As a mom, I certainly understand how demanding the job of motherhood can be. Not too long ago, I was caught in a ‘hamster wheel’ working a 90 hour week and earning an income that I was too tired to enjoy.
As a young CEO, I worked relentlessly to build a company, overseeing everything from stamp-licking to new product development. The rewards were tangible, mostly monetary in nature. Every now and then there was a ‘power bump’….an accolade bestowed… an event to attend….a flattering article to read. Young, unmarried and childless, I found my work exhausting–yet SO worth it.
A few years later, I am working just as hard as I did back then. This time, however, it is the call of motherhood that demands the hours I so easily devoted to other pursuits. Tangible rewards? Not so much.
Clearing stuffy noses and finding lost dolls probably won’t bring on the cheers. There are no medals for marathon breastfeeding, shuttle service to and from lessons or for teaching your own child to read. Chances are the 1,000th diaper change will go unnoticed too.
When first steps, smiles and hugs aren’t enough, it is really easy to take for granted the things for which one ought to be grateful.
If your children were born free and healthy, give thanks. If your home has running water, electricity and heat, give thanks. If there is food in your refrigerator and clothes in your closet and your ’girl children’ are free to obtain an education, give thanks.
For the last few years, I have been privilegedto talk with mothers around the world. Interviewing educators, activists, policy makers and global thought leaders has afforded me the opportunity to become actively involved in the work of child advocacy.
The information shared by those on the front lines reminds me gently to give thanks for all that I have. I plan to celebrate Thanksgiving in America this week–the holiday that reminds us all to cultivate an ‘attitude of gratitude.’ Whether you’re planning a traditional sit-down, a picnic or a hotel feast, I pray that your holiday is a good one and that in some way you too are thanked for your work. Mothering is definitely a tough job, but there is so much to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving from MOMbo TV!
The Hamilton Children’s Garden is the largest interactive children’s garden on the West Coast. Located within the San Diego Botanical Gardens, Hamilton offers children a fun multi-sensory learning experience. With plenty of places to climb, crawl through, smell and listen, the garden does a great job of engaging young children in the study of botany.
We had an opportunity to spend some time at the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach, FL. This is a wonderful resource for families looking to enjoy a bit of Florida’s natural habitat. The Center offers a wealth of information that can be taken home–books, pamphlets, coloring pages..Definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in [...]
At The Little Village Home Preschool, science is usually fun. We took a trip recently to the California Science Center…..where the girls were able to play and learn.
This week on MOMbo TV, we’re taking a look at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the challenge of juvenile justice.
It’s National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child! This Christmas, ‘goody-filled’ shoeboxes will be delivered to needy children around the world. An outreach of Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child aims to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children across the globe.
MOMbo TV had an opportunity to attend an artdate with Artsy Mamas, a nonprofit [...]
Last week we took some time to explore the city of St. Louis. One of our most favorite finds was the City Museum in Dowtown. The girls had an amazing time exploring the urban setting. This is by far one of the best (and certainly most interesting) spaces for children that we have ever seen. [...]