While motherhood may look different on each of us, we’re all mastering it the best we can.
With tax time rolling around, we’ve been collecting all the pertinent forms as they come in the mail. I’ve been on the lookout for the forms from all 5 of my current employers. When I said to some friends What does having 5 different 1099s say about my life?, one of them told me that it says I don’t have a full-time job.
Well, this is true in the eyes of the tax man. I do a little of this and a little of that by donning hats for a variety of work-at-home positions in the field of education. I don’t have a huge amount of set hours, so I have the flexibility to wear all the hats of motherhood and avoid the need to pay for childcare. (And with plenty of friends who do pay for it, I am in a shock and awe state over how impactful that expense is on a family’s budget.)
Like any parent, I question the decisions made and the effects these choices have on our kids. After putting so much energy into trying to keep a level head while navigating the day-to-day of blended family life, it is really easy to question if I’m doing anything right. But I’ve realized that within all the juggling of schedules and jobs and activities and life, there is one thing I am doing right, and that’s being the best mama I can be.
That mama looks different on different days, but she is trying her hardest and mastering motherhood as best she can. Whether you’re a mama with a stack of 1099s, a single form, or no form at all, there’s something to be said for putting it all out there and doing the best you can on any given day.
The Different Looks of Mastering Motherhood
One day it’s a perfectly packed lunch with an I love U note tucked inside. Other days it’s the knowledge that there’s a credit card on file to auto-replenish the school lunch fund.
One day it’s a carefully crafted shirt with 100 items lovingly applied to celebrate a milestone. Other days it’s sniffing a crumpled pair of jeans and realizing that they’ve got another day of wear left in them.
One day it’s driving to 10 different stores to find that just right shirt, toy, book, etc. Other days it’s chanting the mantra, You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.
One day it’s a perfectly planned adventure to the zoo, museum, park, etc. Other days it’s extended time on a device so mama can finish up some work.
One day it’s animal-shaped pancakes and a fresh fruit cup. Other days it’s a dry waffle in hand on a mad dash to the bus stop.
One day it’s showing up to school in a holiday-themed shirt to run the class party. Other days it’s testing the limits of dry shampoo and sending in napkins.
One day it’s completing a seasonal craft project to send to all the relatives. Other days its scrap paper and a handful of restaurant-acquired crayons.
One day it’s taking the time to carefully word editing suggestions and mini-grammar lessons on Google Docs. Other days it’s being thankful the kids can be directed to use their spell checkers and ask Google.
One day it’s driving hours to attend select team tournaments and college showcases. Other days it’s watching recordings or catching live gameplay on streaming apps due to conflicting schedules.
One day it’s staying up half the night to bake the cookies, dye the macaroni, or assemble the gift bags. Other days it’s praying for the option of sending in money.
The common thread on all of these days is that they are fueled by love.
Whether Pinterest was consulted or the junk drawer was raided, Mama was doing her best. That’s all we can ask of ourselves. I’m going to work harder at giving myself a break and resting easy in the knowledge that however big or small the efforts may be, each and every one of them showed my kids I love them.
