Just 'Mom'

Not that I have ever given it much thought, but I realized the other day that my kids basically have no idea what I do when I’m not with them. Nor do they care probably, which is fine and is typical of their ages but I find it funny when I really think about it. I’m pretty sure they think my hours are filled with nothing else to do but take care of their every need. Like I just wait patiently over my lunch hour for them to text and tell me what they want to eat so I can make myself useful and prepare a hot lunch for them. Or I just sit idly by my phone all day waiting for them to text that they need a ride or forgot their gym clothes or need $10 for school so I will finally get off my lazy duff and do something. Cause I’m not doing anything, right? Just at their beck and call.

For example, my 17-year-old came to my office to hang out the other day while she waiting for her friend. I took the opportunity to show her what I was working on and why I had to do this and that and gave her the 5-minute version of what I do every day at my job. She just sat there wide-eyed, staring at the reports and charts I was showing her and she said, “You do all that? I thought you just sat at your computer all day and listened to music.” I laughed. Yep, that’s all I do. She asked if people come to my office for meetings and things, which I answered, “Of course, all the time.” “Why do you have to meet with people?” I laughed again. She had no clue. Not that I’m some hotshot business person, but I do have a job that requires some intelligence, professionalism and organizational skills. It’s like she couldn’t fathom me being anyone other than just her mom that makes her meals and washes her clothes. Cracked me up!

And I’ve said this before too, but I think my girls just think things magically appear. Like money in the bank account, for instance, it never runs out no matter how many trips to the coffee shop or ice cream place you make. And household goods, just replenish themselves. There’s always toilet paper and always soap. Just magically replaces itself before their very eyes!

A new shampoo and conditioner just show up on their own, as well as the toothpaste. It must be magic! But in reality, whose the one performing the magic? Mom! When I’m not at work, I’m running around, making sure all this stuff is taken care of. I work so there’s money in the bank and I run to the store to make sure they have what they need. The food in the fridge, the clean clothes and all the rest must happen sometime, but I realized they don’t think twice about when and who. They have no clue what I do when I’m not with them. I’m sure if you asked them, they’d say their mom takes care of everything, but if you asked when, they’d say, “I have no clue.”

For now, they’re just kids in their own little worlds. They just see me as “Mom” who takes care of them but have very little knowledge of how I do it or when. I’m not complaining, just think it’s funny. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. They’ll grow up and have to face reality soon enough, and then someday when they’re older, they’ll finally see me as an individual with my own interests and activities and not just the one who washes their clothes and makes their dinner.