With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I just wanted to say “thanks” to all of the moms out there. 

Thank you for everything that you do …

You are amazing! 

Being a nurturing parent every day isn’t always easy, is it? 

Many people actually believe that “motherhood” is the toughest job in the world. 

A few weeks ago, a video was released with the title World’s Toughest Job. 

You may have already heard about or seen the video  (it’s had almost 19 million views so far). 

It’s fun and heartfelt …and does a good job of describing the skills and responsibilities that are necessary for nurturing parenting. 

If you haven’t seen the video yet, you can watch it here. 

(Warning: spoiler alert – watch the video before continuing reading)

 

If you’ve seen this video, then you know the idea behind it.

People are attending a fake interview for a difficult job as “director of operations.”

The requirements are demanding …so demanding that many of the applicants wonder if it’s possible to even do the job.

What the “World’s Toughest Job” video does right

Now for the spoilers…

When all the applicants have said the job seems too difficult (especially since the salary is $0), the interviewer reveals that millions of people already do this job …Moms.

It’s a tender moment that makes people think of their own moms.

One of the women cries as she thanks her mom on camera.

This video does a great job at remembering our moms and their dedication. 

But there’s also a subtle message in it  (you might not have seen)  that can make being a mother harder than it should be. 

Don’t Let #WorldsToughestJob Get You Down

In today’s post, I would like to talk about this hidden message

… to help you let go of any extra guilt or stress you may be carrying around. 

Here’s what you may not have noticed in the video …

                              the sneaky message that might make you feel bad about yourself 

According to the fake interview, the basic job requirements to be a mother include:

    * Standing up almost all the time

    * Constantly exerting yourself …moving, bending, and lifting

    * Working from 135 to unlimited hours per week  (up to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week)

    * No vacations, no breaks

    * Not eating until the “associate” that you’re assisting is finished eating

    * Workload goes up on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other holidays …with you having to remain cheerful at all times

    * No time to sleep

    * Salary = $0

Moms really do work long hours and miss sleep.

Being a nurturing parent is a demanding experience!

But, in my opinion, this video goes too far in how much it praises the imbalance of motherhood.

No sleeping?

No breaks?

Ever?

If we actually believe that this is the model of what good mothers are, we are celebrating an unhealthy pattern of excessive self-sacrifice.

Women who give up everything  (including their identities)  in order to be “good mothers” can become resentful, angry, or depressed.

Women who carve out a little time for their own interests and needs can be made to feel guilty and selfish …because they don’t fit into the “good mother” mold.

You’ll hear comments like

“She should be home with the kids, instead of out _______.”

“I don’t think she really wants to be a mother.”

“What makes her think that she can still do that? She’s a mother now.”

You get the idea.

Yes, mothers do give a lot and they always will.

But to honor moms by saying that an ideal mother has to give up everything, and never be able to rest, isn’t the proper message to send out.

I know that, as a mother, it doesn’t feel “honoring”.

Also, the video portrays an older version of motherhood …where moms are the most involved, active parents having to do everything on their own.

Fortunately, this older model of parenting is fading out.

Dads are naturally feeling more drawn to being involved in the parenting role, lessening the burden on moms.

So …let’s thank the dads, too! 

Make Sure To Add Balance To Your Life

One of the best things you can do as a nurturing parent is to take a break.

Do it for yourself.

Do it for your kids.

It doesn’t have to be a long break, but take one.

Take a few minutes for yourself to do what you need to do to recharge as a parent.

You already have a tough job.

Don’t make it any tougher on yourself by believing that you have to ignore your own needs and wear yourself out.

It’s not good for you!

And it’s not good for your kids!

It’s been shown that mothers who care for their own needs are actually better parents in the long run.

So take some time for yourself today.

Show your kids what taking a little break looks like  –  they will be grateful that you did.

Being a great mom may not be the “toughest job in the world”  , but it is the most rewarding!

 

P.S.   Just remember, moms … nurturing parenting starts with taking care of yourself

You are amazing  (and your kids know it!) 

Enjoy your week and have a Happy Mother’s Day!