The Hard Pill To Swallow

Once, my daughter complained that finding a house was difficult, with work, motherhood, and being a wife. I told her to try having all your children return home with their spouses, children, and pets. She decided it wasn’t that difficult. After all, her sister’s family was also living with us. Our home being extremely crowded was an understatement. 

It’s a hard pill to swallow when you realize all your children are grown and require minimal assistance. Do your children only visit for holidays? Have they stopped calling regularly? Are they only calling to borrow money? Or maybe it is a possibility that no news is indeed good news? 

“They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts”. Kahlil Gibran

Parenting

Being a mom is a difficult yet the most rewarding job a woman can do. No one is above correction, not even Daddy. You wear many hats. You’re the family nursemaid, chef, taxi driver, cheerleader, housekeeper, event planner, psychologist, and school teacher. This does not limit or exclude your wifely duties. While assuming all these roles, finding time for yourself becomes arduous. Enlist the help of family members with household chores to alleviate stress. Remember that delegation is a part of leadership. 

It seems like a never-ending job that doesn’t come with specific instructions or a thank-you note. Teach your children to be grateful and respectful. Teach them to be great problem-solvers. Then, most of your work is done. Begin this in early childhood. There is so much emotional intelligence and maturity required. It’s a selfless position of servitude. It seemingly has minimal rewards. Take time to celebrate small triumphs as well as the big ones.

Someone once said, “When you’re an infant, you need help. And when you’re older, you return to infancy”. Our needs change as we change with age. No one survives on their own with life’s many challenges. We’re all doing the best we can. We’re all here to assist one another. However, there’s always room for change. You knew this day would come, so embrace it. Recognize that your role has changed. It’s time to trust your astonishing work. Be proud you’ve raised beautiful people and community assets. Pat yourself on the back.