It’s always been concerning to me that she talked about Evelyn’s unconditional love for her. What parent thinks that way?
It sounds like she’s trying to convince herself of what she’s writing. She’s essentially saying her life isn’t ruined because Evelyn loves her unconditionally. That seems twisted to me.
I wouldn’t even talk about my pets that way, I’d talk about *my* unconditional love for them. I’m not a parent, but I assume that inclination is magnified by a million when it comes to your children. Or it should be.
Agree and I had the same thought about that. I think she also reveals a lot when she says, " ...she gave me a purpose and a reason to wake up every day." I think MB was understandably depressed much of her life and, in that sentence, she is putting high expectations on a child to make her life worthwhile... it's a pretty big burden to put on a child. "Life was sucky before and now I have a child." Having a child is novel and exciting, of course, for a new, first time mother but the shine can wear off if the child is expected to make
the mother feel happy. The moment the child begins to exert itself as an individual who can say, "NO!" ... and push mom away... or pull her hair (but not be mean) ... and whine frequently when they're told "no" then problems are going to be inevitable. If the mother can see and experience the "not so happy" parts of being a mother and still feel happy because children are not always "angels" and they are simply developing normally and going through stages... then great. But, I know I've read a lot about mothers who have unrealistic expectations about what having a child is going to be all about and finding, as time goes by, that what they expected is not even close to what they have. And, it always results in trouble between mother and child.
Lots of people prep before a photo shoot and I remember I always wanted my kids to look their best before I took their photos and there was no SM those days. If the child won't cooperate in this day and age; people can simply delete the photos... instead of posting them... and wait for a better mood and take new photos. Voila! Everything's happy and perfect, right? No, not necessarily.
We don't know MB. Imo, all we have is what MB says and what little we've learned about her personal history. I think photographs are probably the least reliable on predicting if someone is happy or not.... if someone is prepared for the photo shoot.
The video of Evelyn dancing... does anyone know what the 2 sound MB makes while Evelyn is dancing and makes verbal sounds as she dances? It doesn't sound MB is speaking an actual word each time... just 2 low toned, drawn out sounds which make
her sound as though she's deaf. She might be trying to "imitate" Evelyn's "words" but, if so, it's a poor job and I would expect a mother to say something like and somewhat excitedly,
"Are you dancing Evelyn? Are you having fun? I like when you dance."
(Whatever words she wants, of course... the keyword is
words (and a smile because Evelyn is bouncing and appears happy.)
That's how children learn to talk, as we all know and that's how they learn about just one of the many things they do that makes
us happy ie; seeing
them happy. Making 2 low sounds in response to Evelyn making sounds... ((MB sounds bored to me or like she had a tooth pulled and the novocaine hasn't worn off yet! ) and I don't know how to relate to that, but know I don't think well of it. Did MB often respond to Evelyn that way? I sure hope not. I think videos are much better than photos. They tell a little bit more of the story, imo. JMO.
ETA: Okay... others brought it up so I'll add this. I don't know if MB was doing any drugs, but in that video, to me, she sounds "downed out" or had some really,
really good weed.
