Where's My Paycheck?

I'm writing this blog post as I finish cleaning our bathroom. My youngest daughter is napping and it's killing me that instead of cutting felt or sewing I am scrubbing grout and trying to unclog a stubborn sink drain. I know it's true that the bathroom has been neglected for some time now, but darn it I hate cleaning it! As I'm steam cleaning the tile in the shower I'm wondering to myself again... Why it is that I don't earn a pay check for this job called motherhood? How come I don't earn a bonus for getting up six times during a meal to get my kids something just so I can finally sit down to a cold meal? Where's the gold star on my report card for rocking a sleepless child back to sleep in the dark of night while everyone else is peacefully sleeping? Where is my "You make the prettiest piles of clean laundry" award? Where's my vacation time and sick pay? I keep looking for these things but they are no where to be found.

My sister has a saying that goes something like this "A mother's j0b is to keep her kids alive and to move stuff from one part of the house to another." I took the time to really think about this and darn it she's right! Of course I noticed she was right as I was taking toys back downstairs to the playroom and then gathering up a pile of clothes that belonged upstairs. I have a wise sister!



I often think that mothers who work outside of the home have it the toughest. I can't imagine how hard it is to juggle their time. It's funny though... I'm a La Leche League Leader who provides support and information to breastfeeding moms. I got a call once from a mom who was having some difficulty not only breastfeeding but juggling a busy life. She worked outside of the home and I expressed my admiration of her. She in turn told me that she thought that stay-at-home moms had it much harder. Funny how the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

I write all of this with a smile on my face because really I love what I am doing. I love being a wife to my husband and a mom to my kids. And really I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. So I'll continue to scrub grout and unclog sinks and eat cold meals. Even if I don't earn an actual paycheck for motherhood, I've found that the benefits are better than any job I've ever had!

So little kids around the world listen up! Give your mama a hug today! She works really hard and still manages to love you every minute of the day! Thank goodness for motherhood!...now back to my grout!