Mother’s Day is EVERYDAY

Today is Mother’s Day! I must be honest; it was not on my radar. Family and work keep me so busy!  There are days I am happy to have just completed all my errands and “to dos.”  Mother’s Day is EVERY DAY, but I suppose mothers should have a day where we can be celebrated for all the work and time we invest in developing our families. This year is a big one for me. I rang in the new year with a positive pregnancy test. The Perez family is growing, and we could not be happier. 

MOTHER’S DAY

Being a mother can be a task, a joy, and a struggle all at the same time. It is a full-time job and even when we are not physically present, we are perpetually amid mothering. This year I have reflected on being a mother.  Each of my babies are so different, which has caused me to evolve and adapt accordingly. My eldest daughter is almost four, and she is a joy. Watching her eyes brighten with every new experience brings me excitement, but occasionally scares me. She loves people and trying new things. Whenever I expose her to new tasks, she loves to respond by providing a big arm flex and saying, “I can do it mommy, I am big and strong.” 

My younger daughter is almost two years old, and boy, can she hold her own against her sister! As expected, she tries her best to keep up with big sister and wants to do everything her big sister does. She wants to jump on the trampoline and climb up and down the ladder on her own. She is also very particular and consistent. Her bedtime routine is not complete until she has her pacifier, sleep sack, and stuffed animal. If she does not have all three of these items, then stand by! She is also a wonderful eater. I feel like a Cordon Bleu gourmet chef when I cook for her, because she certainly eats like I am! (I am most certainly not a chef). 

I am sure this next baby on the way will be similar and yet, different from my two other girls. They all have their own personalities, which require a different tact when parenting and taking care of their needs. 

Circling back to Mother’s Day, I find that being a mother is ever-changing because so are my children. It is a joy and a struggle, especially while pregnant. I will have three children under five and boy, can I tell you, I have learned to embrace the chaos. I did not start off that way. If you know me, I thrive on consistency and order. I enjoy routine, but I have learned to adapt to them and all it requires. I was so paranoid about my first and all the associated dos and don’ts.  I was so worried about “doing” motherhood wrong. I have learned that grace is a huge thing we usually provide for our children and spouses, but find it extremely hard to give to ourselves. I wish I could say I was a mother that was always on, but there were moments I wish I could have managed better, moments I wish I had taken a step back to enjoy.

The other day, my daughter learned about emotions in preschool. I did not initially know it was a school topic, but I soon found out. During dinner, my daughter suddenly said, “Mommy you are angry.” It was not a question. I wanted to laugh because her statement was not exactly wrong. She is a distracted eater and was not having her dinner.  In frustration, I then told her, “Oh no honey, mommy is not angry. I am disappointed because I made you a yummy dinner and you are not eating it.” Honestly, sometimes being a mother makes me laugh. The conversations with a toddler make me laugh, but there are times that catch me off guard. She displayed her level of intelligence by recognizing her emotions. She also showed me that she watches me. She can identify behavior. Which provided me with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on parenting and teaching my child.

Everyone’s journey in motherhood and creating a family is not the same. That is a beautiful thing to recognize. We were all made different and unique. Sometimes that uniqueness can bring frustration and sadness, miscarriages, difficult pregnancies, fertility issues, and loss. Many moms have issues they are privately working through. A friend recently provided me with a gentle reminder. It showed me how tough these issues can be, and how uncomfortable it can be to share or talk about. Just remember moms, we are all working through something.

I am still learning, and the journey continues. I find that taking a moment to celebrate being a mother is important. Motherhood encompasses one’s identity. It changes as your children grow, and it transforms. Motherhood is exciting and something to be valued. We shape our families. It is an honor and an amazing duty to have. It is okay that not every day is a grand motherhood moment. But Mother’s Day is something to recognize. You give and give.  Take a moment, reflect and feel the impact you are making.  

 We are mothers on the job, but we also “mother.” Being a mother is an action verb. It is not just a title. Happy Mother’s Day.