The dishes are unwashed, the clothes are unfolded, the toys are all over the floor. This may or may not have been the 3rd time this week we have take-away or fried food or what’s left over from the fridge. This may or may not be the 5th time in a row that the bedroom and the kitchen and the living room are in disarray. The days have dragged on, and the nights are a little bit more different than usual. Noise and chatters echo in the house – your kids, your husband, your family. There have been better days, but to be honest, these moments are unparalleled. Being with family has made this situation bearable.
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You find yourself juggling work and home life in this “new normal.” How do you avoid smiling at them when your kids’ heads pop up as they open the door during your Zoom meeting? How do you avoid picking them up when they start crying for your attention right in the middle of working on your spreadsheets and presentations? How do you keep yourself from walking away from your reports when you hear their giggles calling you out like a siren song?
Not everyone understands how much willpower it takes for you to keep away from all these responsibilities when all you want to do is have just a few minutes to yourself. To think, to compose yourself, to just take a breather. Not everyone understands how draining it is to make sure that food is on the table, the kids are taking their online lessons and happy and not bored, the house is tidy and sanitized, on top of your mounting work deadlines you still have to meet, despite the slow internet connection and the countless distractions in your every day. How do you do it, mom?
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I’ll tell you what. It’s because you are made of power and grace, strength and faith, resilience and love. You make the house run like clockwork, making sure nothing misses a beat. Every ticking and tocking, purposeful; every hand movement, deliberate. And as you fulfill multiple roles that this new normal has offered you – parent, wife, daughter, sister, employee, employer, boss, freelancer, stay-at-home-mom — do not forget to take time for yourself. You need to recharge so you can continue being the awesome person that you are. You need to recharge so you can be your 100% and more. No matter what you do, no matter who you are, you keep it together like no other. You deserve the praise and celebration even on your off days.
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This mother’s day, take a break. Go ahead and draw a long bath. Meditate and do yoga or Pilates or any of your home exercises. Pick up that book you’ve been wanting to read. Watch that k-drama your friends have been raving about. Get your well-deserved quiet time and have a cup of coffee or tea. Expel the negative and guilt feelings for wanting some time for yourself. You’re doing more than enough to keep things together. Breathe a little. Relax a little. You may be at home, but it doesn’t mean you’re just at home. You are home.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Republished from The Wander Mom Blog
About the Author: Hi, I’m War (yes, yes, that’s really my name), also known as The Wander Mom. I am a full-time single mom of 2, and a sales & marketing employee for most of my waking hours. I enjoy long walks, repetitive music, a warm cup of coffee with my daily drag, and great conversations with non-strangers. Writing has always been my passion, and this is my continued attempt at keeping it (and myself) alive.
Read: Thanks mom, for raising me well even though you had to do it alone