I am someone who loves to be challenged. I have to continually be learning new things in order to feel as though I'm being used to my fullest potential. In my career, I search for innovations that need to be made, problems that need to be solved, and ways that I can continue to climb the corporate ladder in order to feel valued by my colleagues and clients. Maybe you're the same way?
When I first became a mom, I was faced with many challenges; however, I didn't recognize them as challenges. I thought that these were mistakes within my own abilities at being a mom. I thought that I was doing the wrong things. I thought that I was a failure. But, I was wrong.
Learning how to recognize the challenges of motherhood is important in order to properly face each challenge. The challenges begin with the simple task of recognizing the basic needs of Baby. When is he/she hungry, sleepy, gassy, dirty, bored, cold, etc.? These are the small challenges and, if you pay attention, you eventually figure them out. The riddle is solved! But, the challenges get bigger and bigger with each day. And, with each new challenge comes new innovations, new solutions, and greater mom intelligence.
Someone might see a mom singing "Old McDonald" to her child and think that this is an easy task. But, I beg to differ. That mom probably isn't just singing a simple song to her child. No, she is handling a larger responsibility. She is educating, entertaining, creating imagination, communicating, counseling, and more. With one song, a mother can successfully fulfill many of the child's needs.
The wonder of it all...years from now, no one is going to remember the projects that I designed at work. My clients may not remember my name. My colleagues will retire. I will be forgotten. But, during the minutes it takes me to sing a simple song to my child, I have conquered the world. I have taught my child what it means to be a mom, to laugh, smile, and love. What greater challenge is there?
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Another great post, Katie! I like how you identified "feelings of failure" as misidentified "challenges!"
ReplyDeleteI believe it refers back to your previous post about motherhood NOT being something "easy" and "oh, it's just something you'll know how to do." Rather, it is a career that is more challenging than any other career we've ever had the privilege to be hired.
If we were all hired to do a job and then came to our jobs everyday with the attitude of "well, I already know how to this job 100% because they hired me, so now I can just coast for the rest of my career and not progress or learn," what horrid and leeching employees we would be on the company! So why approach motherhood with that same attitude?
And some provide the attitude that "your kids will adjust to your busy lifestyle, so don't change what you are doing." That's about as unsuccessful an attitude as saying, "my company should revolve around MY needs, not my CLIENTS' needs." Ultimately it boils to: whether or not you're a mother or a career woman, you are here to serve, not be serviced.
Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinions! :)