Mothers' unrealistic expectations too much

Apparently I'm an 'expert' now.....hahaha...this is from today's Herald Sun in honour of Mother's Day:

Mothers' unrealistic expectations too much
Susie O'Brien and Carla Danaher
A-LIST mothers are inspiring real mums to "have it all" and pursue kids and glamorous careers.
But experts warn they are putting mothers under pressure to live up to an unrealistic image of motherhood.

Prominent Melbourne mothers include Alannah Hill, Jane Hall, Jo Silvagni, Jo Hall, Kate Ceberano, Kimberley Davies, Jennifer Keyte and new expat Simone Warne.

These yummy mummies come hot on the heels of their Hollywood counterparts, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Liv Tyler and Gwen Stefani, who pair career and kids with great success.

But University of Melbourne gender studies expert Meredith Nash said the glamour of the red carpet and women's magazines did not reflect the realities of pregnancy and motherhood.
Local celebrity mums, including footballer's wives, set a high standard for regular mums, she said.

"They all rock up to the Brownlow in their custom-made maternity gowns looking amazing," Ms Nash said.

TV identities such as the recently "boned" Jessica Rowe also gave a glamorous impression of pregnancy.

"When she became pregnant, she really didn't change at all. She didn't gain weight, she didn't look different," Ms Nash said.

"Motherhood for them is just about gushing about how wonderful it is."

Practical Parenting magazine reports that it's "hard not to feel cynical when yet another Hollywood star claims to be a 'working mum' ".

"The way has been paved for modern-day Hollywood working mothers to give birth, get their bodies back into shape in record time, pursue passionate relationships, attend A-list parties and travel the world saving babies -- all without having a flat hair day," author Nicky Elliott writes.

Melbourne psychologist Dr Janet Hall said the so-called halo effect inspired women to see celebrities as role models.

She agreed that comparisons could be costly.

"It's so unrealistic because most of these women have unlimited money and unlimited time because they can pay others to do things for them," Dr Hall said.

Melbourne plastic surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein said women who wanted to have surgery to look like a celebrity were unrealistic.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21713683-2862,00.html?from=public_rss#