“While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, egg and toast.
When others had a Pepsi or a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess, our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too.
Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.
We were ashamed to admit , but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.
She always insisted on us telling the truth. By the time we were teenagers she could read our minds.
Then life was really tough. Mother wouldn’t let our friends just honk the horn when they drove up. They had to come to the door so she could meet them.
While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16.
Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other people’s property, or being arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.”
Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents, just like Mum was.
I think that’s what’s wrong with the world today. It just doesn’t have enough mean moms anymore. (Mike Doyle)
My comment: He might have added: “We weren’t allowed to spend time on social media, ending up feeling inadequate”. But then he is talking about a different era, when discipline, politeness, reliability, learning useful life skills – and telling the truth – were givens. (it must be my age!)
Wonderful stated
As someone who has a momma like this, I can say that it still can go too far. Especially when the child is now 20 and able to make their own decisions but can’t bc financial instability is held over their head their entire life.
Imagine being that deluded by a false sense of nostalgia that you think you were raised any different than everyone else. Nobody’s mothers bagged them lunches with sodas, we all had chores our mothers made us do. Get over yourself.
Actually Jake, do u think u might be wrong. I work in a high school, one kid tells me her mum gives her coke for breakfast everyday and the kid thinks it’s healthy. I have a 12 year old boy who’s mum doesn’t make his breakfast or lunch and he comes to school starving as there is no food in the house. Lots of families are like this and much worse. This is a good article. Are you a parent?.
The world isn’t all nice and good people. 2022 we have 193 new students at the school and the DVO orders against the Mum or the Dad is actually alarming this year at least two in every class, this is a private Catholic school, not a public. Things aren’t all Rosie everywhere. Be a bit more open minded mate.
You are mistaken Jake. Kudos to your mom for helping you think this is normal. It isn’t. It needs to be but most certainly in this day and age is not. My step son is a casualty of weak parenting.
I am proud to own being a ‘Mean Mum’………interestingly my 2 sons taught their children the same values… ?????
Its the first time I’ve read the ‘mean mum’ and without bothering to read the sour replies, I can honestly say I loved it. Children will always blame their mother; its what they do. Children will even love an evil mother; just think of the damaged children who still want a kiss from mum. Don’t forget, they spend more time grown up than growing up.
I am so proud to be a mean Mom. My grandbabies also have a mean mom. Thank God my daughter has share those same values as well.