Be Your Own Hero Today

On a day we celebrate mothers I reflect on what “mom” really means. And for me, this year (like so many others), this job description has changed. I hope all moms find some peace today knowing…quite frankly…that we have all been super heroes and absolutely deserve some grace and a pedicure!

This year I have had to add care giver to my “mom” resume. Care giver is not a job description any mom ever wants to see on her resume. And with care giver you are also care manager, care coordinator, administer of care, advocate for your child/family and sometimes a down and dirty fighter in a healthcare system that can sometimes be so difficult and frustrating to navigate.

I was a kindergarten teacher this year…gosh, my poor littlest. Back when one chooses a career…I purposefully chose not to be a teacher because I know patience is not my virtue (it does not even hit the list of “maybes”). But, I had no choice like so many other moms/parents this year. So, I put on my big girl pants, pulled out the “snap words”, and got to it! My littlest read me a book last night and I was so so proud of her…and a bit proud of me. Thank goodness I had not completely failed her.

I now serve and advocate for an area of health or medicine that is misunderstood and not well understood. Like so many others in our world that are seemingly “ok” most of the time, so is our oldest daughter. She is a beautiful, kind, compassionate soul who only and truly wants to be and do good. But, yesterday if you were one of five that walked off the elevator at her pediatric clinic and found our 12-year-old daughter screaming hateful words and hiding under a 3’W bench…assumption naturally is she might be a troubled child versus a sick child. Maybe that I am a horrible mom…versus a mom standing by and protecting our daughter from harm while I wait for her brain to come back online. How many other moms are doing the same and praying their child (young or older) gets help before it is to late and we do not misjudge, label or give up on.

I am now a stay-at-home mom. No longer a vice president or director in Fortune 500 businesses. Instead, I run a home and a team of five with my husband. I traded in my suits for yoga pants. My outlook calendar for school calendars. My corporate happy hours for after-school snacks. My cleaning help for a bucket of Lysol. Without a doubt, this is the harder job….and not nearly as glamorous. Someday I will do my hair again and maybe even wear make-up…someday.

I am a protector…sadly…when did I need to become a protector?! I protect my children from illness, social media, politics, social unrest…in addition to…looking both ways before crossing the street. I have no idea how to navigate this new space and while doing so…assure my children do not grow up in fear, but instead hopeful and with faith in good and people.

I am Kristin. Daughter to two amazing parents who have always and continue to be my guiding lights, my role models and strength. I am sister to an amazing younger brother I have always admired for what he does, but more importantly…for who he is. I am a wife to a husband who is my rock and generally (insert chuckle) loves me unconditionally despite all my faults. I have three beautiful children I will always love fiercely.

So, I put on my yoga pants everyday, put my hair in a bun, write to you and run a little business/mission I am proud of. Being a mom might look different this year, but I am grateful for my blessings and the opportunity to be in this space called “now”. I suspect there might be a time in my life I reflect back a bit fondly.

So, to all the other moms out there…do not try and do it all perfectly or be to hard on yourself…take more time to cherish the moments…and yourself. Be a hero for yourself today and always. A wise person in my life recently told me this…my mom.