Rantings about Motherhood

Do I have to point out that mothering is hard work? I don’t think so.

These are only a few of the many hats we wear as moms:

• Staff nurse
• Chauffeur ♦ Laundry service ♦ Reminder service
• Teacher
• Tutor
• Coach
• Playmate
• Counselor
• Chef
• Dietician
• Psychologist
• CEO
• Interior designer
• Groundskeeper
• Bookkeeper

“Based on a survey of more than 28,000 mothers, Salary.com determined that the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $117,867 for a stay-at-home mom. Working moms ‘at-home’ salary is $71,868 in 2010; this is in addition to the salary they earn in the workplace.”¹

At Salary.com you can find out how much you personally are worth as a mom. Fill in variables such as how many pre-schoolers or school-aged children you have, what zip you live in, what jobs you fill at home and write yourself a check.

A mother averages 90-100 hours on the job per week and 6.5 hours of sleep per night. No wonder mothers feel exhausted much of the time. You get up and hit the ground running just to stay in one place on the merry-go-round.

I cannot say the job is thankless. There are some great perks like:

• snuggling on the couch
• hearing, “I love you, Mommy!”
• watching a toddler’s delight as they experience nature
• feeling pride at new accomplishments – like sticking out tongue for the first time.

What I can say is that thanks come less often in proportion to age until your child moves out of the family home.

A tribute to the love parents feel for their children is the fact that we don’t kill them during the teenage years. I speak softly and am not quick to anger; yet, even I found myself breaking a (flimsy!) yardstick over my son’s head when he would not stop back-talking.

An article I read while at the DR’s office sustained me through those years. To summarize: be glad when your children oppose you verbally and physically because they are perfecting their ability to stand up for themselves when they leave home. My children are experts at standing up for themselves.

One of the best rewards for parents, specifically moms, is to see maturity blossom in their adult children. These adults are not clones of either parent, but their own person. I was amazed to see the child I considered shy becoming a strong woman and leader. The clown became an intelligent, compassionate man. Maybe the yardstick worked?

Once children move out of the house, suddenly Mom and Dad become much wiser. Finally, you get to hear those young people you have sacrificed for say – “Now I understand why you did that.” Or “Thank you for giving me the freedom to make my own decisions/mistakes.” That makes it worth it all!

That’s why I welcome this yearly opportunity to nudge our children into giving us props. When my children ask me what I want for Mother’s Day, I say “Just send me a mushy card and write on it why you are glad I am your mom.”

Yes, we made and (continue to make) mistakes. Our actions have love at the center.

So to all moms AND to the schoolteachers, choir directors, aunts, uncles, and youth leaders who became partners in raising godly, responsible adults, I say…
You are awesome! You may never know the full impact of the difference you have made in that young person’s life. May God bless you, because we can never repay you for what you have done.

P.S. Thank you, Mom.

1. http://swz.salary.com/momsalarywizard/htmls/mswl_momcenter.html [↩]