Here’s my party trick
We all have a party trick, and mine is juggling. I don’t mean in a metaphorical sense. I actually can juggle! But as a mum, I can confirm this is not a skill at all helpful in juggling two kids under two. Motherhood is a whole new level of tricky and I feel like I’m dropping the ball left, right and centre.
But that’s motherhood isn’t it? The nagging feeling you’re not doing it right. You’re doing everything for your little people but you still feel like you should be doing more. It’s something I’ve thought about a lot during late night feeds; why is this motherhood business so hard to master, and why do I feel completely out of my depth?
As a woman with a high-profile job, I often get undeserved praise for juggling kids and a career. Like many working mums will tell you, going to work is the break. I’m on parental leave after having my second baby, Pia, and believe me, this is the hardest I’ve ever worked. Stay-at-home mums deserve all the credit! The years may be short, as they say, but the days can be excruciatingly long. You are head chef, milk-maid, cleaner, carer, entertainer. You’re busy around the clock, but at the same time, have endless hours to fill. Don’t get me wrong, being a mother is a gift. We are lucky, but we are tired. Perhaps too tired to unwrap and appreciate that gift until we emerge from the sleepdeprived haze, and suddenly our babies are off to school. It sounds cliche, but you don’t fully appreciate mothers until you become one.
So as we celebrate extraordinary Gold Coast women, I want to highlight another very worthy group of selfless warriors. Those who may appear to be doing nothing out of the ordinary, but have the most important and most rewarding job. Raising children. Before I became one, I foolishly assumed I’d be a pro. Not because I can juggle, but because I’ve climbed a pretty precarious ladder career-wise and have strengths I thought would put me in good stead. I’m organised, efficient, know how to work to deadlines. I pride myself on my multi-tasking prowess that can have me write a script while I prep dinner, do squats, catch-up on Real Housewives, respond to emails and order my groceries. But I’ve found none of these qualities are all that helpful, and perhaps even holding me back from enjoying this experience. On paper I’m ticking all the boxes: setting a busy agenda with a list of goals to achieve by the deadline of bedtime. I’m rushing my babies out the door daily, to perform seemingly heroic feats instead of just being what they need. Their mum. My mother, on the other hand, is patient, calm, and above all - selfless. She’s already raised two kids, and now in her 60s is helping raise mine. She is a modern day Mary Poppins who can spend all day playing with my busy 20 monthold son, and never run out of energy or enthusiasm. When I ask how, she can’t even give me an answer, because it comes so naturally to her. It’s because she is selfless. It’s a quality common among many nominees in the Women of the Year (Angels Among Us, I’m looking at you!). Being selfless may not help you multi-task or climb the corporate ladder but I’m guessing it will earn you a lifetime of love and loyalty from those who matter most. Juggling is a fun trick, but this season, I’m learning to be selfless. There’s no better teacher than my mother, and of course, my own little people, as we continue to grow together.