This morning, one of us here at All Mom Does was at the airport ready to get on a plane for a family vacation when her little one complained of a stomach ache. She was literally doubled over in pain. Her mom asked the rest of us to pray because she had no clear picture of what to do. Should they get on the plane? Was her child really ill? Or, was she merely excited and nervous about the trip?
As the day progressed (and I continued to pray and worry) it hit me that these decisions are what make motherhood so hard. For, if we make the wrong choice, the results can sometimes be catastrophic.
I once had an instructor who said that she never made decisions immediately. If anyone ever tried to force her into a quick decision she would reply, “I’ll have to get back to you on that.” I remember thinking she was so wise.
But, she had no children. Because, we moms? We have hundreds of decisions to make every single day and often we don’t have the luxury of taking our time to make them (can you imagine saying to your baby or toddler: “I’ll have to get back to you on that”?).
Add to that the fact that every decision we make has the possibility of affecting our kids in lasting ways, and that, Mamas, equals stress.
You know the action movies where the hero finds a bomb and has to decide whether to cut the blue wire or the red one while the timer ticks down the seconds remaining? Try doing that hundreds of times a day, you wimps! Moms are the ultimate action heroes in my humble opinion. We defuse so many bombs, we couldn’t begin to count them.
Some decisions are easier to make than others, of course. But, how many parents wish they could turn back time and change the decisions they’ve made that affected their kids in negative ways.
So, the next time you’re feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, just remember how awesome you really are. Besides all the physical, overt things you do for your families (meals, laundry, etc.) you are loaded down with the unseen stress of the countless decisions you make each day.
Oh, and I am very happy to report that Kristina’s daughter rallied and the whole family is enjoying a wonderful family vacation. One good decision made, Mom (and thank you, God, for answered prayers).
