MovieChat Forums > A Home of Our Own (1993) Discussion > This Mom is a BItch!

This Mom is a BItch!

posted 17 years ago by toby2011
34 replies | jump to latest

This Mom is a bitch. I thought this the first few times I caught parts of the movie on Lifetime and am thinking it now, watching it again (WHY do I keep watching this movie when this character pisses me off so damn much?!?). Too much sharing of all of life's stresses and problems with her children. Doesn't let them be KIDS--carefree, worry free. Doesn't buy them Christmas presents because she's too damn self-centered and too cheap to take a little bit of money away from her damn house to give her kids a tiny bit of happiness on Christmas Day. Buy them something small and cheap, anything but TOOLS (Are you kidding me?!? How clueless IS this woman???). Doesn't take gifts and food from the church for her kids for Christmas because she's too damn proud. Beats her son. I CANNOT STAND this woman. Yes, they're poor, and she's struggling, she's trying really hard--I GET that, but damn, let your kids enjoy being kids and don't put all of your crap on them all of the time. They'll have to worry about life's problems and stress soon enough. Oh, and she's a bitch to Mr. Munimura when he tries to give her the blueprints to the house as a GIFT (such a bitch that she won't accept them, and they were a GIFT; take the damn blueprints, say "Thank you" and shut your damn mouth!). Aaaargh. Did I mention that I can't stand this woman????

[–] Kroyall1962 14 years ago

Having lived through a very similar situation myself during the same time period, I would say this woman is a piece of crap. My dad died in 66 and left my Mom with 4 kids. I am sure there were times when she was overwhelmed, she had a modest job driving a school bus so money was tight. However, at no point did we feel insecure. My mother loved us and loved her life. Her attitude was positive and she never made us feel like a burden.

The woman in this movie pisses and moans constantly and takes out her frustrations on her kids. She was physically abusive at times which of course only makes matters worse. The Christmas scene was horrible. A box of nails for one kid? WTF??!!! Back in the 60's in this country, a few cheap toys were not hard to come by as long as you planned for it. She should have realized that boosting morale in the household with a decent Christmas would make the children deal with the other sacrifices better. A day of normalcy when you don't have to feel like a downtrodden piece of crap goes a long way.

I didn't know too many adults back then who spent their lives wallowing in self-pity, even the drunks. I didn't find this film representative of the time.

[–] marine1137 14 years ago

HI, kryoall-676-393527. I love your description of Bates' character, as a "piece of crap." :)

Having never seen the film myself, but still familiar with the storyline, I can safely write that I know a woman from South Dakota (another rural, downtrodden state) whose father died at a young age from a work-related accident leaving the mother and the five kids virtually nothing but bereavement and despair, also during the time of the mid-1960s.

However, this woman's mother provided EVERYTHING for her children (as parents MUST do) so that they could have some semblance of a "normal" childhood. My friend said that her mother would repeatedly wear clothes for years and years previous so that the kids could have their well-maintained shoes and clothes.

So yes, thankfully not ALL parents are whiny pieces of crap who project and displace their misfortune and frustration on to their children. The kids are going to soon learn about "having it rough," and doing with less/dealing with adult scenarios soon enough. Why rush the process??

Having read this board, now I don't think I'll be viewing this film, though Kathy Bates is a wonderful actress.

[–] fiatlux-1 12 years ago

Again, I agree with the OP. This mom loved her kids, but she was just selfish as a rule. I know this was a different time, but still.
First, she has SIX kids. I don't care if its 1960 or 2012. You have to consider that something might happen to one of you, and how are you going to provide for them ALONE? If you can't, don't have six kids! Have 1 or 2!
Plus, she tells the kids that they are only giving things for their house...what??? What kind of stupid idea is that? Kids want a fun Christmas, the best one you can afford of course.
I would have bought each child one gift, and then 'bought' some gifts 'for the house'. Baked a cake or some Christmas cookies. Strung popcorn or lights.

That mom was loving in her heart, but she was clueless at what was in her kids' minds frequently.

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

[–] jimmypage195 11 years ago

Trust me the mom is anything but a bitch, she's a woriking mom with 5 or 6 kids and she always puts their priority before hers, and they can't be worry free cause they are poor they don't have that privilege .

[–] IcingOnTheCake 8 years ago

She lost her job and her son was in trouble. She thought she could find a better life for them elsewhere. She did teach them to work hard and appreciate the little things. They worked together as a family unit. A head in the clouds kid often becomes a clueless adult. Her children had a head start at becoming productive.

Christmas is supposed to be about more than just receiving material gifts. It's great when people can have both since it's become so commercialized. That is thanks to the advertisers and they and the product makers are reaping the benefits. It could be a nice thing to have children pick names and then create, make, and/or find the gifts to give. I remember a Seventh Heaven episode about it.