We’ve all heard the saying, “Motherhood is a thankless job,” but let’s set the record straight: that’s just nonsense. Sure, being a mom can feel thankless at times—when you do countless things for everyone only to be noticed when something goes wrong—but it’s not a job in the traditional sense.
Take today, for example. It was spirit day at my 4-year-old’s preschool, and he was supposed to wear a particular shirt. I clearly remember washing, folding, and putting it in his drawer. Yet, when the time came, the shirt was nowhere to be found. Cue the chaos! My middle child ended up heading to school in an entirely wrong shirt, probably thinking I spend my days lounging and munching on snacks from Trader Joe’s (which, honestly, might not be a bad idea if clothes are going to up and disappear).
By definition, a job involves working to earn money. Heck, even being unemployed could be seen as more of a job than motherhood. With a job, you get vacation days (which I can’t even recall having as a mom) and sick leave (I’m currently battling a sinus infection and a double ear infection, yet still managing the mom duties). And mental health days? Don’t get me started; I could use one of those desperately.
I’m not working at being a mom. There’s no severance package, no 5 PM bell to signal the end of my shift, and no lunch breaks. Some nights, as I lay down, I think of the delightful moments I’ve shared with my kids—a genuine laugh, a heartfelt “thanks, Mom,” or an “I love you”—and my heart feels full. But most nights? I’m so exhausted I can’t even recall how I ended up in bed, my body weighed down by the relentless demands of motherhood.
This isn’t a job because it never truly ends. It’s like being a janitor in a mall: you mop the floor repeatedly, only to see a crowd trample over your hard work, leaving muddy footprints behind. At least the janitor gets paid!
I often wish I could take to heart the wise words of the elderly lady at the grocery store who pinches my baby’s cheeks and says, “Savor these moments, dear; they fly by!” She’s right; time is racing by, but I’m too caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks to appreciate it. Motherhood has engulfed me entirely. And while I sometimes fantasize about throwing a pile of laundry in the air and shouting, “I QUIT! TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT!” I can’t. Because it’s not a job—it’s my life.
Still, a mental health day would be a welcome thought.
By the way, if you’re interested in exploring options like home insemination, check out this post on the BabyMaker Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo and consider the At-Home Insemination Kit for a comprehensive setup. For more information on pregnancy and related topics, the Mayo Clinic offers excellent resources.
In summary, motherhood may come with its challenges and lack of recognition, but it’s an integral part of our lives, not a job we clock into.
Keyphrase: motherhood is not a job
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]