Now I Understand My Mom a Little Bit Better

Mother’s Day, and I’ve gotta say, I’m very lucky that I live in the same town as my mom and that she’s still willing — and able — to make the big family meals for holidays.

It’s Mother’s Day for goodness sake, and somehow she’s still the one making the delicious mac and cheese my boys will eat, the potato salad that’s my sister’s favourite, and the dessert straight out of our childhood memories. Mind you, my dad did BBQ the burgers and hot dogs.

I am definitely not there yet.

As a working mom now, I realize how lucky I was growing up with a mom who worked from home — or as everyone called it back then, a “stay-at-home mom,” which honestly doesn’t even begin to cover everything moms do.

Because she was home, our meals were homemade from scratch, our clothes were immaculate because everything was hung up properly, and the house was always spotless. I understand now why she didn’t want us playing in certain rooms after she’d spent all day cleaning them.

The ultimate thankless job — and the hardest one out there.

Meanwhile, as a working mom, the laundry is never done, supper, if I’m in charge is most definitely cereal and peanut butter sandwiches, and my house clean? Where’s the “laughing so hard you’re rolling on the floor” emoji?

So why the heck does anyone have kids?

For the adorable heart-shaped cards they make you. For the snuggles and cuddles that don’t last nearly long enough. For the beautiful little souls that are part you, part your partner, and somehow completely their own.