She called me totally in awe of me and surprised:
"How do you do it? How did you do it? You worked 8-5 and then you came home and cooked real meals. You didn't do this once a week, you did it for years. I'm in awe of you, seriously. After work, I'm so tired. You know what I'm having for dinner a Lean Pocket. I said, "Well I couldn't have given you lean pockets for dinner." She continued, "I'll never say you do nothing again. You are Superwoman." I was practically left speechless.
I never set out to be Superwoman - I don't even claim the title willingly. I do know that once I had children, something clicked in me and I decided I would do what I had to do. Anything that seemed impossible, became doable. Of course we are products of our environments, so I did what I saw my mother do with eight children. She planned meals for days in advance - I modified this to something that would work for my lifestyle. She eventually stayed home, I never did. She baked and cooked; cooking was enough, I didn't have time for baking. Laundry never ended and while I applaud minimalist thinking I've found with 4 children it's better to have more underwear than less as it reduces the frequency with which I have to do laundry.
I determined that I would never complain, no matter how tired I felt. I would not become a frumpy mother either - I would always look like I took time with my appearance. I never bought sodas, and we did not eat fast food on a regular basis. Many days at work, that focused look during a meeting was me figuring out the quickest way to get dinner on the table and also remembering that I had to make a stop at Walmart before going home. Honestly, when I look back, I don't know how I did it.
I appreciated the sentiment of my child calling me blessed!
Hang in there parents; do what you need to do. Do the best you can with what you are given; stay open to trying new things, talk to other mothers and parents who have the same values as you and relax. I didn't know this when I was raising them, but I know this now.
Are many of you at the stage where your children rise up and call you blessed?
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