I’m Giving You a High Five, Mom

An interesting fact – I am currently the sole income provider for my family. I realize this is kind of unique because I am a woman and if there is a family set up where a parent doesn’t work, it’s “usually” the mom that stays home.

My husband is currently in school for his Masters in the medical field. In short, I’ve become somewhat of a single parent for the last year and change. 

It’s only a temporary situation, but it has provided me with immeasurable value. I know how crazy fortunate I am to be in a loving relationship and have a supportive family nearby. I know that it won’t be this way forever. I know that I can handle more than I thought I could. I know that I can juggle running a family and a career and even earn a promotion in the meantime.

And I know I would’ve missed out on all the silly and thought-provoking conversations with my daughter during our daily commute back and forth to daycare if we weren’t in this situation.

These are the things that I try to grasp onto when I walk in the door at 5 p.m. with a toddler who has to go potty and am greeted with a dog covered in her own puke.

And I try to remember these things when cleaning up said dog and her vomit footprints while my toddler takes interest in the front of the still-hot vehicle and tries to stick her hand in.

And once again when I pick up my 40-pound fur baby and hold her to my chest like wearing a baby in an Ergo carrier in an attempt to carry her over the puddle of puke in the doorway only to then turn to find my toddler drawing shapes in it.

And again when, three hours later, I smell something when reading bedtime stories and realize that I missed a spot and have to give the dog a bath for the second day in a row.

Things get crazy. Moms get stretched and moms give it their all, day in and day out, no matter the situation.

I also say “we” are in this situation because it really is we. While my husband is doing the grunt work of a 90-minute, one-way commute and studying into the wee hours of the morning, I get the un-celebrated tasks. I keep things running at home. I make sure our daughter has clothes that fit when the seasons turn. I make sure that the field trip permission slip is turned in on time. I ensure she gets (somewhat) healthy meals and fun trips to the library.

No one is patting me on the back saying “good for you” or “four more months to go, you got this!”  I am not complaining. I love being a mom. It just comes with motherhood and managing a family. 

My point is, it takes both of us to make my husband’s dream come true. We both have had sacrifices and we both have had gains. My husband gets support from his family so he can focus on his education. While his academic achievements should most definitely be celebrated, so should mine.

That whole situation with a curious toddler and a messy dog might not seem like a big deal, but it was to me. I didn’t lose my cool throughout the chaos and I am pretty proud that I also made dinner, bathed my daughter, and got her to bed on time.

While I know our situation is unique, I know that every family has its own uniqueness. I want to give all those moms that make the world keep turning for their family a virtual high five.

I see you.

I see your tough days.

I see your moments when the doubt creeps in and the tears take over.

But I also see you in the victories, however small or large they are. Did you get everyone where they needed to be this morning? High five, mom!

Did you slay bedtime and get thirty minutes of me-time at the end of the day? High five, mom!

Were you super sneaky and manage to eat three Oreo cookies without anyone else wanting one right before dinner? Double high five, mom!

Whatever it is and whatever your day brings, you’ve got this. I know you do.