…..because we really aren’t “just” a mom……
After having a child, I have more respect for mothers, and even more for my own mom. Growing up I took so much for granted when it came to my mom, and the role she played in my life. I never stopped to consider the sacrifices she made daily for her kids and family as a whole.
I guess I viewed her as “just my mom,” nothing more or nothing less. As I begin to grow older and start my own life, I realized just how much my mom gave our family. Now that I have my own little girl, I have realized just how amazing moms are, and how much they give and give and keep on giving each and every day, of their time, money, energy, sleep, talents, and love.
I started to dwell on the whole “just a mom” phrase after our church played this video on Mothers Day. It’s worth the watch (I urge you to watch it all the way through) and put so much into perspective for me. Until this defining point, I had never really took into consideration a mom’s job.…24/7, 365 days a year, no vacations, no pay, no sick days, always on call, kind of job….the worlds toughest job.
I remember feeling this deep appreciation for moms, and felt it even more as I started my journey in motherhood. I have got to the point that I hate hearing the reply: “oh I am just a mom” when asked “What do you do?,” as if they feel embarrassed to admit that “all they do is stay home with the kids.” As if it’s such an easy job. Because in reality, every mother is not “just a mom.”
When I made the transition to motherhood, I was finishing up my Masters degree in Nutrition. I vowed that even with a baby at home I wanted to work outside the home upon finishing. It didn’t take me long to realize that I wanted to be a mom. I felt less of a person by wanting to be a stay at home mom, I felt embarrassed. Then I remembered the video I had watched and I quickly figured out how much work it actually is.
It’s not degrading to be a mom. It doesn’t make you any less of a woman, or a weaker woman. In fact, I would call myself a feminist, who believes women are strong and capable of doing just as much or more than men in the work force. But I also strongly believe that a woman could be feminist and be a stay at home mom. In fact, moms fulfill one of the toughest jobs.
I would argue until my death, that parenting is one of the hardest jobs, by far, in the whole entire world. Maybe this is why some don’t want to have kids. I have the privilege of staying home with my daughter, and taking her with me to work when I do work. Some women don’t want this privilege, and that’s fine, and maybe others wish they were able to be home.
Mom’s are so much more. We wear many different hats. We are more than a mom, we are an encourager, a doctor, a nurse, a playmate, a teacher, a superhero, a chef, a pillow, a shoulder to lean on, a tissue, a healer, a listening ear, when we need to be. We become a ref, a therapist, an advocate, a fan, a 24/7 help.
We spend our days guarding our children’s hearts, praying for them, caring for them, picking up after them, feeding them, washing them and their clothes, providing a safe environment, talking with them, crying with them, cuddling them, kissing them, playing with them,,,,,,
We have to be ready for anything, all of life’s surprises. We have to sometimes wear a smile and hold our tongue, when we would rather scream or cry.
Until you have done it, and I mean being a mom, I honestly don’t think you can ever say it’s easy or say “Oh she is just a mom.” We have one of the hardest jobs. Another human being’s life is left in the care of us. We have a job that never ends.We are raising the next generation. It’s both rewarding and challenging.
So when I am asked what I do for a living, I proudly say I am a mom. When others sometimes ask the second question “Well what do you do all day?” or “Is that all you do?” I kindly reply that my days are full with raising a child, while keeping a house and being a wife. I could list off all the different “hats” I wear too, but that would be quite a list.
It’s not lame to be a mom. It’s a job that takes courage, patience, grace, love, commitment and sacrifice. My wants and needs no longer come first. It’s hard, and at times I don’t know if I can go on, but every day I muster up more courage, patience, love and selflessness to continue being the best mom, playmate, tissue, superhero, teacher, cook, I can be.
So here’s to being a mom and all the beautiful craziness it brings.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
Do you sometimes feel discouraged and challenged as a mom? Would you agree that moms have one of the hardest jobs? Penny for your thoughts….
You managed to make me cry this morning. This is so beautiful. I feel exhausted from caring for three kids with the flu and you have, in one post, lifted me up and made my day. Thank you Bry. I was wondering if you would do a guest post on my blog? Text me if your interested, would love to have something similar to this ( a from your heart type of post) No pressure- just putting it out there. Love you!
I am so glad I could help lift you up!! I think we need more of that in our society. We need to appreciate the roles a mother plays. I would love to do a guest post!! Love you girl!!
Beautifully written! Being a mom is such a hard job. What I say is you have to be “on” 24/7 which is just exhausting. Although I have a full time job too, which for me gives me some sanity. And in other ways it makes me more stressed out-making sure to get the kids out the door in the morning and pick up from school and make dinner, ect. But I think if I stayed home with my kids I would lose my patience much more easily (which is already not great) and I actually think I am a better mom because I work and am able to have some release time. Keep enjoying motherhood!
Thank you Laurie!! I think having another job for that mental break is important. There are moments where I need a mental break and I use my running for that, as well as visiting sister.
This is a beautiful post 🙂 thanks for sharing. I don’t have children yet, but I love being around my friends’ kids, and I really see the blood, sweat and tears they put into being a mom. I have so much respect for moms everywhere!!
Thank you Jess.
Motherhood is the most important job! Thank you for sharing your perspective on it and also for sharing your beautiful pictures.
I would agree!! And always you are welcome.
Very encouraging post Bry!! I do feel discouraged and challenged being “just a mom”. Discouraged because I have a sister who has a very successful career and is a mom also but my parents tend to give her lots of praise for her achievements because they are tangible and although it’s not intentional it can feel demoralizing. Challenged because sometimes I don’t feel cut out for this job and that’s when I lean into God for guidance as to how to handle it (which I should do all the time but we all miss it sometimes). I agree it is one of the hardest jobs ever, especially if I focus on the fact I am shaping my children’s characteristics and building a foundation upon which they will catapult their adult life from. When I realize this I have to remember my growth as a person is essential for their growth. They follow what we do and not what we say. We are a living book that they read each day.
However I am so honored and blessed to be “just a mom” because it’s the gift I wanted as a kid, my parents divorced while I was young and I remember coming home from school and wanting my mom to be home to talk and have a snack with but she couldn’t she had to work so I am happy to give that to my kids now and will do whatever it takes to keep it that way.
Thank you for your thoughts they have brightened my day 🙂
Kristie, I am glad the post helped to brighten your day. It’s why I love to write and blog. I think that being a mom can be discouraging for us, especially when we compare ourselves to others. Staying home with our children is a huge challenge and many moms aren’t up for it. I find that you are just as important in your role as a stay at home, as someone with a successful career. Being a mom, and being a mom who tries every day to be the best mom they can be, is a successful career if you will. YOu are doing awesome!!