For years and years I thought my mom "didn't work or do anything" until I became more of an adult and realized she does... literally everything. Managing my executive dad's life bc he can't do it himself (like we joke that if she died he would just waste away in dirty clothes bc he doesn't know how to go to the grocery store, cook or turn on the washing machine), managing my sister and my life and activities, running the PTA, sitting on MANY non-profit boards, volunteering... and all while being at my inept dad's beck-and-call. Looking back I am genuinely shocked by how much she did UNPAID and I feel so ashamed that I used to say "oh she's just a housewife." She's truly a renaissance woman who can plan a black tie gala to raise money for charity and then turn around and disassemble a toilet to fix a leaky pipe, all without breaking a sweat.
Omg this. I serve so many volunteer roles on behalf of my children. Recently my eldest got a gig on Broadway so now I’ve become an expert in how that all works (obviously at the expense of my sanity). I hope when they grow up they appreciate all we do to give them these beautiful lives!
well that is so awesome about your kid (it's obviously all bc of you!) I often struggle with knowing how much to bitch and moan about this stuff because obvi the kids didn't make me do it but I don't want them to assume (like I did) that this happens via magic or thanks to all my "free time"
Thank you. :) Her hard work, too, but I obviously helped her for two years with auditions before she booked this. But yeah for example I run a volunteer org that puts on many amazing events for parents and children in my town and my kids love it but also just assume that I know how to do it all, have time to, and it’s just something moms do. I have made friends doing it and enjoy it, while at the same time it’s a lot of work and I’m tired and don’t always want to deal with it all.
[YEARS ago] Joined the PTA for a month, all my ideas at the first meeting were shot down, did one pizza event, heard committee members were talking shit about me, sent the principal a polite email, quit, and never looked back. I already went to grade 8 once, I don't need to repeat it
This reminds me of when I realized all my dinosaur knowledge just...expired when my eldest lost interest and my other two never got fixated. At the LEGO store last week I yelled to him, "Check out this ankylosaurus key chain," and felt the old thrill of expertise!
(Otherwise I am careful to never volunteer for PTA positions b/c my friends have gotten sucked in and I just cannot devote myself!)
This was an amazing article. Man, moms are totally amazing. Also, my kid is in preschool and I've learned that I will be running for the hills when PTA comes calling lolsob.
WHAT?!?! You don't look back at the school board meetings with nostalgia? I thought you loved us!!!
I HATE party planning to the point that I somewhat begrudgingly had a small, stripped-down wedding (ceremony, brunch, and I was out.) Years later? I am the president of my school's parent association, planning parties.
you know what drove me NUTS was how <redacted names> made it seem like such a stupid priority to utilize the CMS they were paying thousands of dollars for that could have easily made them lots of money in fundraising but no it was a better use of time for me to go get a $15 gift card from Dave's Rock Shop. Also loved hearing that <redacted> was going around telling everyone about the toxic parents at the school. Love you all, not the system.
For years and years I thought my mom "didn't work or do anything" until I became more of an adult and realized she does... literally everything. Managing my executive dad's life bc he can't do it himself (like we joke that if she died he would just waste away in dirty clothes bc he doesn't know how to go to the grocery store, cook or turn on the washing machine), managing my sister and my life and activities, running the PTA, sitting on MANY non-profit boards, volunteering... and all while being at my inept dad's beck-and-call. Looking back I am genuinely shocked by how much she did UNPAID and I feel so ashamed that I used to say "oh she's just a housewife." She's truly a renaissance woman who can plan a black tie gala to raise money for charity and then turn around and disassemble a toilet to fix a leaky pipe, all without breaking a sweat.
Omg this. I serve so many volunteer roles on behalf of my children. Recently my eldest got a gig on Broadway so now I’ve become an expert in how that all works (obviously at the expense of my sanity). I hope when they grow up they appreciate all we do to give them these beautiful lives!
well that is so awesome about your kid (it's obviously all bc of you!) I often struggle with knowing how much to bitch and moan about this stuff because obvi the kids didn't make me do it but I don't want them to assume (like I did) that this happens via magic or thanks to all my "free time"
Thank you. :) Her hard work, too, but I obviously helped her for two years with auditions before she booked this. But yeah for example I run a volunteer org that puts on many amazing events for parents and children in my town and my kids love it but also just assume that I know how to do it all, have time to, and it’s just something moms do. I have made friends doing it and enjoy it, while at the same time it’s a lot of work and I’m tired and don’t always want to deal with it all.
THIS IS SO REAL OH MY GOD
[YEARS ago] Joined the PTA for a month, all my ideas at the first meeting were shot down, did one pizza event, heard committee members were talking shit about me, sent the principal a polite email, quit, and never looked back. I already went to grade 8 once, I don't need to repeat it
Good, I'm glad you knew when to walk away.
gahhhh, this is triggering.
I related to all this so hard, as a mom with a full-time job who is also president of her kid's PTA WHY.
Oh and now on my to-do list: "Put PTA on my resume."
You do it for the nookie
Welp. I’m VP of the soccer board, coach my daughter’s soccer team, and now I’m running for board of Ed, so I feel all of this.
Salute to you for going for it and being the change re: the board
Oh and Claire, I read this via the substack app so idk how to get the paywalled episodes of the pod! I enjoy it a lot.
I will get you hooked up!
This reminds me of when I realized all my dinosaur knowledge just...expired when my eldest lost interest and my other two never got fixated. At the LEGO store last week I yelled to him, "Check out this ankylosaurus key chain," and felt the old thrill of expertise!
(Otherwise I am careful to never volunteer for PTA positions b/c my friends have gotten sucked in and I just cannot devote myself!)
I am mourning the dino days a little bit too. It was a short but intense period.
This was an amazing article. Man, moms are totally amazing. Also, my kid is in preschool and I've learned that I will be running for the hills when PTA comes calling lolsob.
Thank you Sri!!
WHAT?!?! You don't look back at the school board meetings with nostalgia? I thought you loved us!!!
I HATE party planning to the point that I somewhat begrudgingly had a small, stripped-down wedding (ceremony, brunch, and I was out.) Years later? I am the president of my school's parent association, planning parties.
you know what drove me NUTS was how <redacted names> made it seem like such a stupid priority to utilize the CMS they were paying thousands of dollars for that could have easily made them lots of money in fundraising but no it was a better use of time for me to go get a $15 gift card from Dave's Rock Shop. Also loved hearing that <redacted> was going around telling everyone about the toxic parents at the school. Love you all, not the system.
Understood.