Childbirth Hurts, But Teenagers Can Break Your Heart

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday May 2, 2003

Further to Miranda Devine's comments (``Motherhood trials blown out of all proportion", Herald, May 1), we can only wait until Naomi Wolf experiences being the parent of a teenager. Then she will know what it is like to lose control, to occasionally have your heart wrenched, ideals squashed and values demeaned far more demoralising than the physical trials of childbirth which lasts such a short period in comparison.

Yet we mothers (and fathers) still love and cherish them with all their faults and generally wouldn't have it any other way. We all have to grow up and experience changes, even Naomi.

Janice Creenaune,

Austinmer, May 1.

Miranda Devine lightly passes over alarming statistics on post-natal depression and the challenging and complex issues surrounding work and family balance to deride Naomi Wolf's intelligent and admirably vulnerable and honest dialogue on childbirth and motherhood.

As a mother of a 13-month-old, I appreciate Wolf airing these issues. Her clear message on Andrew Denton's show was that the next big challenge is to lobby for sensible and supportive policies in regard to work and family for men and women.

Judith Coombes,

Lilyfield, May 1.