You know what male comics can't do? They can't get pregnant. They can't perform pregnant. So my attitude is, just use all those differences.
Whenever I feel mom-guilt, or I feel pressure to be a better mom - to cook salmon on a bed of quinoa for my kids - I just think to myself, 'I... have... suffered... enough.' And then I feel fine about feeding my toddler a bag of chips for dinner.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote addresses the pressures and guilt that come with parenting, emphasizing self-acceptance and relief from unrealistic expectations.
In this quote, Ali Wong expresses the common feeling of guilt that many parents experience, particularly mothers, regarding their parenting choices. She humorously points out the unrealistic standards that society often imposes on parents, especially in terms of preparing healthy meals. By acknowledging her struggles and embracing a more relaxed approach to her parenting, she finds solace in the idea that she has already faced enough challenges, allowing her to let go of guilt and simply feed her child what is convenient, like chips, without the added stress of meeting lofty expectations.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a parenting group to discuss the pressures of meal preparation.
More from Ali Wong
All quotes →The most valuable thing my dad taught me was to never care about what other people thought. When he came to my shows, and I'd announce his presence, he'd stand up with his hands clasped in victory and cheer my name.
There are certainly other female comics who are moms, but I don't know any who are actively touring with their kids. But there are more and more becoming moms, and it's awesome. I feel we're in a super sisterhood.
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We're all comedy fans in my family. My parents mainly wouldn't let me watch stuff that was either annoying to them, or just garbage. My dad wouldn't let us watch 'The Flintstones' if he was home, because he said it was a rip-off of 'The Honeymooners'. But he would let us stay up really late in the summer and watch old 'Honeymooners'.