“I’m not interested in other people’s boring lives!” my mother exclaims, as she turns from the computer screen where she has just been comparing interest rates on MoneySupermarket.com.
It is Saturday afternoon, and Mother is making her feelings clear on the small matter of blogging, which she considers to be marginally less interesting than comparing interest rates.
She does not like to read blogs; not mine, nor anyone else’s. Especially not mine.
“I’m going to start a blog!” she tells me the following day, quite out of the blue, as we are engaged in the not inconsiderable joint effort of pushing Piglet’s buggy up a hill in the boiling sunshine. “I’m going to write a blog, and it’s going to be all about how being a mum is not that bad. In fact, it’s the best job in the world!”
Yes. Yes it is. So here you are Mum, here are all the reasons why Being A Mother is the Best Job In The World.
1.) The salary cost is astronomical. Conception alone cost thousands (long story), but the finished product was well worth the investment. You don’t get that sort of return on MoneySupermarket.com.
2.) The hours are flexible. Usually involving a few mostly night shifts here and there. Apparently you’re supposed to sleep when the customer sleeps. Not useful when they won’t nap unless you’re pushing them in a pram.
3.) The healthcare benefits are fantastic. Making it through pregnancy and childbirth intact is near-nigh impossible, then there is the small matter of never getting a full night’s sleep ever again. Does wonders for the complexion. Wonders what happened to my youth.
4.) The dress code is casual. Casual enough to get away with indeterminate stains on everything.
5.) The social life is non-stop. All networking and communication takes place over the internet, usually on a phone, while the toddler breastfeeds. I can’t remember the last time I saw a friend in real life.
However, I wouldn’t be without it, any of it.
I recently read an article about mothers who regret having children. I didn’t read the comments underneath it, but my general impression is that these kind of sentiments tend to be regarded with marginally more horror than would greet a piece hailing the joys of cannibalism. Indeed, it seems as though admitting that motherhood is not always the best job in the world might be somehow breaking the secret code of motherhood.
For my part, I don’t regret having a child. On the contrary, I love it more and more each day, but I accept that not everyone feels this way one hundred per cent of the time, and that’s OK. Being a mother is amazing. It’s the best job I’ve ever done, and the best I ever will do (I’m assuming that I’m not going to suddenly turn into Beyoncé overnight), but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Anything that calls itself a “job” rarely is.
Similarly, I quite often moan about other things in my life-my real job, the one that pays the bills, my failure to have nailed a house and a husband within the accepted timeframe, living with my mother. That doesn’t mean that I don’t also appreciate those things; that I realise I am lucky to have a job that I enjoy, a roof over my head and a mother to share the joys of childcare. It just means I’m human, and we all like a bit of a whinge.
And Mum, it IS the best job in the world, but no one wants to read about that. It’s just my boring life.
This is a lovely balanced view of being a mummy. It’s hard work, but also really wonderful at the same time! You have a very engaging style of writing that makes it interesting to read (even if your mum doesn’t think so). I haven’t even told any of my ‘Real Life’ friends that I blog! #BloggerClubUK
Thanks-I know, it’s a bit nerve-wracking isn’t it, wondering what they will think of it!
I love this. I think it’s normal to have days where even the thing you love doing most in the world feels tedious! As long as the good days outweigh the bad, it’s a win!
Thanks for linking up to #BloggerClubUK 🙂
Debbie
Totally agree. And I haven’t got a lot to complain about really! Thanks for hosting.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting that being a Mum isn’t 100% rosy all the time! In fact, I think if you believe that before you have kids you’re in for a bit of a shock when they arrive 😉 I love reading blogs (and writing mine, obviously) maybe I’m just nosy? But I really like seeing into other people’s lives …! x #effitfriday
Me too! My mum and I had this conversation again this morning. She doesn’t find other people’s lives interesting, but I really do!
wow your mum makes me laugh! I really know where she is coming from – some days I feel like that – why do I blog – am I writing mind numbing stuff no one really wants to read? Am I reading the same thing day in day out? Probably on some days yes to both of these questions but then sometimes I stumble across a great post and I’m like “yes someone gets it!” or “wow, that was an interesting article” – loved this Min – very honest xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Yep, I totally feel that way some days too. In some ways it’s a good reminder that I can’t expect everyone to love all my posts, all the time. Not even I do!
Good honest post, Min.
My sister is an older mum (42) with a 2 year old and a 6 month old. I wish she was closer to Nottingham (she’s in Manchester). She knows its HARD being a mum and I know how isolating it can be when you haven’t got a huge network of folks around you to bounce ideas of or check that you aren’t being completely bonkers with regards to various aspects of parenting.
I remember her telling me how relieved she was to bump in to another mum in a supermarket that she didn’t know. They had kids of the same age and my sister dared to admit that although she loved her kids it was HARD! The other woman practically cried in relief that she had said it out loud! They don’t regret having kids but sometimes its good just to get the fact that its a slog ‘off your chest.’
