite her on the ass, and it’ll come from her family. I don’t think she’s “fantastic”, I don’t “love her”, and her comments don’t change the indifference that I have for her as an actress. She’s still average.

    @Irishserra: You may feel that you want to do more than “just be a mom”, and hey, go for it, find something you want to do, but to say that the women who like having children and talk about their children all time, even if it is annoying, should “go get a life” is just plain ridiculous. Some of them aren’t acting, they really do like having their children, and that’s the life they want, and they don’t feel “useless” when their children are asleep. If you want a life that’s different from the one you have now, go get it. If you want to do more, go do it. If you feel useless when your children go to sleep, then go find a use for yourself. Go find the fulfillment that you are lacking instead of feeling so frustrated with those women who apparently are fulfilled with their lives and their children.

  48. Kim says:

    She is right you have to be a parent to understand that you love your kids but sometimes want to brain them-haha! But even when you are hating them you love them unconditionally-it is a dichotomy and non parents cant begin to understand.

    i dont think you can be a good parent unless you are being true to yourself and doing at least a little something you want in life that doesnt involve your kids. Women who have no interests outside their children arent helping their children see women can be caregivers AND fulfill their wants. Nothing wrong with loving & talking about your kids BUT parents, fathers included (not just mothers) need to have a life outside of their kids.

  49. Kelly says:

    Julie Bowen is cool

  50. Bobbie says:

    I have four kids, three boys ages 10, 8, and 6, and a daughter who is 3. I can tell you that the only mothers who never feel strong anger/irritation/hate/whatever word you want to use for their kids are mothers who are either lying or not around their kids very much. Kids are incrediably aggrevating. But we love the.

  51. Belle Epoch says:

    It’s like using the word “depressed.” Technically “depressed” means you have been diagnosed in a psychological state of severe depression. If you are truly “depressed,” you may be suicidal and need to be medicated and even hospitalized.

    However, we all go around saying we’re “so depressed” because our dinner tastes funny or our favorite TV show isn’t on. There’s an understanding that we don’t mean clinically depressed.

    I don’t believe for a minute that JB would let someone walk up and take one of her children off the stage of her life! But there are times when it feels like having that happen would be easier than dealing with whatever is going on.

    I remember when DH and I both had the stomach flu, but the baby was fine. Taking care of a wide-awake baby and a sick husband when you are constantly vomiting is something I would HATE to repeat.

  52. FitnFeisty says:

    I think people are taking it waaaay too literally if they’re going to get all holier than thou and say that Julie says she hates her kids. (not the headline, just some of the comments I’ve read) I love the way she described it and I love her honesty and realness. I’m not a mom and don’t know if I ever want to be one, but I find this attitude much more real than the “children are perfect & your life is empty without them” preachy attitude so many people take when I say I don’t know if I want kids. My mom has told me now that there were times she didn’t like me at all when I was a kid and, having been around my friends kids and remembering how I acted as a teenager, I GET IT.

  53. Ally says:

    She has more meat on her bones in the movie Happy Gilmore. Softer is prettier on her.

  54. Maureen says:

    Love the honest comments. I’ll tell my husband that one day I’m just gonna run away and never come back…of course I’m joking, but that’s how I feel sometimes!!! Goop is the type of mother I avoid at all costs, those annoying, everything is perfect mothers. The kind of mother who says she can’t spend more than 24 hours without her kids. My girls are my heart’s delight, but, if someone wanted to send me to deserted island for week without them, my only question would be….where do I sign up??!?!

    She looks so cute in the last pic!

  55. Firecracker says:

    Imo, she’s my generation, I’m 46, she’s 41. When we grew up, there was no internet, the word “hater” didn’t exist for us. It means something a little different to the younger generation, I think.

    I say the word hate all the time, like “oh, I hate that!” “Don’t you just hate that?” And so on. It’s just an expression of our age that we still use imo.

  56. Cheyenne says:

    I have a grown son whom I love very, very much, and always have. But there were times — especially when he was between age 12 and 18 — when I wanted to put him on a one-way bus to Outer Mongolia.

  57. dj says:

    There is a good article & cover of Julie Bowen on “More” magazine. She states in the article that she does have a pacemaker (yikes)! Also, girl dresses don’t fit me. So I guess she has an unusual body shape or long waist or something. Anyhoo, love her and her honesty. Please remember folks she has 3 boys, two of which are TWINS in their terrible twos. Come on.

  58. Gigohead says:

    Feel the same exact way about my kids. I love them to pieces but when they get REAL nasty tantrums or drive me crazy, I want the hook to come down and scoop them away too!!!! I hate the way they act with me and my hubby at times. So much work to raise them and they don’t appreciate anything!!!!!!

  59. mermaid says:

    God forbid something happens to her kids, like one of them gets caught in a fishing hook and dies. She will never forgive herself for saying these words. Never put words out into the universe, that you don’t want to come true. Stranger things have happened-spoken words become self-fulfilled prophecy.

  60. mangomommy says:

    wow. just cannot understand so many people that want to get away from their kids. What’d you do to make them into people you want to get away from? Or, are you suggesting they just turned out that way without your involvement? What a total bunch of assholes.

