by Betsy Shaw posted in Life

A while back, I came across a video clip where writer Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love) talks with Oprah about the fact that she doesn't have children and how she often feels the need to explain why. I think it's an important topic.
In the video, Gilbert explains how, in her perspective, there are three types of women and every woman falls into one of the three categories. The 3 types of women are:
1. Women who are born to be mothers.
2. Women who are born to be aunties.
3. Women who should not be allowed to be within 10 feet of a child.
She goes on to say that it's so important for women to know which category they fall into because "tragedy and sorrow results from ending up in the wrong category." The reason this interview stuck in my head- - and why I responded with a kind of passionate comment -- is because I didn't find myself fitting into any of the categories. I knew what Gilbert was getting at, in general, but there are some serious nuances of life and motherhood that can not, should not, be so easily overlooked.
I would never describe myself as being born to be a mother. Yet I have children. And, while there has been a certain amount of emotional struggle in my life, it's thankfully not a tragedy.

Here's what I wrote in the comment section:
Oh but where do I fit in" What group is there for someone who most likely was not born to be a mother or wife even, someone who still chafes almost daily at the enormous responsibil...