March 9, 2009 11:23 AM
Book giveaway: Chicken Soup for the Soul Power Moms
In addition to my own books, I have contributed to over 30 collections of stories. My sixth contribution to Chicken Soup is in the soon-to-be-released Power Moms collection:
Every Mother's a Working MotherIt was the kind of splendid September day when sending kids to school just feels wrong. Fortunately, that year I was homeschooling and calling the shots. Plus we were living in California, an hour from the Pacific Ocean. For all I knew, it could be the last day of summer, and we wouldn't want to miss that. So it was off to the ocean with five children under eight - Josh, Matt, Ben, Zach, and Sophia.
Together, we cleaned up from breakfast, prepped the car, then gathered beach blankets, umbrella, towels, swimsuits, diapers, sunglasses, sand toys, first aid kit, sunscreen, a cooler full of snacks and drinks - ay yi yi yi yi! Hello, motherhood - goodbye spontaneity.
I loaded the assorted car seats and strapped, snapped, and buckled five wiggling bodies into Big Blue - the 1989 Suburban we grew out of only a few years later. And we were on our way.
With everyone else in school, the whole beach was ours. I staked out our territory close to the water, hauled everything down from the car, and set up camp. For five hours I served as personal valet, sunscreen slatherer, weather advisor, recreation director, swim instructor, lifeguard, EMT, food concessionaire, manners consultant, bus boy, interpreter, peace negotiator, psychologist - not to mention lost-and-found.
Finally, I hauled everything back to the car, strapped, snapped, and buckled five sunscreen-and-sand-coated no-longer-wiggly warm, limp bodies back into Big Blue and headed for home.
The sun through the window was soothing, and the car was full of contentment. It had been a wonderful day and I was pleased with myself as a mother.
Then from the back seat, I heard Zachary clear his throat, and in his deadpan four-year-old Eeyore voice ask, "Mom, when are you going to get a job?"
"This is my job," I said, somewhat amused and just a little edgy.
But homeward bound, as the kids fell asleep one by one and I was left alone with my thoughts, I began to see the beauty of Zach's question: somehow - even though it could be hard work and even though I had my testy moments - my kids didn't think of motherhood as a job.
And I decided that was a good thing - because it's not really a job at all, but a calling. And callings just don't look like jobs, because they require more of a person than a job requires.
Which makes it hard for moms whose days are spent conquering mountains of laundry, creating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and kissing owies.
We live in a world where success is measured by progress - as recorded on report cards, sales reports, performance reviews, pay raises. And symbolized by ribbons, trophies, and merit badges. In our lifetimes, our husband and children will bring scores of these items home and make us proud. We'll put them in scrapbooks, sew them on uniforms, frame and hang them up for all to see.
But I don't know of any special awards for teaching a child to tie her shoe or come to dinner when he's called. No raises or praises when a mother drops everything to drive someone out for posterboard: "Your project's due tomorrow? But it's almost eight o'clock!"
Every day this goes on: everyday moms doing everyday things - sometimes struggling with feelings of inferiority or even worthlessness - just being obedient to their call.
But while motherhood can look easy - it's certainly not rocket science, after all - the irony is this: while lots of important people in important places conduct lots of important business every day, the truly most important work in the whole world is really going on at home, where the CEO is mommy.
And God is like an equal opportunity employer, giving every woman in the world - through birth and adoption - this wonderful, unequalled opportunity.
I guess if we got disgruntled enough from lack of appreciation, we could start a Mommy Power movement (the same seeds of discontent that began the feminist movement - only in a direction away from motherhood). We could have bumper stickers that say "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
We could sue people who put us down at parties and maybe even become a protected minority.
But that wouldn't be very mommy-like, would it? Because there's something about mommies that should be soft where others are hard, kind where others are cruel, patient where others can't wait. We may not start out that way at all, but there's absolutely nothing like motherhood to change anything about us that needs to be changed.
At least, that's how it's been on my motherhood journey. I set out to make a home, to grow a family, and to help my children reach their potential.
The most amazing thing is that while I was helping them reach theirs, they were helping me reach mine.
I have two copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms: 101 Stories Celebrating the Power of Choice for Stay at Home and Work from Home Moms
Please leave a comment and I will draw two names Thursday morning at 9.
Posted in Books, Contest, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Your story really blessed me this morning. Thank you. I would love to read more of these stories.
Posted by: michelle c | March 9, 2009 11:46 AM
Please enter me. I've been reading your blog for about 2 years now and am especially encouraged by your Montesorri and preschool posts as I am a mother of 2 preschoolers.
Posted by: Julia | March 9, 2009 11:51 AM
Great story!
I do like the idea of a "MOMMY POWER!" t-shirt. Not as a way of being proud, but just to celebrate the wonderful power, especially the soft moments, of being a mom.
It has certainly changed me!
Thanks for letting us in on the read, Barbara.
