I may not have mentioned this already, but last year my husband and I made the decision that I should leave my job. Working nearly full time - even telecommuting from home - and raising a child with a husband also working full time was causing a lot of stress on my life and my marriage, but it also wasn't allowing us to raise our child the way that we had hoped. The transition from paid worker to unpaid servant was difficult. And, it's still something that I cope with each day. However, I've found ways to redefine myself not just as a mom, but as a professional with some serious clout! I became a volunteer.
Volunteers aren't typically thought of as being professional nor building career reputations. This image is definitely wrong...when you've got the right organization training you. Several years ago, I made the decision to join the Junior League. While I originally did this to make friends, this decision has grown into a commitment and a personal development opportunity. I've been able to test out different opportunities for future resume building and career growth. I've planned events, developed fundraisers, managed committees, and developed my skills at social networking. Plus, I've been able to network with women who are still working in the corporate world who may one day provide me an opportunity to return to work if and when it fits into the lifestyle I want for my family.
Volunteering doesn't have to be seen as doing the jobs that no one else wants to do. It doesn't have to be seen as only involving menial tasks. The nonprofit sector provides opportunities to develop your corporate skills while making an impact on lives around you...all in the timeframe that you, as a mom, are able to give. I have seldomly heard of a volunteer being fired...which means you can test out different areas of work without fear! One of the best parts; however, is that many nonprofits allow you to volunteer - at least in part - with your child present. So, not only are you developing your potential, but your teaching your child how to help others. It's a win-win situation!
If you're looking for areas to volunteer, why not check out the Junior League...they're not the same as they were 50 years ago, but a group of amazing, empowered women who are making a true impact in the communities around them. You can find out more at www.ajli.org or follow me on Twitter @KatieShuck.
Showing posts with label A mother's job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A mother's job. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Words out of a mother's mouth
Ever since becoming a mom, there are key words and phrases that I have tried my best not to say. It's not that there's really anything wrong with these words and phrases...it's that I don't want to become the cliche mom who is always saying things like, "Because I said so" or "When I was your age..." So far, I've done pretty well at skipping these phrases, but I've been shocked at some of the other things that come out of my mouth when talking to my sweet pea. So, I thought I'd share...
- We don't touch puppy/cat/pig/goat/bunny bottoms.
- Heads don't go in potties.
- Dip your food, not your fingers.
- We only spit after brushing our teeth.
- Puppy food is for puppies.
- You pooped in the potty!! YEAH!
- We don't drink Bud Light........yet. (Hey, I'm from St. Louis)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
My Conclusion
It's been a while since my last blog. Life seems to take up so much more time once my Sweet Pea started walking. It's been just over a month, but I've already lost the ability to focus on individual tasks as they continually get interrupted by the need to get someone out of the dog bowls, out of the plants, into the potty, or redressed. Busyness has been completely redefined when you're looking our for someone with a 30-second attention span.
However, life as a mother is also a lot more interesting and challenging as each new accomplishment is achieved. My Sweet Pea interacts with me (albeit, not always for the best) and tells me some of what she wants (apparently, I never feed her as she's always asking for "more"). She looks at the world with eyes I wish I still had...eyes that never get bored. She can read Dr. Seuss's Mr Brown Can Moo over and over and, every time she gets to "He can sound like a hand on a door..." she knocks her own hand on the page, laughing at her accomplishment.
Why is it that we lose this gift of sight? A vacuum to my Sweet Pea is a magical instrument that sings songs and vibrates as she pushes it across the room (Yes, I did buy her a real vacuum - or Dustbuster - she had no interest in the play vacuums). To me, a vacuum is just another torture device of yet another task I must accomplish several times a week. Flowering weeds, to my Sweet Pea, are a glorious gift for MaMa. And, while they melt my heart when coming from the tender hands of my child, when growing in my yard, they're proof of my inability to maintain the pristine lawn of which I dream.
I'm envious of my own child. She looks at the world around her and sees nothing but the glories of God, hope, and possibilities. I look at the world around me and see my faults, lost dreams, and agony of man's sinful nature. I look at the people around me and see despair, anger, selfishness, greed, lust, broken homes, broken promises, and broken spirits. My Sweet Pea sees these same people and sees it as an opportunity to wave and say "Hi!"...as is evident when we walk to the mailbox and she must stop and wave at every passerby.
I've come to a conclusion. Children are an amazing blessing from whom we can learn to reacquaint ourselves with all the goodness in this world. They cause pain during childbirth, from which we can learn to appreciate the tenderness of their sweet skin. They give us sleepless days and nights from which we can learn to let some of our duties slide and make the necessary time for our own rest. They cry so that we can allow their sweet laughs to radiate inside us and fill us again with hope. They get dirty so that we can enjoy time together singing and playing in the bath. They get hurt so that we can be reassured of our simple ability to hug and kiss them and tell them that everything will be alright. They grow up and have their own kids so that we know this cycle doesn't end and that we have added something great to the world around us.
However, life as a mother is also a lot more interesting and challenging as each new accomplishment is achieved. My Sweet Pea interacts with me (albeit, not always for the best) and tells me some of what she wants (apparently, I never feed her as she's always asking for "more"). She looks at the world with eyes I wish I still had...eyes that never get bored. She can read Dr. Seuss's Mr Brown Can Moo over and over and, every time she gets to "He can sound like a hand on a door..." she knocks her own hand on the page, laughing at her accomplishment.
