The Most Difficult and Rewarding Job...Being a Mother

I brought this article back out for a few reasons, to remind women of just how important their role. As a single mother myself, I know what extreme difficulties you go through, and I commend you for waking up and working hard day in and day out. As a mother, we don't get a break. It's non-stop. In today's society, mothers hold the record for working the hardest, for having the most difficult roles, and for facing the most challenges raising children. Although there is no salary for this job, one could not emphasize a price tag for this position for it is genuinely priceless. Life as I know it is nothing at all like it was 30 years ago when I was a child. At age 19, I became a mother. It was a title that I was more than ready to take on and as I began this new chapter in my life, I quickly realized that there was someone more important to care for, consider, and to worry about than myself. It was no longer all about me.

Regardless of how roles have changed and the new responsibilities that a mom takes on in day to day life and activities, one thing has certainly not changed...a mothers love. It is an unconditional type of love like that of no other. No longer can we be selfish and pout about everyday issues. No longer is it all about us, for now we have taken on a much larger responsibility. When your child is conceived, it is at that moment that your life changes forever. You become a barrier shield for this child and will continue to protect him/her throughout their lives. There is no age limit where a mother stops worrying, if you think that there is, talk to my mother.

In a world where mothers and homemakers are mocked each and everyday, by anybody and everyone, there are a few that stand alone and tall. These few know the true power behind motherhood; they know what and who mothers really are. Mothers are the superheroes, the one that children can turn to at any given time. Mothers have the most challenging and the most rewarding job in the world. This is the ultimate full time job; in fact it is twenty-four hours a day, from the first child until the mother dies. You see once a mother always a mother; what other job offers that kind of a deal? Not one single job or career can do that. For those women who think that the workforce is the most challenging or difficult; they should try being a mother. A mothers love is the most difficult of jobs for it is the heart of the family.

Anyone can get pregnant or adopt but it takes real commitment and hard work to be a mother. There isn't a book of rule or a set of blueprints on how to be a good mother, it all comes with life's experiences and making mistakes ourselves to learn from them. No one is perfect, and mothers realize this, but it is all of our imperfections that come together while raising our child/children that set us apart from everyone else. It takes a real women to hold the title of a "mother." It takes a real woman with determination and goals to give her kids a life that some only dream of. Myself, being a single mother for the past 13 years has showed me that although things can get rocky at times, a mothers love and that certain bond she has with her children is the glue that later on holds our lives together. This is the same glue that makes us stronger, keeps us close and protective of our families like a mother bear watching over her cubs.

Only a mother can handle raising children, by starting out at at the crack of dawn in the morning to feed a child and throughout the day handle the children; feeding them again when they are hungry, giving them naps, cleaning up their messes, potty training them, teaching them to ride their bike without training wheels, teaching them how to read, write, do math, putting together dioramas for school projects at midnight at night, rushing around to lacrosse, baseball, dance lessons, ballet and other life skills. Helping them pick out their prom dresses and shuffling them around town to friends houses. As a mother, I worked more than one job to show my children the ways of the world and to try to teach them what they needed to know about culture, society, life and love. A mothers job you see never ends. There is no expiration date or renewal. It is a never ending role that we partake with love and pride. Hey, no one ever said this was going to be easy.

 For those who think that being a mother doesn’t make a difference this is my reply and rebuttal, try to debate this if you can.  Are you the kind of mom who likes to get out and be on the go? Or are you the kind of mom who likes quiet time at home?Are you the kind of mom who encourages creativity in your children? Or are you the kind of mom who shows your children the practical, hands-on stuff of the world? Are you the kind of mom who fosters your children's intellectual pursuits?...Or the kind of mom who is likely to initiate a heart-to-heart talk? Are you the kind of mom who goes with the flow in the moment? Or the kind of mom who likes to have some structure to your day? 

You are the stepping stone in which your children will adhere to the way of life and become stronger. You are the one that your children will look up to and admire for years to come, and like any mother, including myself, you want to set those standards from which our children are raised with great ethics, integrity and morals. Being a mother is a very difficult job and anyone who says it is easy had to have missed something between point A and point B. The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to become a parent. Being a great mother comes from within and it is something that is a built in mechanism that we hold in our heart that unlocks that unconditional love day in and day out.You could have many of these attributes or some or any combination. And each one is just right!

Don't beat yourself up if your kids make mistakes, or do things that you don't want them to do. From the time that your children were born you have instilled great values in them and as they watched you take on your roles as a mother and parent they have learned. No, they might not realize all of this right away, or even comprehend this as you would want them to, but trust me, as they become young adults, and when they become a parent themselves, only then will they see the sacrifices that you made to give them a better life. Only then will they see a true mothers love. Are you a mother? If so, take a moment to pat yourself on the back for you certainly deserve it! Your children are lucky to have you as a mom, because no one else could do it the same way as you. You are special being you! You are good enough being yourself and if others don't like that...they don't know you at all.

If you believe that you are not good enough, your children will pick up on that, so show them that you are unstoppable and that you can do anything... for you are the perfect image, like looking into a mirror, they see life through your eyes. Smile, and never show your uncertainties to them. Never show them your doubts or your worries. Be strong and know that with the curves thrown at you every day in life that you are ready for the challenges come hell or high water. You have to believe in yourself right now and always. 

 Give thanks to your children as they give thanks to you. Being a parent goes hand in hand with the techniques and skills of raising your children, and it is that love that you have for them each and every day that has molded them into who they are today. I couldn't be more proud of my two kids, and although I made many mistakes and will probably still continue to, they love me for me, unconditionally. Remember, you are one of a kind! You are Super Mom!