A young Nigerian mother has gone viral after boldly expressing what many mums secretly feel but are too afraid to say out loud — and the internet has strong opinions about it.
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A Nigerian woman has taken to social media to pour her heart out about the overwhelming realities of motherhood, confessing that she genuinely misses the days when she had no child and could enjoy peace and quiet on her own terms.
In a video that quickly made the rounds online, the mum did not hold back her feelings, saying what plenty of Nigerian mothers have whispered to themselves in private but would never dare say publicly — especially not with mama, mama-in-law, and the entire village listening.
“Those Days Were Sweet O”
For many Nigerian women, admitting that motherhood is hard — or that you sometimes miss your life before children — is practically a taboo. Between church, family expectations, and a culture that celebrates the “strong, selfless mother,” there is little room for women to express exhaustion, longing, or ambivalence without being judged.
But this woman said it anyway. And honestly? Many mothers related deeply.
The comments section became a battleground of sorts. On one side were women nodding vigorously, typing things like “This is me every single day,”* and *”I love my child but e get as e dey be.” On the other side were those who felt her comments were irresponsible, even ungrateful.
The Pressure Nigerian Mothers Carry
Let us be honest — motherhood in Nigeria is not for the faint-hearted. From the moment a woman announces her pregnancy, society begins piling expectations on her like she is a market trolley. She must be patient, available, selfless, cheerful, and somehow still look presentable at all times.
There is no paternity leave culture to lean on. Affordable childcare is a luxury many cannot access. Extended family support, while sometimes present, often comes with its own drama and unsolicited advice. And through it all, a mother is expected to smile and declare, “Children are a blessing from God.”
They are. But blessings can also be exhausting.
Loving Your Child and Missing Your Freedom Are Not Mutually Exclusive
This is the nuance that many people miss in conversations like this. A mother saying she misses her pre-child life is not the same as saying she does not love her child or wishes the child had never been born. It simply means she is human.
Missing the days you could sleep in on a Saturday, eat hot food without interruption, or just sit in silence without someone screaming “Mummy!” every thirty seconds — that is not a character flaw. That is reality.
Mental health advocates and parenting experts have long stressed the importance of allowing mothers the space to be honest about their struggles. Suppressing those feelings does not make them go away. It just makes mothers feel isolated, guilty, and alone.
The Conversation Nigeria Needs to Have
This viral moment is bigger than one woman’s video. It is an invitation for Nigerian society to have a more honest, compassionate conversation about maternal mental health and the unrealistic standards placed on mothers.
Women should be able to say “I am overwhelmed” without being called a bad mother. They should be able to seek help, take breaks, and admit their struggles without fear of judgment from family, church members, or random strangers on Twitter — sorry, X.
Supporting mothers does not mean validating neglect. It means creating space for honesty, providing practical help where possible, and reminding every overwhelmed mum out there that she is not alone.
If you are a mother going through a tough time, know that what you are feeling is valid. Reach out to someone you trust, and remember — asking for help is not weakness. It is wisdom.
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