Thursday, October 22, 2015
I’m not a Work-Out Mom, I’m not a Career Mom, so what kind of Mom am I?
We moved across the country this summer, and this meant my kids would be the new kids at school, so I began to have a one track mind on getting them assimilated quickly. I made playdates with neighbors, I signed them up for soccer and Girl Scouts, but at Back to School night something funny happened. When we walked into the school, I realized this was also about us as parents, and more specifically, about me. I needed to meet the Moms too. Now I felt like the new kid myself and something struck me. There were Moms dressed in their fancy career clothes, there were Moms dressed in work-out clothes (at 7pm), and there were the PTA Moms. The problem was, I didn't fit into any of those categories.
I work out a little, but I don't love it. I used to be a big career Mom, but I quit when we moved to Colorado, since we were only going to be there for a year, so while I still remember vividly what it was like to be a working Mom, as far as everyone else is concerned, I am a stay at home Mom. I'm not a trendy Mom either, or a shopping Mom. Suddenly I felt panicked. Where would I fit? What kind of Mom was I going to be? Would I go back to work? Would I get super involved in school? Would I join a gym?
I shared my insecurities with my Mom and my husband. They pretty much thought I was a crazy person. Why did I care where I fit in?
I tried to get over it by telling myself I was being silly. I just needed to be myself and all would be well. But I did care. I went out and bought a fancy tennis skirt. Then toyed with the idea of going back to work. I joined the PTA. I was sure something would feel normal soon.
Then one day my kids came home from school and for about the fifth day in a row, they were all upset about something that happened on the bus. The bus company kept changing drivers, and changing pick-up times, and seating arrangements, and I realized this bus situation was causing them a tremendous amount of stress. They said they loved the bus and truly there were a lot of advantages. Everyone in the neighborhood takes the bus so they get to socialize a lot. They got to trade Pokemon cards, which they loved. Even I loved the bus because they looked so cute getting on and off and plus then I didn't have to fight the car line every day, but I knew it wasn't working. I made an impulsive decision and decided to pull them off the bus. They were sad about it at first, and I could tell everyone thought I was a bit crazy about the whole thing, but I decided to give it two weeks.
Two weeks later, I was amazed. They never complained about school anymore. They were happier. There were no more tears at night. The bus truly had been causing all the angst, they just didn't know it. That's when it hit me: I'm not Gym Mom, I'm not Soccer Mom, I'm not Career Mom. I'm Flexible Mom.
Since I'm not working I can change our schedule if we need to. I can babysit my nephew if my sister in law needs a break. I can get my husbands tire fixed for him on a whim. I can go with my Mom on a crazy two hour drive to look at a horse she wants to buy, because I am flexible.
It's good to have an identity. I think that's why Stay at Home Moms struggle so much, because sometimes just being a stay at home Mom isn't enough of an identity for us. But for now, I'm content to be Flexible Mom. Because someday, I might find something I'm really passionate about, and I can be flexible enough to jump on it. And in the meantime, I'll just keep trying my best to be a good Mom, and I'll keep trying to live in the moment and savor every moment of my flexible life.

Please consider trying out my book, The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble, and Motivated to Learn!

Labels:
career moms,
childhood,
Gym Moms,
kids,
Mom identity,
moms,
SAHM,
school bus
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Thank you a lot for sharing this put up with us. It become very informative post. I were given an amazing writing ability out of your blog. The properly-based writings are continually very quite and appealing. I really like your blog for those correct contents you are sharing. I have visited custom essay writing service and I got good writing style.
ReplyDeleteGreat Article Cloud Computing Projects
DeleteNetworking Projects
Final Year Projects for CSE
JavaScript Training in Chennai
JavaScript Training in Chennai
The Angular Training covers a wide range of topics including Components, Angular Directives, Angular Services, Pipes, security fundamentals, Routing, and Angular programmability. The new Angular TRaining will lay the foundation you need to specialise in Single Page Application developer. Angular Training
I really like your post good blog on site,Thanks for your sharing.
ReplyDeleteหนังใหม่
Amazing post.
