Mother's Day

Last week, I gave a live radio interview over the phone at 6:40 a.m. My husband stood watch outside our bedroom, blocking our three kids from interrupting. He did a fine job. Afterwards, I opened the door and blurted out, "I did a terrible job," which was exactly how I felt.

My two daughters, ages 8 and 5, came running from their rooms. They both said, "Mommy, you don't do a terrible job at anything!"

I'm still amazed by their show of support -- and by the example I unconsciously set for them of how to inflict self-criticism as a woman. Giving coherent radio interviewers, especially over the phone, particularly before 7 a.m., is hard. But instead, I was hard on myself.

So in honor of Mother's Day coming this weekend, let's tell stories of the good -- and bad -- role models we set for our daughters. Am I being too hard on myself about being too hard on myself? Are you too hard on yourself? Are most women? Why? How can you teach girls to feel good about themselves, if you don't feel good about yourself as a woman and a mom?

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  May 9, 2007; 7:45 AM ET  | Category:  Free-for-All
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