I’m all for keeping it REAL. Not giving it a glossy veneer that makes others feel like they are failing. #KCACOLS
Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely, and I think being part of the online blogging community is a real help in that respect. Even though I don’t have mummy friends (or any friends) nearby, I know that I’m not alone and that other people feel the same way. Thanks for commenting.
Great post !! It’s never 100% perfect, but it is a 100% blessing! #fortheloveofblog
Very true! Thanks for commenting.
Loved this post – did your mum actually start her blog?! She could be a sensation as she sounds likne quite a character! Loved your reasons… very well written. #fortheloveofBLOG
Thank you. Well, she hasn’t yet. At least not unless she’s doing it in secret…
Very true, it’s a privilege to be a mum yet the occasional whine is good for letting off steam, very healthy! #KCACOLS
Certainly is. Thanks for commenting!
People’s impression of motherhood is often a bit odd. When you’re pregnant they tell you nothing but negatives, then tell you it’s the best job in the world. Bizarre! The way I see it is that, like anything, it has its good days and its bad days. #KCACOLS
Yes, it’s like you can never admit it’s hard work, except to other people who are about to have or are considering having kids! Thanks for commenting.
True true true! I’m so grateful to be a mum, but as you well know from my blog, it has it’s down days, it’s silly days, it’s happy days, it’s funny days. It’s all a rollercoaster and it’s one I too love. Fab post! Thanks for sharing on #kcacols hope you can pop back with Franca next week too #KCACOLS
Thank you for commenting. Yes, it has its moments!
Oh it’s so hard being a Mum, I think a lot of people (outsiders to the Mum life) see our job as being easy. On the contrary it’s quite the opposite, and your post sums it up perfectly. I can really relate to your comment about napping and flexible hours, I would spend huge parts of my day pushing our little one around in her buggy to get to her sleep, not useful when I was so tired and burning more energy pushing the buggy, still those walks inspired me to write my blog. I’m in awe of how you parent, write a blog, and work full-time. How do you do it? What’s your secret? Thank you so much for joining our party at #fortheloveofBLOG,we hope you can come back next week. Claire x
Haha, no secret, just blog when the baby goes to bed (at 10pm, usually!) I definitely thought being a mum was relatively easy before I actually had to do it. I wouldn’t change it though! Thanks for hosting and commenting.
Yes to all of this. It’s tough. Its a joy. It’s tough. There is so much love your heart is going to burst. There is vom, poop and wee. Yes. But it is a choice we make the day we conceive I think – and reading that article I’m not sure how much choice is given to those who regret (which is heartbreaking)
It is such a joy. Thanks for commenting.
This is a great post – your mum sounds funny! But seriously this is a really balanced view of motherhood, there are ups and downs but to learn to enjoy it and really cherish those moments is so important. #triballove #KCACOLS
Thanks, yes she has her moments! Thanks for commenting.
When I was a youngster I would swear I would not have a kid until I am ready – abide with money good decent job and super rich husband… it turned out quite the opposite! But I have to day I am so glad I have these little two crazy little babies! lol! #FabFridayPost
Yes it’s funny how we have it all worked out in our heads, don’t we? Rich husband, perfect career, lovely house…and then real life comes along! Thanks for commenting.
Brilliant post (as usual), found myself nodding along yet again!
I love my full-time job – I enjoy it, but I don’t necessarily find it easy. The same goes for motherhood – I absolutely love it, but god it’s tough! I think the challenge is part of what makes it so much fun 😉 #KCACOLS
Yes absolutely-it would be no fun if it wasn’t a challenge, and I’m always up for a challenge! Thanks for your lovely comment.
Great well balanced post. It sounds like we have the same mother who appears to have magically forgotten how hard being a parent is just the good bits and despises blogs and most things online! #FamilyFun
Haha, I think my mum has remembered how hard being a parent is now she looks after Piglet for part of the week! Thanks for commenting.
Motherhood is the best job in the world but it is also immensely challenging at times. Being able to offload and have a whinge every now and then helps a lot! 🙂
It does-we certainly all need to have a moan every so often!
Wow your mum sounds fab, I love a straight talker and I am sure my parents would have the same reaction. My mum always used to tell me off for telling people too much, I’ve always been a talker… I’ve never talked to her about my blogging. Motherhood is amazing and hard and exhausting and energising and scary and fun… It is so many opposite emotions that it makes it difficult to describe but I liked your take on it! TY for linking up to #FamilyFun ?
Thanks for hosting and commenting! Yes, I am lucky to have my mum. She definitely doesn’t “get’ the whole blogging thing!
This is such a well-written piece. Motherhood totally is tough, but I agree-it is DEFINITELY the best job in the world. Those heartwarming smiles, and soul melting giggles really are great pay, aren’t they? It’s currently 3AM, and I’m awake because my teething baby is awake. It’s tough! But hopefully I’ll get some shuteye at nap time! Thanks for sharing <3 #KCACOLS
Oh no, I definitely feel your pain there! The giggles are definitely the best though, and the sleepless nights are only temporary.