Last year I was able to show my thanks to my mum for all that she does for us, like she does for my whole family. She is an absolute angel and the glue that holds all our pieces together. You see, when you have 3 kids, a business and work full-time, and a husband who is also at his business from 7am – 7pm 5 days a week, things can easily fall apart.
Things have to get done, I’m sure you know very well these things I am about to refer to. There are thousands of things it feels like, especially when you have kids! Shopping, cooking, washing, dishes, booking appointments, getting organised for assembly items, book fairs, sports days, mother day stalls, parties, sport, homework, music practice, more washing, animals to feed, folding (I hate washing piles!), you get the idea.
I am so fortunate that my mum is my primary child carer (in the past we have had nannies & they too were AMAZING!, a subject for another post) and mum has my kids every day after school. Last year she had my youngest on a Wednesday which was her day off kindy and would take her to swimming lessons for me. That little fish went from beginner to stage 4 in a year thanks to mum putting in the time. She looks after so many things and keeps me organised so that when I get home I have a hundred less jobs to think about. Our handovers go something like this:
“Levi has done all his homework, he had piles of it, Sienna had her medicine but she hasn’t eaten much today, they played outside for about half an hour but Levi’s been on the playstation for a while now so he’s probably just about been on there long enough. Are you up to speed with the book fair, you know it’s this week? Your internet still isn’t working. Levi tried to fix it, apparently he knows what he’s doing. The washing is in the dryer and I asked the kids to put their clothes away. Now what’s happening on the weekend?”
So in a nutshell my mum makes my life a hell of a lot easier and less stressful, she’s the mum when I can’t be there with my kids. They are cool with it and it gives me a few more hours each day to do my paid work of helping my clients achieve their best life, who often need to see me later in the afternoon. It works really, really well. And to be clear, I know my mum loves us but I don’t expect her to do this for free so I pay her for it. She is totally worth it!
Last year I had a work conference in San Fransisco, so I thought what a great opportunity to thank my mum by taking her overseas! She had only been overseas once in her life, to Bali when I was about 7 years old. My dad isn’t keen on travelling so I thought this would be perfect. So in May 2018 we went to Los Angeles, stayed in Santa Monica for 5 days, then I drove from there up the coast to Pismo Beach and then up to San Fransisco for the last 4 days which included the conference. We were away for about 10 days in total.
We got to enjoy child free time and adult conversation, we didn’t have to cook a meal (bliss!), we didn’t touch a vacuum cleaner, we did a bike ride along the beach in Santa Monica and Venice Beach (pictured), we got to shop in peace, we did a bus tour through Beverley Hills and Rodeo Drive and I spent way too much money on a handbag. We cruised the harbour in San Fran and went to Alcatraz for a twilight tour and basically made loads of memories that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
So this is an appreciation post for my mum. Appreciate those who make your life better and thank them. We can’t do everything on our own so ask for help when you need it. Pay for help if you can afford it. Too many women these days are suffering from burn out. Do not burn yourself out to keep up appearances that you are superwoman and can do everything. Sometimes you just can’t. If you take some time to look after yourself, you can look after those around you so much better!
Also it is 2019 ladies, nobody should be expected to work full-time and still be a perfect 1950’s housewife, so don’t feel guilty if you bring in store bought goods to a bake sale. FYI I bought farm fresh jam and cookies at the shop for my daughter’s back to school bake sale, sorry-not sorry.
Shonel x
The Business of Life 