Today, I’m thinking of all the mothers who are being abused by their spouses. The mothers who show up for their kids despite constant put downs, guilt trips, alarming outbursts, pressure to perform perfectly, and being pushed to extremes by the person who once vowed to cherish and protect them.
I mourn for those who don’t have the education, career, family support, or financial means to leave such a bully.
I mourn for the mothers whose partners became a whole different person once they became pregnant or gave birth, who were forced to navigate motherhood at the same time as abuse.
I mourn for victims of the abysmally broken family court system.
I mourn for those who aren’t believed because their abusers’ masks are so convincing.
I mourn for those chronically in a fawn response because it’s the only way to survive with the bully in their home.
I mourn for those who stay, thinking it’s what’s best for their children.
I mourn for mothers who develop physical illnesses due to the psychological torture they endure.
I mourn for mothers who feel guilt for not showing up the way they want to because they spend so much energy surviving.
I mourn for those who’ve been beaten, strangled or even murdered.
I mourn for all these mothers. Loving mothers run the world. We must support them better in their efforts to live in peace and protect and nurture their children.
