The Mom Inside the Frugalista

My boss of 15 months is so demanding. I have to work 24 hours a day 7 days a week without so much as a proper lunch break. She wakes me in the middle of the night, sometimes repeatedly. There is no reasoning with her at all. She relies on me for everything. The littlest things send her over the edge, putting her into hysterics. I am not compensated for my services. I have a binding 18 year contract which she has the power to extend indefinitely. What do I do you ask? I’m a mom of course!

Back when I had a career in the corporate world I thought stay-at-home moms were spoiled. They had it easy. What could these homemakers be doing all day? Why in the world would a stay-at-home mom need a cleaning service?

Now that I have had the privilege to walk the walk I am humbled. I have the utmost respect for single parents and anyone with more than one child. My house is rarely clean, I’m exhausted by 8 p.m. and running errands becomes a triathlon of sorts. Endurance, timing and strategy are critical for success.

Nothing is easy anymore. I made the mistake of carrying my toddler into the post office recently. It wasn’t pretty. It must have been painful to watch because the nice man in line next to me actually started filling out my paperwork for me while my child was arching her back and screaming to get down.

It wasn’t until I became a mother that I could fully appreciate my own mom. Mother’s Day has taken on an entirely new dimension. The other day I actually apologized to my mom for not showing her the respect she deserved when I was a teenager.

Out of all the job titles I have held, “mom” has been the most challenging and rewarding. I waited until I was in my 30's to have my first child. I was accustomed to my independence. The transition to parenthood has not been easy. Although it has not been easy, seeing the world through a fresh pair of eyes is nothing short of miraculous. Swinging in the park, twinkling Christmas lights, fireworks, blowing bubbles, playing in the sand and splashing in the water have all become brand new again. Seeing her joy takes me back to a time I had long forgotten. She has already taught me more about living than I will ever be able to teach her. I’m honored God has trusted me with this little soul.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. The one day of the year I recommend throwing frugal out the window. There isn’t enough money in the world to get her what she deserves, but maybe you can splurge and spoil her a bit. We’re not perfect but then again neither are children!