Back in the early 90s I worked at a radio station selling advertising time. The job wasn’t for the faint of heart. Stressful? Off the charts. The billings goals we had to reach were always too high. Clients constantly wanted last minute changes to their ads. And if we didn’t bring in revenue, we didn’t eat. All of us were on 100% commission.
A few years after working there, two of the women salespeople asked if they could do a job share and the station agreed. They wanted to stay in the business world, but also wanted to give time to their kids during the week. So one of them worked Monday-Wednesday, and one of them worked Wednesday-Friday.
During those years, my wife stayed home with our two sons and we’d occasionally have, uh, debates about who had the harder job; her or me. One Wednesday morning I walked into the station’s coffee room and found the two job-share ladies getting their java fix, and had an idea. I figured I’d get a little ammo for the ongoing conversation with my wife.
“Can I ask you a question?” I said to them.
“Sure.”
“My kids are about the same age as your kids. With that in mind, I’m wondering which job is harder, selling radio, or raising your children.”
They both burst out laughing.
“Are you kidding? This job is cake compared to working at home.”
They must have seen the surprised look on my face because they followed up with, “Men
truly have no clue how hard it is to be a mom. I love coming to work here. Selling radio gives me a much needed break. This is a breeze compared to being a mom.”
“But we’re in the cutthroat business world, we have to negotiate …”
“Stop.” One of the ladies held up her hand. “Negotiating a business deal? Try negotiating with a smart seven year old day after day after day. And consider the fact you get to go home at the end of the day. I know, I know, you’re a dad when you get home and that’s not always easy. But a mom is a mom 24/7. We have radar that is constantly pinging. We develop Superman like hearing where we hear things in the middle of the night guys sleep right through.”
She went on, but you get the idea. And I got the idea; that my wife was Superwoman in so many ways I’d been blind to.
So moms, I want to apologize on behalf of men everywhere that still have scales on their eyes. To say you’re the unsung heroes is cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true.
No, not everyone will see the amazing job you do. In fact, most won’t ever understand—and that might include your husband. But please know that your Abba Father sees and celebrates you. And so do I.
Best-selling author James L. Rubart just released his newest book called ‘The Five Times I Met Myself.‘ Learn more about the book through his interview with Sarah Taylor here, or enter to win a copy for yourself!
