And then Gwyneth Paltrow said…
“Moms who work 9-5 have it easier”.
Have you seen this USA Today article? If not, check it out, then come back to read this post…..
Finished?
What did you think? Did you agree? Or are you like most working moms and think she lost her mind?
You’d think because of her financial status being a mother should be easy. So what, you work out of town and on set for hours on end, you can pay someone to clean up your house and cook dinner, right? What about babysitting? That’s in your budget too, right? If you decide to not take a job and sit at home or vacation with your family for weeks on end, that’s easy, you’ve got it made…..Right????
But then again, the grass always looks greener on the other side….
Personally? As a mother of four kids who has worked nine to five jobs- first and second shift- and been a stay-at- home -mom (or homemaker for all those politically correct ones out there!) who is now a work- at- home -mom/entrepreneur….I had to laugh. I think she has a valid point about the demands of her chosen career, but regardless of what you do for a living, being a wife and mother is a demanding, 24/7 job, regardless of whether you work full-time, part-time, or are a stay-at-home mom.
Let’s break it down… what are the responsibilities of a mother (married or single)?
Parent (obviously)
Doctor/Nurse- When everyone else is sick
Psychiatrist- When someone in the family is having a bad day
Chef/Nutritionist- Gotta feed them!
Taxi Driver- School, sports, sleepovers, etc.
Teacher- Home work!
Hairdresser- ponytails and haircuts!
Personal Shopper/Stylist- Clothes, personal hygiene
Entertainer- “Mom, I’m bored!!!”
Maid- Cleaning the house, washing clothes
Police Officer/Detective- “Alright, who did this????”
Money Manager- Gotta pay those bills!
Lover -(for dad if there’s one in the picture)- If you still have enough energy at the end of the day!
Friend….For everyone!
Did I miss any?
None of those jobs have cut off times. It doesn’t matter if you work a 9 to 5 (cell phones and text messages keep everyone a button push away), or if your home all day. The only time ANY mother gets a break is when the entire house is sleeping….or if the kids go to grandma’s or a sleepover….or you run out the house screaming mad! 
In the end, it’s all about finding balance in your life, and I’d be lying if I said I’d found the perfect balance in mine. Things change, life changes, new responsibilities arise, deadlines, family schedules change… In the end, being flexible and realizing when it’s time to re-evaluate and revamp the schedule is key. Following that schedule, well, that can be a challenge!
If you’re blessed to have a partner who has your back when it comes to raising your kids and managing the household, you’ve got a one up on the situation. If your single and doing it alone- especially if you have more than one child to manage- it’s a struggle. Depending on the ages of your kids, you may be able to find a bit of relief and balance when it comes to managing some of the household task such as assigning chores like cleaning the kitchen, vacuuming, feeding the pets, washing clothes, and if you have one old enough to drive, take your siblings to school!!!
Regardless of what your work/at-home situation is, being a mother is a labor of love. It takes time, commitment, patience, perseverance, and yep…again, love. Every mother’s situation is different, and yes, it is easier for some than it is for others. Either way, it’s still a job, and instead of getting paid in dollars, we get paid in hugs and kisses! Priceless!
Join me and other authors tonight as we chat with LaShaunda Hoffman of SORMAG Magazine, and share our experiences of being mothers, authors, and more! Call in with your questions!
Balance-Finding it as a writer, mom, and wife
April 7th, 9 PM EST
Dial in #: (530)881-1300
Access Code: 519576
Sign up for call-in info - http://mad.ly/signups/105801/join
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MJ
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