Why is it that we lose this gift of sight? A vacuum to my Sweet Pea is a magical instrument that sings songs and vibrates as she pushes it across the room (Yes, I did buy her a real vacuum - or Dustbuster - she had no interest in the play vacuums). To me, a vacuum is just another torture device of yet another task I must accomplish several times a week. Flowering weeds, to my Sweet Pea, are a glorious gift for MaMa. And, while they melt my heart when coming from the tender hands of my child, when growing in my yard, they're proof of my inability to maintain the pristine lawn of which I dream.
I'm envious of my own child. She looks at the world around her and sees nothing but the glories of God, hope, and possibilities. I look at the world around me and see my faults, lost dreams, and agony of man's sinful nature. I look at the people around me and see despair, anger, selfishness, greed, lust, broken homes, broken promises, and broken spirits. My Sweet Pea sees these same people and sees it as an opportunity to wave and say "Hi!"...as is evident when we walk to the mailbox and she must stop and wave at every passerby.
I've come to a conclusion. Children are an amazing blessing from whom we can learn to reacquaint ourselves with all the goodness in this world. They cause pain during childbirth, from which we can learn to appreciate the tenderness of their sweet skin. They give us sleepless days and nights from which we can learn to let some of our duties slide and make the necessary time for our own rest. They cry so that we can allow their sweet laughs to radiate inside us and fill us again with hope. They get dirty so that we can enjoy time together singing and playing in the bath. They get hurt so that we can be reassured of our simple ability to hug and kiss them and tell them that everything will be alright. They grow up and have their own kids so that we know this cycle doesn't end and that we have added something great to the world around us.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A Mother's Job
With Mother's Day quickly approaching...hint, hint to all the father's and children reading this blog post...I thought I'd do a quick recap of what I've learned over the past year about a mother's job.
A mother's job, while quieted within society, is rarely filled with quiet.
It's filled with spills, spit ups, pukes, poops, dirty laundry, and dirty diapers because it's not a clean job.
Because of this, we fill the diaper bag with a change of clothes for both Baby and Mama
Our days are not filled with sleep. Sleep is overrated; naps are essential.
As is coffee...more than one cup. The coffee shop knows to keep that cup full.
Happiness for a mother is that first night you get four hours of sleep.
It's the first smile and laugh - even if it is because of gas.
It's finding time to take a shower and fix your hair.
It's making it through a day with no blow outs.
It's eating a hot meal.
It's finding your belly button and taking those first steps.
It's hugs with tiny pats on the back.
"Ma Ma" is rarely the first word because Baby knows you'll always be there.
Mothers understand the difference between "da da" and "dah dah" - one is Dad, the other the dog - although sometimes it's also a duck.
Mothers also understand sign language. We know when the "point and grunt" means Baby's hungry and when it means Baby wants picked up.
Mothers are psychics.
We know where Baby is when there is no noise at all.
Mothers are doctors.
We kiss away the bumps and bruises and can tell the difference between a cold and teething.
Mothers are entertainers.
Reading books, singing songs, eating plastic food...all day long.
Mothers are teachers.
Knowing right from wrong; noses from toes, numbers, colors, and more.
Mothers are rarely recognized.
They're rarely acknowledged.
They're rarely appreciated.
Why? Because, even without these things, we're still always here.
Mothers are different.
Unique.
There are no two mothers alike.
And, that's ok.
There's no one way to be a mother.
There's no one way to succeed.
Being a mother is not for everyone.
The physical act of having a child does not make everyone a mother.
It is the emotional involvement, the mental toll, the everyday insanity that every mother goes through and learns to survive.
Mothers are amazing creatures, created by God, given amazing abilities to overcome obstacles, trials, and stresses.
This is a mother's job.
A mother's job, while quieted within society, is rarely filled with quiet.
It's filled with spills, spit ups, pukes, poops, dirty laundry, and dirty diapers because it's not a clean job.
Because of this, we fill the diaper bag with a change of clothes for both Baby and Mama
Our days are not filled with sleep. Sleep is overrated; naps are essential.
As is coffee...more than one cup. The coffee shop knows to keep that cup full.
Happiness for a mother is that first night you get four hours of sleep.
It's the first smile and laugh - even if it is because of gas.
It's finding time to take a shower and fix your hair.
It's making it through a day with no blow outs.
It's eating a hot meal.
It's finding your belly button and taking those first steps.
It's hugs with tiny pats on the back.
"Ma Ma" is rarely the first word because Baby knows you'll always be there.
Mothers understand the difference between "da da" and "dah dah" - one is Dad, the other the dog - although sometimes it's also a duck.
Mothers also understand sign language. We know when the "point and grunt" means Baby's hungry and when it means Baby wants picked up.
Mothers are psychics.
We know where Baby is when there is no noise at all.
Mothers are doctors.
We kiss away the bumps and bruises and can tell the difference between a cold and teething.
Mothers are entertainers.
Reading books, singing songs, eating plastic food...all day long.
Mothers are teachers.
Knowing right from wrong; noses from toes, numbers, colors, and more.
Mothers are rarely recognized.
They're rarely acknowledged.
They're rarely appreciated.
Why? Because, even without these things, we're still always here.
Mothers are different.
Unique.
There are no two mothers alike.
And, that's ok.
There's no one way to be a mother.
There's no one way to succeed.
Being a mother is not for everyone.
The physical act of having a child does not make everyone a mother.
It is the emotional involvement, the mental toll, the everyday insanity that every mother goes through and learns to survive.
Mothers are amazing creatures, created by God, given amazing abilities to overcome obstacles, trials, and stresses.
This is a mother's job.
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