Thoughts on Being a "Super-Hero" Mom

I want to share a new idea with you- the idea that stay-at-home Moms do more than just "stay-at-home."

There's a song that comes to mind when I think of this, and it's truly fitting. It's called "Little Moments Like That," by Brad Paisley. This song is more done with a lover or sweetheart in mind, but it's a shining example of the precious moments between parents and children as well.

Whether we realize it or not, or intend on doing specifically that- we make memories with our children daily. When we play with them or stop what we're doing to take an extra moment with them- we are making a beautiful memory which lasts a lifetime, and telling our children that they are worthwhile.

That's the biggest responsibility of a parent, making sure our children know how much they are loved- how much they are loved.

All too often, stay-at-home Moms get caught up in the idea that they aren't doing anything "worthwhile" or accomplishing anything because they don't have a "real" job or high-paying career. This is likely the reason that many women feel pressured to stay in the workforce after they have children, and seem to be afraid to admit that they want to be stay-at-home Moms.

But accomplishing nothing? That's so far from the truth that it would be funny if it weren't so sad that society has pressured women to feel that being a stay-at-home Mom is "less than a job."

Most stay-at-home Moms, if given the opportunity to truly evaluate and think about it, will agree- They're accomplishing a lot each day. Even if your home looks like a cyclone hit it, you are late getting dinner on the table or have difficulty making sure your child's favorite pajamas are ready at bed time- you are molding these little people into the adults they will one day become.

Yes, your "work" often includes "play," but that is a child's job- and it's our job to make sure our children get to be children, and teach through play. Before disagreeing, think about it for a moment. The precious memories you're creating with your child now, will last a lifetime- and can make them into strong, happy adults who understand the importance of taking a moment for joy.

I would much rather my children remember that I took time out to play with them, hold them, cuddle them and talk to them. These are memories that will affect them positively, instead of negatively. The memories of them remembering me being so stressed about the house being "clean," that I didn't pay enough attention to them because I was more worried about cleaning or "getting things done" would be far more negative and damaging to the them.

And the moments, the memories... When we take the time out to play with our children, talk to them, cuddle them, etc- they will remember us as "Super Heroes" and will remember how safe and loved they felt.

The treasured moments when my three year old thinks I'm the most wonderful person on the planet because I found the toy car he'd been so upset about misplacing, or having me kiss his toy "night night" because he's so attached to it, that he sleeps with it. Those are moments that are full of love and light- and they make you realize that your "job" is full of enough rewards and benefits to make it all worth it.

The little moments with our children are what make any amount of sleep lost worth it at the end of the day, because you know it's not been all for "nothing"! The nights of staying up all night with a sick child, or losing sleep because they're scared of the dark- all worth it when they hug you so tight, tell you how much they love you, and they express joy (sometimes even surprise!) at the fact that you can do something- and express happiness that you do it for them. That makes being a stay-at-home Mom worth more than any paycheck could ever be worth.

We live for the moments when our children express joy, happiness and love- and after all, it's our job to teach them to take time out to "stop and smell the roses." When my children and I make memories together, they make me feel like a super-hero, and maybe I am. Maybe all stay-at-home Moms are.