Being a mum to an infant is not a full time job as a job is defined as ” a task or piece of work, especially one that is paid “.
There is no salary, wage, bonus or remuneration of any kind. There is no tea break, lunch break, vacation days, sick days or personal days. There’s no such thing as an eight to five or a single occupation. Being a mum is not a job. There’s no bonus, incentive or commission if you do it well. There’s no personal space, cubicle or office. There’s no five day work week, chilling with your colleagues after work or switching off from your day. There’s no set time to go to bed or to awake.
Being a mum is a choice, its a lifestyle.
Most days are tough and challenging, others are manageable and you get some straightforward uncomplicated days. Any woman can give birth to a baby but not all of those woman are mums. A mum is compassionate, kind, loving, caring, a disciplinarian, a teacher , a doctor, a caregiver, an administrator, a personal shopper an accountant, a singer, a dancer, a playmate, a waitress, a masseuse, a valet, a cleaner, a therapist, a bodyguard – to name just a few roles that you have to play. My little boy is fourteen weeks & four days old and I have already worn many different hats. Like I said, being a mum is not a single occupation. I’m by no means a professional in any one of those occupations but I can do the bare minimum, and do it well to be a great mum to my baby.
Being a mum is not a job. I’m not forced to do anything I don’t want to do. I don’t have to do something because someone tells me to.
Being a mum is a pleasure, its about protecting my special little treasure. Making sure my baby’s always kept clean, he has his vaccines and he’s kept away from danger. It’s making sure my baby remains happy.
Completing my shower, going to the loo, washing my hair, shaving my legs and putting on lotion has become a luxury to me. I know it sounds silly right, but do remember that I am a mum living in Melbourne, away from my large support network in Durban, South Africa. I am my baby’s primary care giver. There’s no one here to give me a break during the day and I wait for the hour my husband gets home. That does not mean my duties ever stop, it just means we share the responsibility of bringing our baby up. Over the last couple of days I have learnt there is no time for me to be sick – I still have to do feedings , readings, diaper changes and baths.
Being a mum means I have to be perfect at multitasking.
I learnt the art of eating, hanging and picking up laundry, buttering my toast, setting dishes and clothes, washing my hands, laying the bed and using the laptop (to mention just a few) while carrying my baby in one hand. I carry my baby while doing my job – I’m a work from home mum after all. I have him in one hand while sitting in front of the computer developing client websites using the other hand. At this very moment as I’m writing this blog my little baby is on my lap watching his nursery rhymes.
Being a mum is not a job for me. I chose to have this baby. I choose to take care of him, I choose to protect him, I choose to look after him, I choose to teach him not expecting anything in return. No one will ever love my baby more than I do, and no one will ever be able to do more for him than I do. Being a mum means making sacrifices. It means trading nights out in the city for play dates. It means having my best coats covered in pees, poos, vomit and drool.
Being a mum is so much more than giving birth to my baby. It’s letting my baby know that I will always show up, I will always be here for him, I will be here when he wakes up and I will be here when he goes to sleep. Being a mum also means being realistic and knowing when to let go. As I fill out forms to put my baby on waiting lists for long day care, it saddens me knowing that in January he will be going to daycare and I will be leaving him to go to a job. I know that he wont be getting that same attention and love that I will give him but I also know that he will be making friends and he will learn to interact with other children which is so important for his upbringing.
Being a mum is not a job to me. It’s loving my baby and helping him become the best version of himself that he could ever be.
I would love to know what being a mum means to you. Leave your comments in the comment box below.
My Love, My Darling, My Little Baby, This is the journey between you and me. A once in a lifetime opportunity.
U have said it all Filay. Being a mum is not an ordinary status. You assume so many roles. When u become a mum, u believe u can do almost anything, and you do. U discover strength u never u possessed. Somedays can be overwhelming but u know u have to rise above it because there is another being depending on u. Being a mum is special. No matter whatever achievements u accumulate in life, nothing can come close to being a mother.
Wow! Well said Filay! Being a Mom is the most important title you can ever posses. It is the only title that exists that shows unselfish love and care for another human being. My greatest achievement is Being a Mom!