A Day in the Life of a Mother©
Posted: Thursday, May 08, 2008
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
Mother's Day is coming up on us fast and at 73 & 75 years old we still have one mother who will be 95 this year. Reflecting upon my personal 73 years of which 51 of them included motherhood I started to think about a day in my life today.
These days I still get up about 5 or 6 a.m. opening up the computer to take care of any important emails, I feed Chocolate the dog we inherited from our late son, Jeff and take a myriad of medication that apparently helps to keep me on my feet and above ground.
This list includes writing letters, articles, research, working on a painting, dusting, answering phones, washing clothes, putting them in the dryer, emptying and loading the dishwasher, cooking meals, running errands, picking up groceries, doing some civic functions, finding time to read a few pages in the current book of the week, remembering friends and family birthdays, anniversaries, getting out the necessary get-well cards or sorry about your loss cards, getting the mail, finding money to pay the bills, fixing broken things around the house, finding space for a power nap and a myriad of other things that seem to fill this day and this is all at the age of 73!
How the heck did I get through the days when there was 5 kids, a husband to make feel special, 3 businesses to run, civic duties to perform, social obligations to tend to, chauffeuring at least until one of the kids was old enough to get a driver's license and the chore was turned over the them, clean, cook and sew and lord knows what else filled my day which probably included a lot of the above.
Being a mother does not end when the kids grow up and move away. We still worry about them and telephone and emails allow us for faster and hopefully, more often, communication as opposed to the old days when one said, "Wonder why they don't write".
Today's mom has more pressures than ever as far as I am concerned. Sure she is not crossing the country in a covered wagon or living in a sod-buster's house, but chances are she has a full time job, often is a single mom and is still trying to do most of the things mentioned above. Today's mom more than likely does not have all the home making skills that gals of our age were taught and more than likely her mom was not a "stay at home" mom which really added a lot to a kids up bringing.
Being a mother is a full time chore, beloved most of the time, but a full time chore! We need to pat ourselves on the back, girls because men could never do it!
So my advice to you moms is to make sure your find a space every day for yourself. One hour where no one or nothing can get to you. One time a week where you can take a workshop or a course that allows you to pursue a dream, a hobby or whatever. Believe me the rest will still be there when you walk back into motherhood, but at least you will have had a breather!
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Hi Arlene, my mom took that time for herself only once a week. But at least she took it. My sister and I never really understood at the time. Why did she close the door to her bedroom? What was she doing in there? She always came out with freshly painted finger and toe nails. He hair was done up nice and she had put on make-up. I know now that this was her "me" time and it made her feel good. I am not a mom. I never wanted to go down that road, much to my mother's disappointment. But that doesn't mean I don't have the utmost respect for the sacrifices all mothers make. This is a wonderful reminder of all that it takes to be a mother. We really should take more than just one day out of each year to honor them. DianneYou are correct, Dianne, because before you know it Mom is gone and nothing but memories remain. I hope they are good ones for you. Arlene Wright-Correll
I enjoyed your article Arlene. I am one of the fortunate ones who is able to get that "me" time. Sometimes it is just by taking a long walk but as you said, the rest will still be here when I return. Great Article, KimberlyThank you Kimberly. Now a day moms need to stop all this multi-tasking and do some serious me-time that will help them keep the motherhood on an even keel. Peace, light and love Arlene Wright-Correll
hi arlene, this was such a well written, smooth, and enjoyable article. i had 3 little ones under 5, and their father was away 2 weeks, and home 2 weeks. i did what i could for myself when he was home to babysit. now, with only a 17 year old left, i get to do exactly what i want, when i want, and although i'd rather my kids were home, it feels good. thanks for sharing, best regards, sue thomSue Thom, Thank you for reading my article. I know where you are coming from as we had 5 wonderful kids at home for many, many years. Thank you for the compliments. "tread the earth lightly, and in the meantime, may your days be filled with... Peace, Light and Love, Arlene Wright-Correll
Hello Aunt Arlene, I have such respect for you, all you have done in your life, and all you continue to do in light of all the good and not so good happenings in your life. I am most honored to have you as a role model. Reading this article has helped me remember that it is okay to do things for me, all the time, not just when the "men folks" aren't around. Keep up your busy days. Love, Wren
Atta girl Wren, Happy you read the article, Happier you are taking heed and you are a super mom as far as I am concern simply because you are a super niece. Peace, light and love, Aunt Arlene
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