It’s Mother’s Day for another couple of hours.
After last week’s rant, where I uncoolly raged against those who would make light of a new mother’s need to make choices in the workplace, a few observations:
Nothing, no thing can ever prepare a mother to be a mother.There is nothing you can read, although yes, old school of me, I love and will always love Dr. Spock’s wise words, and there’s nothing anyone can say, that will prepare you for the lost sleep, anxiety over issues big and small, or the need to prevent their inevitable pain which you feel like your own.
It is the toughest job on earth. Yes, Navy Seals I’m looking at you. It is a 24/7 commitment where you will make mistakes again and again. But hopefully not the same mistakes again and again. And did I mention the lost sleep?
If you’re lucky you will have a partner for whom having children is a joy rather than a burden. XOXOXOX to the love of my life who somehow manages to be half kid and half 
high-powered executive. Not sure how he does that.
If you are really blessed, you will have the help and comfort of family and friends who keep you smiling along the way.
But real life is full of judgment, bad days and frowns.
And being a mother means that you find a way to teach your child that those days happen to everyone. You reassure them every day that they are loved. You show them by time spent with them that it’s really all about time spent together. Those little moments talking, singing, and if you’re lucky a lot of laughing.
You send them off into the world feeling secure and safe, free to be their best selves, to choose a career, and decide whether to become parents themselves.
You succeed when they know you love them— no matter what. Always. Unconditionally.
