For years, I’ve joked with Justin about my job as “CEO” of the Gagnon family, and my frequent frustration with my “direct reports”. When my aunt sent me a recent New York Times opinion piece disguised as a job description for my position, it had me in stitches.
The author describes, with hilarity and clarity, the job description of a Mother. All-consuming, and usually daunting from all angles, this role is laid out in a way that we can all empathize with and relate. From list-making and spot-treating, to keeping our kids safe and alive, the scope of the role is immense. My favorite part of the piece is when the author describes how to “measure success” in this role of motherhood, explaining that it’s often impossible to gauge (duh!), even 20 or 30 years into the position. The author points out the reality that we are all just training the people we love most to leave us forever, and sarcastically concludes that the role of a Mother is, therefore, “dumb”.
Just this week, I experienced the hilarity of motherhood firsthand. It had been a crazy day – my kids had been to school, my littlest to his gym class, and the afternoon held a softball game, chess class, and a trip to the library with the kids. I had prepared three meals, done plus or minus 7 loads of laundry, and managed to do a few errands for an upcoming fundraiser I was helping with. I helped the kids with homework, paid some bills, and made dental/doctor appointments for a few of my children. I texted my husband to tell him I loved him, called my Mom to catch up, and somehow showered. That evening, as I came downstairs, having just monitored teeth-brushing, listened to book-reading, snuggled, and put four kids to bed, all I wanted was a deep breath, and a few moments of peace to relax before doing it all over again the next day.
And there it was, waiting for me on the kitchen counter. A small drawing from one of my twin boys.
Yup, that about sums it up. #motherhood #nailedit
Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms out there.
