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In this excerpt, we see life through the eyes of ‘The Mother.’ As she drives along a cliff side road, she imagines letting go of the wheel and falling over the edge. Later, she mistakes a black plastic bag on the road for a dying animal, a reflection of her fragile state of mind. The passage goes on to display challenges of motherhood: she has little time for herself, and when she does, she feels guilty for letting her kids watch TV. Her house is in disarray, her daughter is defiant, and her husband offers only criticism, while he enjoys the role of the relaxed, fun parent.

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In this excerpt, the protagonist is grieving the loss of her dream job in art, which she had to give up due to the difficulty of balancing it with childcare. She begins to imagine a conspiracy in which women are systematically disadvantaged. She defends herself even in her own thoughts, justifying her opinions as logical and well-supported. Her need to justify herself becomes clear when her husband returns home, cold and emotionless, preferring logic over feelings. Despite her exhaustion from a week of nonstop childcare, with no time even to “stare blankly out the window,” he insists she remain “upbeat and talkative” and continue helping with the kids. Meanwhile, he scrolls on his phone while sitting beside their son in the bathtub, leaving her to fetch a towel, toast, and pajamas for the boy. She notes that if she were to complain, he would only lament how “stressed” he is, claiming she should do her part “for the entire family.”

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Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

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Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

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In this excerpt, Margo struggles with her new life as a mother in her early twenties. She hasn’t showered in days, barely eats, gets little sleep, and has no support. One evening, when her baby won’t stop crying, her roommates ask her to leave the apartment. At 2 a.m., Margo is forced to take her crying baby outside, where she reflects on motherhood—the resilience she has gained, but also the sense of community she has lost.

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Margo's Got Money Trouble Excerpt, pages 30-34

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How do the authors portray mothers as both competent and strong, while also acknowledging their struggles? And what aspects of motherhood do you think are often overshadowed by ignorance or emotional manipulation? In other words, what are the authors trying to highlight about the real, often hidden struggles of motherhood?