Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”
Like many women these days, I’ve walked down a number of different career paths in my life.
Aerobics Instructor, Copywriter, Personal Assistant by morning, Au Pair by afternoon, Waitress by night, Aromatherapist, Restaurant Manageress, Network Marketer, Head of Network Marketing, Freelance Journalist, Sales Executive, Customer Relationship Executive.
I’ve worked for myself, I’ve worked for small companies, and I’ve worked for large Corporates. I’ve worked from home, in company offices, full time, part time, flexi time, freelance, remotely. I’ve travelled across country for some jobs and internationally for one. I’ve held down 3 jobs at a time.
And now here I am, where I always dreamed I would be… a Wife, Mother, and Writer. Blessed with a wonderful husband, a gorgeous bonus daughter, and an adorable little boy of our own.
Wife, Mother, Writer… my new career. Life is beautiful. I get to work from home sweet home, play a lot more than I work, and most days include a glorious morning and evening walk and a lunchtime siesta. Bliss! I get to enjoy more family time than ever, and have more friends than ever before. At least once a week, I get to enjoy coffee and cake with friends. Aah, the sweet life. And to top it all, I get to witness Ben’s marvellous unfolding, hear his giggles and applaud his progress.
These past couple of years have, without a shadow of a doubt, been the best years of my life.
Which is why it astounds me to realise just how much WORK has actually taken place during this time.
I had no idea how FULL TIME motherhood would be. In the back of my mind I knew Mothers were on call 24-7, and worked pretty hard, and slept very little. It didn’t quite dawn on me that I’ve have a new boss (or two, or three…) cracking the whip. Or that I’d be doing a hundred jobs at once. While drawing from the experience of every job I’ve ever had.
20 jobs spring to mind… all of these jobs I fulfill as a Mother. (Don’t get me started on the jobs I fulfill as a Wife & Writer. A post for another day.)
Cleaner
Shopper
Cook
Nanny
Kindergarten Teacher
Motivational Speaker
Healer
Nurse
Massage Therapist
Minister/Spiritual Guide
Personal Trainer
Sports Fan
Psychologist
Singer
Actor
Librarian
Event manager
Party planner
Driver
and… Horse
Fortunately my husband, after a full day’s work-work to bring home the bacon, also magically transforms into a Driver, Shopper and Chef (yep, it’s Daniel who fries up the eggs and bacon he brings home – every morning).
On top of these he is our Electrician, Plumber, Handy Man, Rugby Coach, Golf Coach, Soccer Coach, Cricket Coach, Cycling coach, Gardener, Pool Guy and… Horse. I told you he was wonderful, didn’t I?
Hang on a minute…it’s not just us as parents who are juggling multiple jobs. I’ve noticed Benjamin fancies himself in a number of careers already. In any one day, he can be a:
Scrambler (Dirt Bike Rider), Artist, Runner, Fireman, Cyclist, Paramedic, Receptionist, Cook, Rugby Player, Sweeper, Baker, Golfer, Doctor, Shopper, Handyman, Gardener, Singer, Actor…and he told me the other day, he wants to be a Ballerina! Ben also gives out a heap of instructions every day, which is of course what makes him THE BOSS.
Reminds me of a line from our all time favourite Dr. Seuss book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go: “Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”
What has been your experience of motherhood? What jobs do you find yourself doing on a daily basis? I’d love to hear…
