An Uncomfortable Conversation...
Plus, this summer's binge-worthy show!
Hey friends-
Lots to catch up on, including my newest Netflix obsession and my favorite skincare product. But first, can I be honest?
I’ve been sitting with something for a few years…and it’s this:
What are our sons learning about women from us, their moms? Are we accidentally raising sons who expect too much from women?
I know, I know. A light and innocent topic :)
But in all seriousness, it’s been something I’ve wanted to talk about for a long time. And, I finally had the courage to have this conversation on my podcast.
It was SOOOO uncomfortable. Honestly, I was squirming in my chair the entire time we were recording.
You might know that I’ve been doing a series on the podcast this month called MOMFESSIONS with my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White. So Kristen and I decided to go there.
Between us, we have five (5!!) boys and we are completely obsessed with them. But, are we raising sons who expect a partner… or a parent?
What are our sons learning about women from watching us? Are they learning that caregiving belongs to women, or that family life belongs to everyone? They’re watching everything.
We talk about why boys need to see moms with dreams, goals, and identities outside of motherhood, and why they need to see fathers cooking, cleaning, caregiving, and showing up as true partners. LISTEN HERE
It’s for conversations like this that I moved to Substack. So we can keep the conversations going. I love to hear your feedback–good, bad, or indifferent.
My boys are my big loves and I want them to grow up wanting to build a life alongside someone–not expect their partner to carry it all.
I hope you listen and weigh in here on Substack. We’re not always going to see eye-to-eye on everything, but we’ll continue to talk about things that matter. And sometimes that means talking about things that are uncomfortable.
Before we go, I asked you in my last Substack if summer felt like a break…
Drumroll, please.
The answer? A WHOPPING 71% of you said NO. Summer does not feel like a break.
All that to say, a reminder for all of us: you’re allowed to have a summer, too!
Cheers to this corner of the internet. Thankful for you all!
-Paula xo
Faris Favorites
1. My FAVORITE Skincare Brand
I am a huge fan of Beef Tallow facial moisturizer. In fact, it’s virtually the only skin care I use these days. I’ve tried several different brands, but my favorite so far is the Tallow Balm by TOUPS. Lucky for you, I have a code to get 15% off your entire order. Or, if you’d prefer, use THIS LINK to get $20 off your purchase of $50 or more.
2. This Summer’s BINGE-WORTHY Show!
My latest summer obsession is a Netflix limited series called “I Will Find You”. It’s about a father who is falsely imprisoned for the murder of his 3-year-old son. But, there’s a twist: his son might still be alive, so he breaks out of prison to find him. It’s honestly taking all my will power to write this Substack and not finish watching it, right now. :)
3. A SECOND CHANCE At Last Week’s Giveaway! 📚
Congrats to our winners of Chip Leighton’s newest book from my last Substack. I still have a few more copies of “Dad Can You Not? A Dad’s Guide To Being Less Cringey” to giveaway. ALL you have to do is comment on this post.
MOMFESSIONS: Why Our Sons Might Expect Too Much From Women
I’m joined by my teammate at CARRY Media, Kristen White, a mom of three boys, for a candid conversation about the messages our sons absorb about work, caregiving, and what they should expect from a future partner.
Oof. We’re going there.
Between the two of us, we’re raising five boys, and this conversation has been brewing in my mind for years: Are we raising sons who expect a partner…or a parent?
And listen, this was an uncomfortable conversation for us. It made us examine our own habits, our own assumptions, and the messages we may be sending without even realizing it. But uncomfortable conversations are often the ones we most need to have.
Before you come for us, this is NOT a working-mom-VS-stay-at-home-mom debate. It’s something much deeper.
What are our sons learning about women from watching us? Are they learning that caregiving belongs to women, or that family life belongs to everyone? They’re watching everything.
We talk about why boys need to see moms with dreams, goals, and identities outside of motherhood, and why they need to see fathers cooking, cleaning, caregiving, and showing up as true partners.
Because I don’t want my sons to grow up looking for someone to cook and clean for them. I want them to grow up wanting to build a life alongside someone, not expect someone to carry it all.
This one will ruffle some feathers. But that’s what Momfessions is all about.
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Love Chip Leighton's books!
I’d love that book. It there are still copies left.