No One Navigates Tough Times Quite Like a Mom

When I was twelve, my mother took on her first job, answering phones at an engineering company. My father wasn’t thrilled about her working outside the home; he was controlling and preferred her to focus solely on him and the kids. I vividly remember her getting promoted after a year, which ultimately led to her moving out.

Fast forward ten years, and she confided in me about her thoughts when she took that job: “I hated being away from you kids, but you were old enough to stay home alone, and I realized it was time to leave that marriage.” For years, my mother endured life under my father’s strict rules. Taking that job was a calculated move; she aimed for a promotion that would allow her to support herself. The turning point came one summer evening while we were at the beach, watching the sunset.

“Your father was on a men’s weekend trip, and we brought fried chicken to the beach for dinner,” she reminisced. (My dad despised the beach; my mom adored it). “As I watched you all walk ahead in the sand, I realized I was so much happier with just you kids. I craved the freedom to live life on my own terms without being controlled.”

When she moved out, the only possessions she had were hand-me-downs from her coworkers. The house was in my father’s name, and since she had only worked for a year, he deemed her unworthy of any proceeds from its sale. Her new apartment was a tiny one-bedroom where all five of us squeezed in for nearly a year until she saved enough for a small house. After that, we rarely saw my father, and my mother successfully raised four teenagers on her own while juggling a full-time job. She made it work.

When my husband and I decided to divorce, I hadn’t worked full time in over 13 years. I had no savings to speak of, yet I desperately wanted to keep the home we had built for our kids. I spent sleepless nights brainstorming how to manage it all.

I thought, I’ll buy groceries from the dollar store, sell some old clothes, start a side business, and use my credit card for everything to earn cash back rewards. There were countless moments of uncertainty. Having been financially supported by my husband for so long, I doubted my ability to open a 401K, learn to invest, or live frugally enough to remain in the home I loved. Yet somehow, I figured it out.

My sister, after having three kids, decided to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. Her husband, working as a school administrator, was often busy, but she committed to an hour-and-a-half commute four days a week for two years to earn her degree. She graduated and landed her dream job, all while managing the challenges of motherhood.

What truly astonishes me about mothers is our innate ability to nurture and adapt. We give selflessly, work tirelessly, and juggle multiple responsibilities. Yes, we have our moments of breakdown and we’re entitled to vent about the mental load we carry. Yet, we possess an incredible knack for problem-solving because we often have to fight harder than men to achieve our goals.

Add in the responsibility of raising children, and our protective instincts kick into overdrive — we will find a way to make it work. We may not have a clear plan, but we will find a solution. We might feel like giving up, but we’ll keep going. We may stumble along the way, but we will persevere. Even at our lowest points, we will find a way forward. Once we recognize our capabilities, there’s truly nothing we cannot handle. So, if you’re facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge, remember this: you are more resourceful and capable than you realize.

For more insights on navigating life’s challenges, check out one of our other blog posts here. If you’re interested in exploring options for artificial insemination, you can find valuable information here. And for an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, visit WebMD.

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Summary:

This article highlights the resilience and problem-solving abilities of mothers, illustrated through personal stories of overcoming challenging life situations. It emphasizes the strength and resourcefulness women embody, especially when faced with adversity, and encourages readers to recognize their capabilities.

Keyphrase: Mothers’ resilience

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