An Especially Special Mother’s Day

My mom, Carmen was a force of nature. My brother and my friends nicknamed her “the Carmenator.” She was a selfless, kind women, full of love and light and she loved us beyond measure. But make no mistake, she could level us with one look if she didn’t like the choices we were making.

With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I’ve been thinking of my Mom. She essentially worked a double shift most of her adult life; one job as nursing administrator, and the other as a single mother of two. Yet, she never missed any of our important events at school; she was always there for us when we needed support, and on top of all that, she was a mentor and coach for so many people at work.

It can be said that working two full-time jobs is true for every parent. But according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), with Covid-19 having us work from home, mothers are shouldering more than three times as much of the caregiving in their household as men, even though most fathers are now at home full time.

Now, before you Dads out there reply and challenge this, I give you this to consider. A recent survey found that almost half of fathers with children under the age of 12, say they are spending more time on childcare than their spouses. Yet, only 3% of their wives said their spouses are doing more. That’s a dramatically different point of view. (My wonderful wife will read this too, so I am in the same boat.)

So, for all moms out there, I want to say how much I admire, respect, and appreciate how you bring your whole self to work every day, while simultaneously caring for your family. I hope you are cherished and honored for all that you do this Mother’s Day, and that you take some much-deserved time for yourself. And, as for the Dads, well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll be stepping up my game at home.  

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!