Mommy Wants Mayonnaise: August 26, 2022
Hi Mommy Wants Mayonnaise,
I have several questions but the one I want to pose right now is, what’s the meaning behind your column title Mommy Wants Mayonnaise? Curious minds want to know!
-Curious Reader
Hi Curious,
I figured someone would ask this eventually! There was a time early in parenthood where I would ask my spouse on Friday he wanted each weekend to look like. It was meant to check in and establish some sort of structure for the weekend that included a goal of his and a goal of mine, in addition to any social or family events we already had on the calendar. For example, if he wanted to organize the garage, he needed to name it so we could make a plan. If I wanted some time to write, I knew I needed to ask about a time frame where he’d be able to help watch the baby. We were practicing healthy communication. Then he brought up–on several occasions–how he needed to go 20 minutes north to the health food store because ‘mommy wants mayonnaise.’ He would say this to our infant conversationally, to which I would look at him quizzically and inquire what he was talking about. After the third weekend of hearing him say he needed to go north, I challenged him. When did I say that? Why would I want mayonnaise? Why would I want expensive mayonnaise from a health food store? The irony? I grew up on Miracle Whip! Through the odd topic of mayonnaise and a sleep deficit from our new baby, we ended up in playful banter about how ‘mommy wants mayonnaise’ sounded like a blog name. I told him if I ever decided to write a blog on motherhood, I would name it that. It was no surprise when my entrepreneurial brain came up with the structure and topics for a column that night at 3am. Which I cheerfully pitched to him at breakfast the next morning. So here we are! He’s still adamant that I wanted expensive mayonnaise but we are still smiling and chuckling together, as if it’s become code for something more. The result is a rewarding column to write as a lighter project to balance out other heavier writing projects. Thanks for reading!
Follow Khara @kharacroswaite.medium.com
Khara is a Licensed Mental Health/Financial Therapist and mom in Denver, Colorado. This column is meant for educational purposes only and does not represent advice or replace a trained professional. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. If you are struggling with your mental health, please dial 988 to talk with a trained professional.
