Motherhood is Essential

Being a mother is game changing, it’s life changing. We’ve slept with them on our chest, kissed their little toes and their boo-boo’s, wiped away tears and had to give some stern talks. We’ve gone from being the best mom in the whole world to not being the nicest mom when they don’t have their way. We are their teacher, their protectors, their personal chefs and chauffeurs. In us they can rely, we are their circle of trust. 

This game changing, life changing hood also comes with some lows. Burning out, letting go of dreams, losing self by being so wrapped up in motherhood, into work, not having those moments to yourself, giving your all and not feeling appreciated or understood, now add a Pandemic! 

As a work from home employee for the past year, due to COVID-19, it has been my choice to keep my 4 year old and 1 year old home with me while I work. While it hasn’t been easy, it has granted my wish of being able to spend more time with them. 

You see, before Covid when I had to be in the office, I would only have 1 hour with them in the morning before delivering them to daycare and roughly 2 ½ hours with them once returning home before bed. This all occurred in the typical Monday through Friday rat race. I felt then the pressure of needing to work but longing for the time I felt that I was missing with my children. I was essentially working for the weekends. 

Working full time, and even for some part time as a mother is a blessing as it helps to provide for our little ones and shows that mothers are superhuman and that we can have it all. We sacrifice so much trying to juggle a work-life balance as we raise a new generation. Our little ones will one day become the next working force, they will become Scientists, Community Leaders, Sales Clerks, Managers, Teachers, Cops, Preachers and so on. What we instill in them now, the time we give to them will build character and morals and will change the world someday. 

Motherhood needs support so that we can have it all, not just from family and friends but from our places of employment and our government. I’m not talking about handouts but about what makes sense providing more paid leave, paid sick days, high quality affordable health coverage, paid maternity and paternity leave and education reimbursement. 

America used to be at the forefront of progress, some would say that we still are but with all of the progress, work life balance the family value has taken a backseat. We don’t want to just be a number, just an employee. Know that our lives outside of work matter just as much as our lives at work. We matter to our loved ones and would love to matter that much to our places of employment where we give daily, monthly and yearly with our time and knowledge. 

I’m reminded of a quote from Richard Branson where he says “I truly believe that if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your business.” Being honored and valued places everyone in a good mental and emotional state. A happy employee is a productive and loyal employee.

While there is a growing list of American companies that take care of their employees, there are still a lot more companies that could take note. So this Mothers Day, what I think moms really want or need is to be valued and appreciated by everyone in that circle of trust and that includes our employers. 

A Mom: Emotional, yet the rock. Tired, but keeps going. Worried, but full of hope. Impatient, yet patient. Overwhelmed, but never quits. Amazing, even in the chaos. Life Changer, every single day. ~ Rachel Martin

Cassie Brenker is a wife, mother and friend. She is a freelance writer and has also worked in the customer service industry for 10 years. She is a strong believer in live and let live, and believes the world could benefit from a huge dose of kindness.