First of all, I need to start this by stating that my boss really is an incredible person. That being said, she’s also extremely needy, demanding, dramatic, vocal, requires lots of errands, will literally throw her food on the floor if she doesn’t like it, and expects me to be available 24 hours a day.
7 days a week.
No, she’s no Devil Wears Prada, but she does give Meryll a run for her money – oh yeah, minus the money. Did I mention I am working completely for free?
As you might guess, she’s only 14 months old. And she really does need me. Maybe as much as I need her.
Welcome to my latest resume title: MOM.
It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had and is certainly the lowest (monetarily) paying. So many women do it, and so few are applauded for it.
I’ve always viewed “success” as being tied with your title, position’s bragging rights, and/or monthly paycheck weight.
People ask me almost daily what I’ve been up to, and the answer never seems to really capture all that I want to say. The truth is, my reply won’t be so different from the last time they checked in. “The boss” and I stick to a pretty standardized schedule these days of pre-sunrise wake-ups, diaper changing, bottle warming, snack and meal prepping, dog walking, MyGym-ing, mommy & me-ing, napping, not napping, distracting distracting distracting … and REPEAT.
To some, it may sound like a vacation or prime unemployment “break,” but I can promise you it’s anything but. It really is WORK.
Somehow in the past, my answers of “just wrapped up a red carpet” or “sold a home” or “headed to NYC to a satellite office for the Summer” always seemed way more “impressive”.
This identity shift is challenging, and the need to hold onto some non-mommy bragging rights, passions, interests or even professions is essential, but it’s also NOT EASY with a toddler attached to your leg.
Luckily for me, I can still be a realtor and thanks to you, a bit of a blogger too. But those two things are crammed into small windows, and ones that I can’t fully rely will be there every day.
I know this seems like one ginormous vent sesh, and maybe it is. What I really want it to be, though, is a call to action to make “M O M” a legitimate, respectable occupation that doesn’t require any further explanation.
OF COURSE everyone doesn’t have the luxury to, or isn’t fully fulfilled by being a full-time stay at home mom, and to the working mommies (again, all mommies WORK, but to those who have another job on TOP of it) I salute you. To me, that requires Cirque De Soleil levels of balance.
Nothing can prepare you for motherhood, or the new CEO you’ll be “assigned to”. Our job perks are vast, but ask any stay at home mom how driving to an office, hot cup of coffee in hand and audiobook playing in the background sounds? My cold cup of joe is saying, not so bad!
OK, break time’s over. Back to it!!
XOXO,
ICIWID