A Peek Into the Life of a Working Mom: Memorial Day Weekend

Baby playing in the grass

"Most Americans don't fully see, don't fully understand the sacrifice made by the one percent who serve in this all-volunteer armed forces - a sacrifice that preserves the freedoms we too often take for granted. Few know that it's like to take a bullet for a buddy, or to live with the fact that he or she took one for you." President Obama comments about Memorial Day

While my maternal grandfather was a veteran, I don't come from a true military family. I am one of those Americans who live their lives largely untouched by the sacrifices that our service men and women make to preserve our way life. That said, I recognize that I benefit from those sacrifices. So, on Memorial Day, I pause and say thank you.

In Schenley Farms at a cookout

Nobody appreciates long weekends more than a working mom with small children. I work a regular corporate job, which means that my workday exists within "normal business hours". And because I am someone whom others rely upon for advice, my workday extends into the evening as well. That takes me away from my family. Indeed, my work so effortlessly encroaches upon my family life that we have all become used to it. I am no different than a lot of moms though.

Working moms work hard. We sacrifice our time with our children in order to bring home the bacon and satisfy our own ambitions. We are modern moms and although many of us love what we do, we love our kids intensely and we can't get enough of them. However, most of the time when we are with our kids we are on borrowed time. We are aware that the time we spend cuddling could be spent doing something else that is more "productive".

In Somerset, Pa. at great-grandparents house

For that reason, holidays are a tremendous gift. For many working moms, holidays allow us to have uninterrupted time with our children. They are even better than vacations. Vacations are a personal choice that disrupt your employer's life and you have to pay for them beforehand with extra work and pay for them afterwards with extra work. When the office breaks for a holiday though, everything shuts down. You can enjoy the break without regret because you know that nobody is working. That gives you the opportunity to just bask in the love.

It also gives you an extra day to catch up on housework. And although that is not very festive, I have to say that I was thrilled to have another day to do laundry and clean the bathrooms. I can't say that my house is clean now, but it is less embarrassing, which is quite a feat!

With so many tragedies happening in the world, I am conscious that enjoying a a holiday weekend with my children and having perfect weather is a tremendous gift. I don't take it for granted. However, I think that it is my duty to thoroughly enjoy these moments of joy. Indeed, I believe that is what the service men and women have been fighting for.

THANK YOU!!!

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