Being Mothers

A very close friend and I had an interesting discussion this evening about how motherhood is one of the most thankless jobs in the world. That got me reflecting late at night and true indeed, once we become a mother, our lives certainly turned topsy turvy. The overwhelming joy of seeing your kids shine their big loving eyes on you. The dark despair when we are overcome with utmost fatigue yet we still need to appear strong in front of the children (especially during those dire hours of night fevers!). The vile frustration when we see the children fighting raucously over petty issues or flaunting their anger at you.

Ever since I became a mother more than 7 years ago, I never would have imagine this wealth of emotions of being a mother. More than anything, I never would have imagine the expectations we set upon ourselves to be the pinnacle of the household, ensuring everything runs at tip top condition and in perfect timing. From making sure the kids rise and shine, to ensuring that they are healthy and that all meals are taken care of, to bringing them to school on time, to making sure they learn as well as play, to maintaining sibling harmony with strong values imbued in them. 

And as my big one gets older, I realised the role of a mother changes as well. No more pampering them too much or they would feel claustrophobic. No more incessant fussing over them as you begin to hear an irritable undertone when they exclaimed, "Mummy! I know, I know!" Didn't we all use this undertone at some points of our lives with our own mothers?

Being a mother certainly is a lifelong job. And we are expected to amend our job descriptions at different stages of our kids' lives so that we do not end up alienating ourselves from them. We also need to set the expectations right with regards to our spouses. Life is never rosy nor easy. 

But what we can do is, as women and fellow mothers, to understand each other's roles and show support and a listening ear to one another. And for ourselves to thank us, without needing others to thank us. Giving ourselves a pat in our own backs, hugging ourselves, loving ourselves more. 

For all those stay-home moms, a salute to all your endless, tireless days of cooking, bathing and tending after the kids with infinite days of similar routines. For the working moms, a hug to drive away all those evil stresses at work where employers do not care a hoot if you are a mother or not, and having to juggle both work and caring of children back home despite our immense fatigue. 

For I think we have each other - mothers, all of us - as a powerful support network. And that being said, how about a simple word of thanks to our own moms, making them feel appreciated and loved as well? 

Finally, for me, motherhood is all the more joyous as I see my children going through the journey below...it is an amazing gift indeed. 

From this...

The Bees at around 2 weeks of their lives

To this! 

The Bees 2 weeks ago

PS: Big Bee is the baby on the left, Little Bee is the baby on the right!