I cannot help but feel that my job as a mother is very quickly becoming obsolete. I am perusing the brochures arriving in the mail from the universities my third and youngest son has applied to. I have been committed to this mother of all jobs for over 25 years now. Although the interview process was slow and stressful, once I knew the job was mine, there was no looking back.
Check out my book about the stresses I encountered in the interview G9P3A3 The years have truly flown by, with the high points and low points all blended together in my memory. These memories represent an amazing opportunity I am extremely grateful for.
I believe that the job of being a mother is the most important as well as the most difficult job a woman can ever have. This may seem like an old-fashioned, anti-feminist, and sexist statement, but it is one made in genuine respect for all mothers, including those within the animal kingdom. Mothers, like the offspring they bear, come in all shapes, sizes, colors and species. A pregnant female takes on the mental and physical responsibility to nurture, grow, love, provide for and protect her children, an important job for many years.
Of course, some mothers have a much easier job than others. Things like age, IQ, location, financial and marital status, as well as level of education can all influence their individual job descriptions and performance levels. The best part is that although being a mother can be a difficult job, it can also be the most rewarding job. Fortunately, the conditions mentioned that make the job easier or more difficult do not necessarily have any effect on the level of success achieved. Introducing a happy, content, respectful, emotionally and socially stable adult to the world is a reward beyond comparison, one that all the money in the world cannot purchase.
Despite an expected reduction in my job’s responsibilities coming soon, I hope to stay on as a senior consultant and advisor for many years to come.
Update
My second son just turned thirty and my baby is almost twenty-five. None live at home, in fact, the two eldest have families of their own. I am currently the proud grandma to five beautiful and energetic grandchildren with a sixth arriving any day now. Just as their parents and uncle changed my life years ago, these sweethearts are now my pride and joy.
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So beautifuly written Lori and so true. Irena
You couldn’t have said it any better. I’m grateful for the gift of motherhood.
I moved away from home a little less than two years ago as did my younger brother a few months after me, a double-whammy for my parents. My youngest brother is still home, but in just a year or two, my mom will experience the same things. Even though she isn’t with me, she will always be my mom, the woman I turn to for advice or to share stuff with, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye sometimes. So even though some responsibilities may be reduced for you as your children take on more, the role you have as their mother never comes to an end. Being a mother is the best job there is and one that is truly never obsolete.
My mom raised 7 children and 3 are grown and gone, with the others soon to follow. But my mom is a much-needed glue, traveling companion, and baby/cooking consultant. 🙂
Good for you! I was afraid my mom would start to feel left out and unneeded, but that definitely has not happened!! 🙂
Reblogged this on Cristian Mihai.
I love this and can totally asocciated with you, my son will be off to Uni in September and a few tears, will I am sure be shed. I still have my youngest shes 13 but a mothers job is priceless. The day I became a mother was the day I knew my real purpose here on earth.
Beautiful piece. x 🙂
Your welcome. 🙂
Congrats, on achieving such high level of accomplishment on your job as a mom, your job has just transition to a new level as you mentioned Senior Advisor/consultant. Mothers and the job they do are at the very foundation of existence and development of society as Abraham Lincoln said: all that I am and all that I ever hope to become I owe it to my mother.
A very fine post. To mothers!
Lori – I have 3 teenagers- two 17 year old sons (not twins, one is adopted) and a daughter about to turn 16. Last week, colleges started sending them TONS of applications. My heart skips a beat every time I see one of those envelopes. I want them to grow up, but I also want to hold them tight to my heart.
I completely empathize with you, and love your take on motherhood.
Remember —
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are made for.” – John Shedd
Thank you for sharing with us!
Perhaps you will also be able to mentor and guide some future moms through the work you do ‘outside’ of motherhood! This was very beautiful thank you!
Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented:
The responsibility of raising another human being is awesome. I’m sorry I could not be a stay-at-home mom for my kids.
I worked part-time when I could and my kids turned out okay, but my biggest issue was that I missed most of the fun of their growing up. Being a nurse, most of my shifts were evening and nights. I finally got a day job and loved it! By that time the boys were all in school. It was perfect. About 1-2 years later, we had to move–11 hours away. I was almost going to divorce hubby just to keep my job! 🙂
Well done and well said!
Reblogged this on David Snape and Friends.
This is a situation that I am on the rim of. I absolutely love a multi-generational home. I think that there are many advantages of growing up surrounded my several generations of people who love and guide you. My son is still living with me and I love that but I know his career will take him in the not to distant future to “The Big City”. I am OK with that, sort of, I know he is prepared and he knows he is loved. And, every child knows Mom is only a phone call away. That is the best part. Our children grow and follow their dreams but we always will be Mom.
As much as I sometimes rant about the intrusion that technology is in our lives there is nothing better than answering a phone and hearing a familiar voice say “Hi Mom”. Have a wonderful weekend. I look forward to more of your posts.
Not only worthy content but also a most fitting article title. 🙂