Friday 31 July 2009

Little Red

Life as a mama can be full of hum-drum. Working all day every day is draining to every part of me - physically, mentally, emotionally. Anyone who says that being a stay-at-home mum* is not difficult, try it for more than a few days. The novelty will wear off and you'll see that the monotony that can be almost crippling, let alone being called out, yelled at, and constantly requested for food, trafficking tantrums and trying to keep the house tidy (trying is the operative word there).

Malvina Reynolds was an American folk and blues singer and songwriter, as well as a political activist. Try saying that ten times fast. You might know her song 'Little Boxes'. Here's Regina Spektor's version that was used on 'Weeds'.

But the song that's talking to me at the moment is below. I am sure you will know this age-old story. I used to listen to the story on an old record player that belonged to my grand-uncle Silas. I'd lie on the carpet and turn the page when the record went *ding*.

Charge your glasses for all the hard-working mamas of the world. It's Friday. Let's all snaffle some me-minutes this weekend and re-charge your batteries.

* No matter what kind of mama you are, working, SAH, juggling, we're all in this together. I've been both. I can vouch for both. Both are very hard work.

12 comments:

Ellieboo said...

Stay at home mum is one helluva tough gig. I have never thought mum's had it easy, but to be perfectly honest pre baby I didnt actually give it much thought. But since - well it is for sure the hardest thing I have ever done.

I had to go back to work for financial reasons but I think I needed to go back anyway because I found the 24/7 of motherhood just too hard to handle.

So absolutely my glass is raised - to us you and us all.

Nikkers said...

I'm right there with you both.

Whether you're a stay at home mum, a mum who works part-time or a mum who works full time, it's very demanding and trying. I've experienced it all since I first became a mum almost eights years ago and none of it is easy!

Cheers to mums everywhere.

Cath @ chunkychooky said...

Cheers!!! I agree, I am a part time working mum to one and I find it hard let alone any of the other combinations/ more children.... I think I am better at it doing ti part time... its hard being away and its hard not being away too....

Amanda said...

Absolutely! Personally, I would prefer to be a part-time working mum...even though the logistics were challenging, I loved the balance it brought to my life.

But...I'm a SAHM for at least another year or two due to Small Child's dodgy lungs and wondering how I'm going to survive the mental exhaustion.

You're right - whatever shape your 'mothering' comes in, it's hard work...chardy anyone?

dorothybills..... said...

Uh huh, I know where you are coming from I have three kids, 13, 10 and 2, I have worked on and off part-time with them all and my brain does go a little crazy when I am at home all the time!
'me time' is needed for the sack of all the family, they miss you and you miss them and you come home with a smile on your face, for a while anyway until one child annoys another and that all to familiar 'muuuum!'rings in your ears! Deep breath and think that you will have another 'me time', soon, very soon!

Anonymous said...

Hear hear!! SAHMama so rewarding yet so damn hard... and the monotony ohhh my!! Thanx for your voice.

A said...

Yep, what everyone else said....
Tough gig - and as I like to say - The pay is low and the hours suck! ; )

Rachael @Mogantosh said...

Oh, a good day for me to read this. Ivy has been marinating an enormous tantrum all afternoon that erupted tonight. All I could do was sit next to her as she wailed, kicked and screamed 'I DON"T WANT YOU!'

Man, I never had an office job this hard.

Amber Greene said...

Staying at home is definitely harder than going off to my old kindergarten class with 25 little ones. That stops at 3pm, every day. Sure, I feel like I never get anything done and the house is a big mess (I have given up housecleaning more than once a week- I need some kind of life!) but the best thing I have ever done is to set up my home 'rhythm' and find the spaces in this where I can breathe.... Baby is settled, happy and most of the time is content to just hang out with me. With all the things I want to do, I just remember that the time goes all too quickly and my time will come again. I have a 14 year old too, so I know a certain freedom comes sooner than expected!! Let's remember to enjoy the small moments everyday.

Unknown said...

Great post, and great comments from everyone!
I can def. relate. My baby is 5 mo and I TRY to work from home, on my jewelry biz.

Some days, I work more than others. But, I already realize that time flies by fast, when I see photos of newborns, and know my baby will never be that small again!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Sylvia

teddybearswednesday said...

Great post. I have absolute no doubt in my mind this is totally true ( sorry not being a Mum myself I don't really have any experience, unless you count bears... but I don't think so)
THe older I get and since growing up, i have more and more respect for Mums and parents in general, and am gobsmacked by the amount of work it is just to be a parent. How amazing it is to be a Mum and how much of your life it take up. I think your fabulous.

Cindy said...

I think being a mum involves give up such a large part of you t o insill stuff into a little one. It is hard working or not to give that much of yourself I think. Sure it can be a tough job, crappy hours and pay, but the love pay isn't too bad at all