Overworked, Underpaid
By Mommy's Girl
"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving (1783-1859)
MOTHER’S OCCUPATION: Housewife. When I was younger, I have always secretly wished to fill out that space with an occupation other than housewife. I had this impression that housewives or mothers in general had the easiest jobs in the world. What could be easier than being in the house for the entire day, the T.V. just within your reach and without a boss to nag you about what to do?
I even used to feel indifferent towards working moms complaining about how difficult it is to be working and being a mom at the same time. I never considered motherhood as a job at all. Later on, I realized that I was all wrong. As I grew up, I got to get a close relationship with my mom. We became like best friends. We tell everything to each other. One day, I asked her, “Hindi ka ba naiinip dito sa bahay? Ikaw lang mag-isa at wala kang ginagawa?” Her reply was, “Naku, kung alam mo lang, ang daming kailangang gawin dito.Para ngang walang katapusan eh. Gigising ka ng maaga para magluto, maglilinis ka ng bahay, maglalaba ka ng damit. ‘Kaw pa din mag-iisip pa’no i-budget yung pera. Masaya ka na kapag makakapagpahinga ka ng maaga.” It actually took time before what she told me sank in. When it did, I realized being a housewife more so, being a mother, is not all cakes and ale. It was a job all in itself. Being a mother requires the entire twenty-four hours of each of your day and the full seven days of your every week. It allows no absences or leaves. It does not grant vacations and to top it all off, it does not provide any monetary payment.
The Filipino description for mothers, ilaw ng tahanan, perfectly encapsulates what a mother’s role really is. A mother provides the light her family needs through the guidance she gives them. If man was God’s masterpiece, mothers were his greatest masterpieces. They are this all-in-one package specifically made to suit our every need.
"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." - Washington Irving (1783-1859)
MOTHER’S OCCUPATION: Housewife. When I was younger, I have always secretly wished to fill out that space with an occupation other than housewife. I had this impression that housewives or mothers in general had the easiest jobs in the world. What could be easier than being in the house for the entire day, the T.V. just within your reach and without a boss to nag you about what to do?
I even used to feel indifferent towards working moms complaining about how difficult it is to be working and being a mom at the same time. I never considered motherhood as a job at all. Later on, I realized that I was all wrong. As I grew up, I got to get a close relationship with my mom. We became like best friends. We tell everything to each other. One day, I asked her, “Hindi ka ba naiinip dito sa bahay? Ikaw lang mag-isa at wala kang ginagawa?” Her reply was, “Naku, kung alam mo lang, ang daming kailangang gawin dito.
The Filipino description for mothers, ilaw ng tahanan, perfectly encapsulates what a mother’s role really is. A mother provides the light her family needs through the guidance she gives them. If man was God’s masterpiece, mothers were his greatest masterpieces. They are this all-in-one package specifically made to suit our every need.
If we just seriously think about it, we owe them everything. Yeah, we’ve heard of this a thousand times but it just speaks of so much truth. Our very existence depended on our mothers. When we were born, they have gambled their lives just to give us ours. Let me ask you, can you still remember the first words you uttered? Or perhaps the time you took your first steps? Silly questions, I know. Of course not one of us has a clear recollection of these events in our lives. But there is someone with whom in her heart, these memories are vividly etched and these are our mothers. They are our light, our solace. Moms are perhaps the most self-sacrificing, selfless, compassionate and loving creatures ever to walk on earth. They were our first mentors. Our mothers are also our source of comfort in our times of distress. When we were kids, it was their hands we hold during stormy nights when we feel afraid of thunder. Now, as grown-ups it is still in them that we find solace whenever we encounter problems, be it in our acads or even in our love lives. It is their name we call when we are lost or in pain. Whenever we loose track of our paths and go wayward, they wait for us always ready to take us back again.
For all AguPips, we live far away from our moms for most part of the year. Mother’s day is just one day and it is obviously not enough to show these special women what they really mean to us. I personally find it perplexingly ironic that in one whole year, given its 365-day length, only one day is allotted to give honor to the most important person in each of our lives. I think it would be a good idea to make our moms feel special and loved not only on mother’s day but on every chance we get. It is the least we could do to repay her besides; it does not require that much. All it takes is just a warm hug, a kiss or the sincere utterance of I love you and thank you po.
For all AguPips, we live far away from our moms for most part of the year. Mother’s day is just one day and it is obviously not enough to show these special women what they really mean to us. I personally find it perplexingly ironic that in one whole year, given its 365-day length, only one day is allotted to give honor to the most important person in each of our lives. I think it would be a good idea to make our moms feel special and loved not only on mother’s day but on every chance we get. It is the least we could do to repay her besides; it does not require that much. All it takes is just a warm hug, a kiss or the sincere utterance of I love you and thank you po.
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