Posted by: von | March 9, 2009 12:17 PM
so exciting! i have a story in there as well!
Posted by: Ruth | March 9, 2009 12:54 PM
I really enjoyed your story. My mother doesn't understand my choice to stay home and homeschool. She made a career and a life for herself after she divorced my dad and can't believe that I would WANT to live the life she escaped from. I was a "latch-key kid" and very lonely. Thanks so much for doing what you do. I've been encouraged by your blog and stories of other moms with similar values are terrific ! Please enter me in your drawing.
Thanks !!
Posted by: dee | March 9, 2009 1:05 PM
Please enter me in the drawing as well.
Posted by: Shannon | March 9, 2009 1:39 PM
Oh Barbara, I LOVE reading your reflections and insights into motherhood! Thank you for your continued inspiration and encouragement. Formerly a busy professional, now promoted to the CEO of Home Child Development, I do love reading your blog!
God Bless, and please include me in the drawing. :)
Kate
Posted by: Kate | March 9, 2009 1:53 PM
I needed this today, as I was sitting here feeling very sorry for myself this article helped me cheer up a bit. Thank you.
Please enter me in the drawing as well! :D
Posted by: Debra | March 9, 2009 2:28 PM
A friend of mine just sent me the link for your blog a week or so ago, and I have been really enjoying it! We are considering homeschooling, and I've appreciated what you have to say. It's amazing the opposition we have gotten from well meaning people when we even mention it, but there are also others who are supportive. I'd love to be in the draw! Thanks:)
Posted by: Becky | March 9, 2009 2:30 PM
Love the post - - even though I do 2 jobs from home, in addition to being the CEO of my home, my 7-year old still asks me about getting a job! It just makes me laugh and wonder what he's thinking!! I linked your post to my facebook also!
Posted by: Kim Moore | March 9, 2009 2:57 PM
Thank you so much for the encouragement. =)
Posted by: Emily | March 9, 2009 5:24 PM
What a beautiful story!
Posted by: Cath Young | March 9, 2009 8:11 PM
Beautiful story!
Posted by: Shauna | March 9, 2009 11:32 PM
I'd love to win this book!
Posted by: YCW | March 10, 2009 7:41 AM
Wonderful post, thanks for sharing it. I am blessed by your blog daily.
Posted by: Carol | March 10, 2009 7:44 AM
My first one is on the way in June!! I need all the encouargement I can get! :) Enter me!
Posted by: Jamie | March 10, 2009 8:55 AM
What a great story! This looks like a wonderful book...thanks for offering the prize.
Posted by: Elizabeth V. | March 10, 2009 9:20 AM
Barbara,
I have been a follower of your blog for quite a while now and really enjoy your comments, wisdom and your knowledge of anything related to motherhood, politics and religion. As a stay-at-home mom to 5 children, ages 6 to 16 for the past 13 years, I enjoy your take of the world and your willingness to express your opinion in a public forum when most people are afraid to do so. We, stay at home mothers, are a force that keeps our families strong, healthy and connected! I really enjoy my vocation even though I am not taken seriously even when I describe my profession as President and CEO of the Blanchard family business. Thank you for lighting up my day, every day when others either try to dim and turn off the lights!
Oh! and include me in the draw too! Thank you!
Charlene
Posted by: Charlene Blanchard | March 10, 2009 10:30 AM
Thanks for the chance to win. May the good Lord bless you & your family!
Posted by: Kris Z | March 10, 2009 10:52 AM
What a nice story! I am looking forward to reading the entire book. With 6 homeschooling kids under 17, I wish I had more time to write. Have you ever written about how you find time to do research and write?
Posted by: Marie | March 10, 2009 3:37 PM
Cool. Sign me up please
Posted by: Lisa | March 10, 2009 4:50 PM
Thanks, Barabara. I love these "Soul" series ... and didn't know about this one. And thanks so much for ALL of the great info on your blog. You keep me enlightened and learning, day by day.
God bless, Karen
Posted by: Karen | March 10, 2009 9:53 PM
I would love to win this to share with my Mom. Thanks.
Posted by: Susan | March 10, 2009 10:04 PM
Sign me up too :)
Posted by: Margaret | March 10, 2009 10:11 PM
I hope I win, thanks!
Posted by: Carol | March 11, 2009 6:30 AM
What a great story, it gave me a much needed smile this morning. Would love a chance to read the book!
Posted by: Marie | March 11, 2009 11:47 AM
This is a beautiful story. I would love to read more of these stories. Please enter me in the draw.
Thank you!
Posted by: Mrs. Doiron | March 11, 2009 1:37 PM
What an encouraging story! Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
Posted by: Sarah | March 11, 2009 8:00 PM
Awesome! Thanks SO much for sharing!
Posted by: Wendy | March 12, 2009 7:13 AM
Great story!
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Kim V | March 12, 2009 8:11 AM