  61. Emily says:

    I totally get where she’s coming from. I’m not a mum, but I’ve got two cats, and while I love them to bits and would kill anyone who hurt them, there are times they drive me absolutely crazy. I’m sure if you asked the parent of any teenager, they would tell you the same thing Julie’s saying.

  62. Maureen says:

    @mangomommy……Ughhh….your name says it all.

  63. Shannon says:

    For the moms who keep saying they could never hate their children – good for you. Now shut the eff up. And for Pete’s sake, don’t act like you have the right to judge moms who do get frustrated enough to hate their kids sometimes. It’s that shift from saying YOU couldn’t feel that way to proclaiming that NO ONE gets to feel that way that makes you so annoying. Stop trying to tell other people what emotions they’re allowed to experience. It’s exasperating to see that kind of smug moral dictatorship. You’re not a better person because of it. You’re just trying to make other women feel bad for not embodying your ideal of perfect motherhood, when they should be lauded for being honest. Venting is good. Bottling up your emotions is unhealthy. So stop advocating for it and go make your kid a perfectly balanced meal or something.

    I’m excited to have kids some day. I’m not excited to interact with these catty moms. Thank goodness I’m going to have a career so I don’t have to pin all my self worth on my image as a mother.

  64. mangomommy says:

    Remember, you’re not managing an inconvenience. You are raising a human being. Show a little respect.

  65. Shannon says:

    A call for respectful behavior and discourse sounds a little disingenuous when it comes from someone who just referred to everyone who dared to share their real emotions as “a total bunch of assholes.”

  66. JaneWonderfalls says:

    I agree kids can make you want to throw them out of a moving car, but the difference between a bad parent vs good parent is the good parent just fantasize about it, but never does it. The bad parent well let’s just think about a certain mother in Florida….

  67. JaneWonderfalls says:

    This is to all the “Breeders” who are high and mighty, I think you should relax cause while you may not say it, you know you feel that way sometimes it’s natural. Yes I use the term Breeders to piss people off.:-0

  68. Maureen says:

    @Shannon…..bravo!

  69. ThirdChris says:

    “smug moral dictatorship”. LOVE it.

    Sigh. I remember reading a book when my first child was still an infant – “Mothershock.” I absolutely loved it because I felt it was a realistic picture of motherhood; what I was actually experiencing. Motherhood is DAMN hard. I’ve got four young creatures who are my responsibility to mold into real, functioning people. My entire life is about them, all.the.time. And for all the joy they give me, they give me equal parts frustration and anger. (HOW MANY TIMES do I have to tell you to not bean your sister?!) There are many days when yes, I do hate my life. But it’s more of a “surface” feeling…I love those kids with all my being, but sometimes the current situation just fricking sucks.

  70. Trashaddict says:

    It’s amazing how difficult it’s become to express your opinion in this country. She didn’t say she was going to microwave her children, she just meant sometimes they drive her crazy. But it’s fun to read the posts and watch people totally overreact.

  71. Catherine says:

    Every parent dreams of their kids being pulled off the stage now and again but we never do anything about it because, well, we are parents and deal. I don’t care how much Gwyneth gushes about the beauty of life and her kids, she has trying days as well. It is only human to be tested and tried and if anyone says differently, they are not completely honest. Some deal with child stress differently but abuse is always out of the question.

  72. Tassi says:

    I LOVE Modern Family and the character Claire. I am beginning to love Julie Bowen – motherhood is the best of times and the worst of times… And she has three BOYS… the energy level alone can suck your will to live. So here’s to Julie Bowen and all the other amazing real mothers out there. Cheers!

  73. Isa says:

    I don’t ever feel this way. But I might if I had three boys four and under. And a husband. Wow.

    I feel frustration, sometimes I lock myself in the bathroom for mommytime. Does that count? But I truly enjoy my children. The other day, my daughter got a roll of toliet paper and let’s just say there was wet paper everywhere. I called her into the bathroom to discuss it. She let out a nervous laugh that sounded like Goofy. I couldn’t help it. I started laughing too! Parenting fail!

    I do have very easy children. But I think that has more to do with their nature rather than nurture. 🙂 There are some kids out there that I totally understand feeling this way about!

  74. Isa says:

    I wrote the previous comment while nursing my newborn son. As I was doing that she got into my makeup bag and destroyed some of it. Good thing I use the cheap stuff! Time to get off Celebitchy, scrub some mascara off my walls and do some parenting! 🙂

  75. Jessica says:

    Amen to that!!!

  76. Firecracker says:

    Maureen, I agree!

    Shannon, nice post!

  77. Callumna says:

    I remember that weird woman who wrote about loving her husband more than her kids.

    She was in awe of him, and was a rather humdrum person herself so it seemed clingy. Stage 5. Like it or not the downside is it’s easy to leave a clingy partner while the kids who now know where they stand in her love totem pole are kids for life.

    Julie Bowen is just trying to sell her neurotic character. Bet she’d be sad to see this headline about her children.

  78. Viv says:

    wow she wears some weirdly awesome dresses. I feel the same way about my kids and they are adopted so I am not supposed to say anything like that. She is more or less keeping it real.