I am a working mom, my life is busier than yours.
~I am a stay at home mom, my life is busier than yours.
I go to work all day then come home to mom duties.
~My mom duties never stop.
I work so hard.
~I work harder.
I never see my kids.
~I never get a break from my kids.
Sound familiar?
Whether a full time working, part time working, or full time stay at home mom, we feel the need to prove just how difficult our lot in life really is.
And I think it’s time to stop.
Fellow moms, regardless of what’s listed beside the little briefcase on your facebook profile, we have one major thing in common….We are moms. Do we really have to argue about which “type” of mom has it rougher? If you’re a mom, your job is hard. No matter how many hours you spend with or without your children. Your job is hard. Let it go at that. We do not need a laundry list of negatives in order to validate our particular mom path. A busy, overstressed life should not be our litmus test of worth.
Let’s be people who find contentment and joy in what we are doing instead of constantly bemoaning the difficulties. It’s time to stop comparing and complaining. I know your baby has not stopped screaming all. day. long. I know. But, it’s time to stop the complaining. And I know you had to work late the past three nights and only had enough time to tuck your kids into bed for the night. I know. But, it’s time to stop the comparing. Let’s stop.
No more focusing on the worst parts of being a working mom. Let’s focus on the beauty.
No more focusing on the draining parts of being a stay at home mom. Let’s appreciate the wonderful.
There’s a whole lot of good in motherhood. Focus with me on the roses instead of the thorns. And please do me a favor, focus only on the category you fit into right now. Do not allow this to become fodder in the world’s most worthless fight. Instead of competing and comparing, let’s celebrate and encourage. Breed some contentment in your own life. Recognize the good things about what you get to do! Add to your list. Fill up ten pages. Post it somewhere you can see it, so in the miserable moments when you are tempted to say “woe is me” or think the grass is greener or fear that no one appreciates all that you do, you can look at your list and appreciate you, your many jobs, your children, and the gift that it is to be the specific type of mom you are right here, right now.
We are moms. We are blessed.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
p.s. A special thank you to the fellow moms, both working and stay at home, who contributed to these lists. I admire each and every one of you for what you do for your family, your children, and your own well being. May you always find the beauty in what you do.
A Work in Progress 