On Motherhood

I have been a mom for more than 5 years now but my view of motherhood and what it means to be a mom has changed considerably since my son was born 6 months ago.

The first 4 and a half years of my mommy career were spent working either full or part time.  My daughter attended a wonderful Christian day care where she thrived and learned and grew in so many ways.  Once my son was born I quit my job and we pulled Sister out of full time day care.  My professional title no longer applied and the initials after my name indicating I had some degree of professional knowledge and passed some scary test didn't matter anymore.  The only thing my kids cared about was the title I'd had for many years, M-o-m.

Everything I do now is for, and usually with, my kids.  That is a tough concept to grasp, and quite honestly, some days I prefer to deny it all together.  I no longer have personal space.  I no longer have sick days.  I no longer have a co-worker or manager to pull in when a project gets overwhelming.  My husband is a wonderful father but he isn't always here when the baby is crying (still!) and the 5 year old wants to play school (again!) and I need to go to the bathroom.  I no longer have a paycheck in my name and I no longer have the need to wear pants without elastic, although I still do just to know they still fit.

For all I've given up, I've gained so much.  I am there when my kids need me and I'm also there to nudge them just a bit to try something they wouldn't have otherwise.  I get to hear my little girl's thoughts and questions.  I can be the one to tell her why God made the grass green and encourage her to talk to Him directly.  I now have the time to go to the park and stay as long as we'd like because there is no schedule determining how long we can stay and have fun.  And, we can get ice cream on the way home because it just sounds good.

Motherhood is the toughest job I've ever had with the most demanding bosses I've ever known!  There are days I don't know how I'll get through to bedtime but those are also the days I can show my kids that I don't always succeed and don't always have the answer.  But, I'll always have a hug and a kiss and sometimes that's all that's really needed.

Thank you to my mom for always having a hug and a kiss and a prayer.  Thank you to my mother-in-law for loving and raising her son to become the father he is today.

Happy Mother's Day!