ReplyDeleteESET NOD32 Technical Support
Wow!! I just read your post. It was inforamtive and well stiched. If you want any support on QuickBooks then feel free to seek help from our QuickBooks Payroll Support team at +1(800)-880-6389.
ReplyDeleteRead More: QuickBooks Error 15106 – When Updating QuickBooks Desktop
No.1 premier escort agency-Gurgaon escorts girl. Russian Escorts In Gurgaon know how to address physical desires of customer and can be best partner for female companionship on the bed at night.
ReplyDeleteVisit Here___
Mumbai Escorts
Escorts In Mumbai
Mumbai Call Girls
Call Girls In Mumbai
Call Girls In Andheri
Escorts Service In Mumbai
Mumbai Call Girls
Call Girls In Lokhanwala
==========================================================================================
Lucknow Escorts
Call Girls In Lucknow
Escorts In Lucknow
Himachal Pradesh University BA 2nd Year Result
ReplyDeleteHimachal Pradesh University BA 3rd Year Result
Call Girls in Gurgaon
ReplyDeleteCall Girl in Gurgaon
Call Girls Gurgaon
Call Girl Gurgaon
Call Girl Gurgaon Service
Call Girls Gurgaon Service
Call Girl in Gurgaon Service
Call Girls in Gurgaon Service
Best Call Girl Gurgaon
Best Call Girls Gurgaon
VIP Call Girls Gurgaon
VIP Call Girl Gurgaon
Gurgaon Call Girl
Gurgaon Call Girls
Russian Call Girls Gurgaon
Russian Call Girl Gurgaon
Call Girls in Dwarka
Call Girl in Dwarka
Call Girls Dwarka
Call Girl Dwarka
Call Girls in Haridwar
Call Girl in Haridwar
Call Girls Haridwar
Call Girl Haridwar
Call Girls in Noida
Call Girl in Noida
Call Girls Noida
Call Girl Noida
plumbing company Toronto
plumbing company Mississauga
https://aqualuxdp.ca/
https://www.torontoplumbinggroup.com/
https://www.singledate.in/
https://muskangirlsdwarka.in/
https://rishikeshgirls.in/call-girls-in-haridwar/
https://shipranoida.in/
Call Girls in Gurgaon | Call Girls Gurgaon | Call Girl Gurgaon | Call Girl in Gurgaon
Nice Content Thanks for sharing .snoring treatment in dubai
ReplyDeleteI personally found this post so much communicative and factual and enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeletequickbooks remote access | quickbooks 2017 windows 10 | file doctor quickbooks | quickbooks updates
I really want to thank Dr Emu for saving my marriage. My wife really treated me badly and left home for almost 3 month this got me sick and confused. Then I told my friend about how my wife has changed towards me then she told me to contact Dr Emu that he will help me bring back my wife and change her back to a good woman. I never believed in all this but I gave it a try. Dr Emu casted a spell of return of love on her, and my wife came back home for forgiveness and today we are happy again. If you are going through any relationship stress or you want back your Ex or Divorce husband you can contact his whatsapp +2347012841542 or email emutemple@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAwesome post and keep sharing your post
ReplyDeleteenzalutamide cost in india !!
enzalutamide generic price !!
enzalutamide 40 mg capsule !!
enzamide 40 mg tablet !!
enzalutamide 80 mg capsule !!
Thanks for sharing the article...You write very well...If you need backlinks please reach me on genuinehotelescorts@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCall Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Jaipur
Call Girls in Delhi
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Guwahati
Call Girls in Aerocity
Call Girls in Lucknow
Thanks for your helpful post, this post is very helpful for me I am so happy when I see your post. thanks a lot for your post keep it up.
ReplyDeleteMumbai Escort Service
Mumbai Call Girls
Netgear router is the best brand in all over the routers. If Orange Light on Netgear Router blinks then contact netgear experts via call,email or lived chat. For more information visit our website.
ReplyDeleteOrange Light on Netgear Router
Netgear Orange Light
Netgear Router Internet Light Orange
I am a fabulous pretty busty Independent Paharganj Escort Girls. I have a bright personality and love to provide and receive midnight experience from guys. For more information visit here- Paharganj Escort |
ReplyDeleteCall Girls in Paharganj