Just yesterday I received an e-mail from my mom called The Invisible Mom. It was about how much moms do and how little they are acknowledged for it. It made me feel good that my mom thought of me and sent it out because I had been feeling a bit invisible lately. So last night while baking cookies, cooking dinner, and answering my kids endless questions, all at the same time, the idea for this article came to mind.

Tell me honestly, do you remember how much your mom did everyday? I know that I didn’t until I became a mom myself. Yes, at first I was horrible at this whole multitasking thing. How was anyone supposed to get anything done when you’ve got a baby in the house?!?! People would tell me ” When the baby sleeps is when you should get your sleep.” Are you kidding me? That was when I could actually get some housework done, straighten up, eat a decent meal, and if at all possible, take a nice hot shower ( with the door open so I could hear my son if he woke up). Now my kids are 8 and 10. No, that doesn’t make it any easier. Sorry folks, but that’s the truth, it doesn’t get easier when they get older. Now instead of wanting to eat or needing a diaper change they want other more complicated things. For instance, ” Mom, the computer froze up again. What do I do?” “Mom, can I go to Anthony’s house?” And my favorite, while I’m in the middle of balancing the checkbook or some other involved chore ” Mom, what is 198,675 times 14,579?” Not that they need it for homework but just because they want to know.

I have to say though that a lot more people outside the home realize just how much moms do. I have told customer service people over the phone that I don’t work, I’m a stay-at-home-mom. They have told me that I should never say that I don’t work because i work harder than they do and they would easily choose their job over mine. I have also been called a domestic engineer instead of stay-at-home-mom or homemaker.

Think about it, how many people do you know, besides a mom that can cook dinner for a family of at least three, clean the house, answer the phone, make a shopping list, do laundry, break up a heated argument between the kids, and feed the household pets, at the same time? Now don’t go telling me that it is not possible to do all that at one time because I have done it. Throw in helping with homework and you’ve pretty much got a normal evening at any home with school age children!

Mom’s are taxis, chefs, maids, homework helpers, answering services, disciplinarians, and so much more. My mom told me last night that she used to tell us when we were kids ” My name is not Mom Can I” because that is what she heard all the time, and that is what I hear now. I have a whole new respect for all moms in the world, especially my own who has been so very wonderful through out the years.

Mom is always there when she is needed. She is a constant source of advice, but only when I ask for it. She is understanding and likes to share little stories about things that we did when we were kids. She is my mom, but she is also a grandma to five now, and she still multitasks. I guess once you get started it is hard to stop. She went back to college when i was in fifth grade, now has her Masters degree in Geology, and she teaches at several different colleges in her area. I don’t think she will ever slow down, but she gets that from her amazing mom. My grandma is in her early eighties and still works three days a week because she wants to. She also travels with her sister, gets together whenever possible with friends and family, gardens, and enjoys life. I hope I am in that good of shape when I get to her age!

I know that us moms sometimes feel unappreciated but just be reassured that while we go mostly unnoticed now, we are shaping what will be some wonderful people and the future of our world. Just remember, payback comes when they have kids of their own ( evil laughter)!