A thought about Real Mums

Someone posted this on a forum I frequent, she had recieved it as an email. I decided to post it here as I think that it sums up what I believe so well. We are all real mums, what makes us a real mum is love.


This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up spew saying 'It's all right honey, Mummy's here.' Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying Babies who can't be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and nappies in their hand bags.This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. And for the mothers who lost their baby in that precious 9 months that they will never get to watch grow on earth but one day will be reunited with in Heaven!

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their bums on metal stands at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, 'Did you see me, Mum?' they could say, 'Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world,' and mean it.This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the shops and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat. For all the mothers who read 'Goodnight, Moon' twice a night for a year. And then read it again. 'Just one more time.'This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead. This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to play footy.This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls 'Mum?' in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at uni.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away!This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14year-olds dye their hair green. This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... Sometimes totally unappreciated!For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cooks dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in herheart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. To put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2am when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through nappy changes and sleep deprivation...And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without.This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. 'Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall'.

Real SAHM!

Well, I did it. I would never have thought that I would, but on Thursday last week I became an official Stay-At-Home-Mum.

Lily is nearly 4 months old now and with the end of the year approaching I decided that it was time to make a decision one way or the other. I know my boss was planning staff for next year, so it was quite timely.

I have been teaching for 7 years, in that time I have moved up quite quickly, with my position at the time of going on maternity leave being a senior teacher with a team of 6 other teachers. It was quite a demanding role, in a rather progressive school. I would often work from 7am until 5 or 6 pm, and still have some work to do at home. There were many meetings and a lot of professional development. All very exciting and stimulating when you are passionate about your work, which I was.

And then my passions shifted. This little bundle came into our lives and changed everything. Thinking about putting her into daycare cut at my heart (amusing really, as previously I worked for a daycare that took children from 3 months), and my husband felt the same. (Actually, he was probably even more against the idea than I!) We looked at the money situation (not great, but we can get by for a while) and the decision was made.

So...I visited school, showed off my daughter to the staff and children, then let my boss know that I wasn't coming back. I know I am not irreplaceable, so I wasn't worried about letting them down. Letting them down would be me not telling them of my intentions until the last possible minute. This way they can plan for next years classes and make the best staffing choices they can.

And now I embark on a new adventure. Last week I was a mother on maternity leave. Now I am a real stay-at-home-mum. Quite a change.