There's a different expectation, not just on mothers but on

Hear, O sons and daughters of tomorrow, the words of Catherine Reitman, spoken with the clarity of one who has wrestled with truth: “There’s a different expectation, not just on mothers but on women. We’re expected to do it all, to have it all, and look good through the process and have a smile on our face, and that’s not always the case.” These words are not mere complaint, but a lament as old as civilization, uttered anew in our age. They carry the weight of centuries, for women have long borne burdens both seen and unseen, praised when they succeed, judged when they falter, and commanded always to carry the mask of the smile, even when their souls are weary.

The meaning of this quote is both piercing and universal. To be a mother, to be a woman, has often meant to walk under an invisible law: to nurture without pause, to labor without rest, to present beauty without blemish, and to conceal suffering beneath a mask of joy. Catherine Reitman names this false ideal, this crushing expectation that demands perfection in every role—worker, mother, partner, friend—while denying the right to stumble, to appear flawed, to be human. Her words tear the veil from this illusion and remind us that the path of womanhood, though noble, is also fraught with unjust demands.

This truth is not new. Recall the story of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was both ruler and mother, patron of poets and partner to kings. Though her influence was vast, she was judged not only for her wisdom but for her appearance, not only for her achievements but for her demeanor. Chroniclers often remarked on her beauty or her boldness, but seldom on the crushing expectations placed upon her. Like the women Catherine Reitman speaks of, Eleanor was expected to do it all, and when she faltered, the world was swift to condemn. Her tale is a reminder that these burdens are ancient, and their weight is still felt in the present.

Yet within this lament lies a call to courage. To speak aloud that “it’s not always the case” is itself an act of defiance against the chains of expectation. For centuries, women were commanded into silence, told to endure without complaint. But Catherine’s voice, like those of countless women rising across generations, declares that truth must be spoken: perfection is a myth, and the demand for it is unjust. By naming the burden, she offers release not only for herself but for all who hear her words and recognize their own silent struggles.

And let us understand the deeper wisdom here: the smile demanded by society, when forced, becomes not a sign of joy but a mask of suffering. To compel women to appear ever radiant, ever cheerful, is to deny them the fullness of their humanity. True strength lies not in constant perfection but in authenticity—the freedom to weep, to stumble, to struggle openly. By rejecting the false demand for endless smiles, women reclaim their right to be whole, to be real, and in that wholeness they become even more powerful.

The lesson for us is this: let us no longer measure women by impossible standards. Let us honor mothers, not only when they succeed but when they are weary. Let us value women, not for how well they conceal their struggles, but for their courage in enduring them. And let each woman hear within Catherine’s words the permission to lay down the mask, to speak truth, and to embrace imperfection as part of the sacred journey of life.

Therefore, let each one act: speak honestly when burdened, instead of hiding behind a forced smile. Support the women around you, offering help rather than judgment. And above all, challenge the false ideals that demand perfection, replacing them with compassion, understanding, and shared responsibility. In this way, the heavy yoke may be lifted, and both men and women may walk together in freedom.

Thus, the teaching is eternal: The demand for perfection is a chain; the embrace of truth is liberation. A woman’s worth is not in her mask, but in her soul. To honor her fully is to honor life itself.