Charlie O'Brien blog: It's International Women’s Day so here's to all the 'mundane' mums
This week was International Women’s Day. So if your timeline was filled with loads of this - #IWD2017 – that was why!
One of the things that caught my eye was a speech made about motherhood by Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney in a Commons debate.
She spoke about how we underplay the achievements of mothers and even shared an anecdote about how her challenging the Prime Minster that day was more remarked upon than getting his son to clean his teeth.
The whole speech was a breathe of fresh air in my opinion.
When I look at some of my life’s achievements –the things I would pick out are a first class degree, a postgraduate diploma and four years on a successful radio show.
I probably wouldn’t bother to tell you how yesterday I had a homemade dinner in the oven, the house clean and tidy and the toddler in bed by 7pm. But why wouldn’t I share this?
'It gets right on my nerves. Why don’t we celebrate the mundane more?'
Because it’s not deemed worthy, that’s why.
Even though very often – motherhood is the most challenging job we’ll ever do. The most challenging and the least celebrated.
To be honest it gets right on my nerves. Why don’t we celebrate the mundane more?
So here goes - a list of things I’ve achieved this week that probably no one else will see as anything spectacular!
I encouraged/bribed my son to let me clean his teeth with an electric toothbrush. Seriously the recent tooth brushing dramas have been waaaaay more stressful than any degree I ever did.
Noah unwittingly ate kale and broccoli three nights in a row – major mum win.
I made a homemade pie with a toddler hanging onto my leg.
Twice this week I managed to go to the loo – alone.
Our bed was only invaded once at 5am this week.
I taught Noah to say 'pretty' and 'cheeks'. Not together.
The laundry basket is only half full. Or empty – depending on your take on life.
We’ve only watched Frozen five times and trust me, that’s good.
I got my hair AND nails done. Alone time wins.
I bagged up a load of Noah’s outgrown clothes. Granted the bag is still on the floor of his room but it’s the effort that counts, right?
I’ve also achieved loads work wise this week which would look way more impressive on paper. But I am just as proud of my 'mundane' mum achievements as them.
Let’s shout about it more.
What things have you achieved this week that would probably be considered mundane or routine?
Charlie X
