Bad Mums laugh at pressures of perfect parenting
FILM INSPIRES WOMAN TO SET UP CLUB FOR MOTHERS OF ALL AGES
WHEN mum Michelle Eagleton went to the cinema to watch comedy ‘Bad Moms’ she never could have imagined the impact the film would have on her own life.
The plot sees three overworked, stressed-out mums finally snap and decide to let loose, much to the chagrin of the ‘perfect’ PTA mothers at their children’s school.
It culminates with a character, played by Mila Kunis, giving a heartfelt speech, urging mothers to drop the pretence they have it all figured out and to stop judging.
The film struck a chord with Michelle, who is married with two children and works as a publicist.
She knew that many other mums also felt under pressure to be ‘perfect’ and was keen to create a place where mums could go, where there was no pressure to live up to impossible standards.
It was this idea that inspired her to launch the ‘Bad Mums’ Club.
The club offers mothers a place where they can drop the façade, have fun and share real stories about what it is like to be a normal mum, in a child-free environment.
Michelle, 39, said: “I went to see Bad Moms and as I watched it, it was just saying all the things you think of as a mum constantly.
“Mums will feel guilty, or not perfect. You’ll come to the playground and there will be someone with the homemade gingerbread house and you’re there with your Tesco mini rolls.
“Then there’s the other side, the stay-at-home mums, who might be looking at you with your makeup on, hair done and in work clothes. I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a place we could all go to talk to each other. To dispel the Facebook myths, where people only put their best photos up. It’s so easy as a mum to beat yourself up as there’s that pressure to be perfect. I just wanted a place mums could not feel pressure.”
The Bad Mums’ Club launched in March and has been steadily growing ever since.
The club meets twice a month at Alkrington Community Centre in Middleton and now has more than 80 members of all ages.
Every meeting opens with a talk from an inspirational woman guest, outlining how they juggle their personal and professional commitments, whilst retaining composure and a sense of humour.
It also aims to make mums aware of what local businesses are available to them on their doorstep.
To find out more information about the Bad Mums’ Club see badmumsclub.co.uk, or search for Bad Mums’ Club on Facebook and @BadMumsClubUK on Twitter.