How did you celebrate mothers' day yesterday? Yesterday, my husband let me rest and do whatever I wanted to do. He wanted to cook Kare kare for our lunch. My daughter gave me her 3rd mothers' day card for this month. She began creating mothers' cards for me since May 1st. She says she's going to give them to me on may 14th but everytime, she gets too over excited, she gives the card to me then she'll make another one to give me on the day itself. I ended up having 3 mothers's day cards, and a couple of t-shirt arts she made.
There was nothing much to do because I set our Sundays to be an idle day. Except for my daughter's ballet session in the afternoon, there really isn't any activity planned for the day. I couldn't crochet because I hurty finger crocheting too much last month. I still have a lot of lesson planning to do but that's a weekday kind of task. I resolved to reading instead.
I joined a Charlotte Mason book club organized by my co-parents in our homeschooling provider. Our first book would be volume 1 of Charlotte Mason's Homeschooling series: Home Education. I started reading this a while go but didn't get to finish it. Figured now's a good time as ny to pick up the book again. Instead of starting where I left off, I read it again from the beginning.
Parenting is a Social Responsibility
It must be some sheer coincidence that I reread this book yesterday, I came upon the topic Children are a Public trust. I am in full understanding that children are not a property if their parents. They do not have the power to do as they please with their child. They do not belong to their parents and they do not owe them anything. But they do owe it to the world to be the best of what they can be when they become adults. The children are entrusted to their parents so that when they are grown ups, they may do their best to be someone that adds value to the society.
This responsibility of raising the child to the best of their potential lays greatly in the hands of the mother. Parenthood is a shared endeavor between the mother and the father but it is the mother who has a substantial role in instructing and directing a child in their early years, which happens to be the most impressible years in a person's life.
Maternal Love is the First Agent of Education
I have been questioned numerous times whether I am qualified or not to teach my daughter. The moment I left the corporate world cemented my will to homeschool my kid for as long as we can. That doesn't stop the naysayers though from doubting me. I don't blame them. I doubt myself sometimes too. Reading Charlotte Mason's book though gave me affirmation that I am on the right track.
It says in her book that Pestalozzi - a Swiss educational reformer - that a mother is qualified to become the principal agent in the development of her child. If you come to think of it, no one knows their child more than the mother. Take the time to observe a mother and her young one, see how she understands everything the toddler says even when the young one couldn't say a single word.
Being a Stay-at-home-mom is a Profession
Even up to now, I question myself if I did the right thing putting a pause on my career to focus all of my time and energy in taking care of our little person at home. I used to call it "sacrificing my career" for my family. But now, I realized, this is not a sacrifice, it's just a pause. Because [for me,] sacrificing means losing myself or part of me so that my daughter and my husband could prosper in their own fields.
I realize now that being a stay at home mom is also a profession. Everyday I wake up, I dress up, and I show up. Just like every other professionals. I take due diligence in making sure that my family is nurtured, that they have a happy, loving home, and that each one of them is seen and cared for. Just like any other professions, I take mine seriously, consistently performing my duties to the best of my abilities, and diligently equipping myself with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the obligations my job as a homeschooling mom entails.
You deserve a break
I'm beyond thankful that I am blessed with a husband that appreciates everything I do for our family and a daughter so vocal and never fades to let me know how much she loves me. I sure love the nanay day off I got yesterday. Even when I often take breaks on our quiet time everyday, it still feels odd to not do anything at home. It sure feels so cool to be taken care of every once in a while.
If you're a mom - stay at home mom, homeschooling mom, career-oriented mom, single mom, and all other kind of moms out there, I want you to know that you have the most important job in the world. The future depends on those little ones that look up to you. And it's okay to rest and stop for a bit. It's okay to ask for help. It's perfectly okay to take care of yourself. The future of the world depends on you. If you're a mom, join me in saying these words of affirmation.
I am a mom. I am enough. I am qualified to take care of the little persons that are entrusted to me. I have the power make a change. It is okay to let go of things that are out of my control. I am equipped with everything essential for my family's welfare. My loved ones look to me to also take care of myself so I can continue performing the duties that the universe has bestowed upon me. I am a mom and I have the greatest job in the world.
Happy Mothers' day to all the moms in the world. You are a rockstar!
***All photos are created/edited through Canva.
