There’s a someecard making the rounds right now that I totally relate to.
And — to be clear — it’s not because I’m one of those moms. I only wish. But I know many of those moms. Except the ones I think of aren’t the supermoms. (Well, some of them are.)
When you struggle with motherhood, as I do, moms who can do things I can’t or am just no good at are my heros. I see them and think I wish I could be like that. I wonder How does she do it? I ask myself Doesn’t she find this hard like I do? (And then of course there’s What’s wrong with me? But let’s not go there.)
I know many of these moms.
She’s the mom who gets up before her children to shower and have time to herself before the busy loudness of kids starts.
She’s the mom who cooks from scratch and makes healthy lunches and doesn’t seem to accumulate mounds of uneaten leftovers.
She’s the mom who looks after someone else’s child and isn’t fazed by the extra little body underfoot.
She’s the mom who stays home with her kids and finds ways to connect with other moms to keep her sense of community (and sanity).
She’s the mom who works full time and juggles the demands of two kids under four.
She’s the mom who does crafts and doesn’t seem to mind the mess.
She’s the single mom, or the one who does most of it on her own because her husband works out of town a lot.
She’s the mom who takes pictures of her kids and writes beautifully about their antics, giving them all something to remember when these moments seem far away and long ago.
Each one of these is based on a specific mom I’m lucky to know. They are not celebrity moms with help. They are not moms with nannies. They are real moms, most with kids who aren’t even school-age yet, who just get it done.
But they’re not the only moms who I think deserve a mom of the year award. Also deserving are the moms who make motherhood real in its imperfection.
The moms who expect too much of themselves, when no mom can possibly do it all.
The moms who admit that it’s hard.
The moms who go out for a girls’ night because they need it to stay sane and they know it.
The moms who work hard to give their children something they didn’t have.
The moms with special needs children who didn’t sign up for this life but love it anyway.
The moms who ask for help.
The moms who have lost children and work tirelessly to ensure others don’t have to suffer the same fate.
The moms who make hard, even controversial, decisions because they know that happy mom=happy baby isn’t just an expression.
The moms who cry at night because they’ve lost themselves and no one told them that would happen.
I know these moms, too.
So yes, I’m in awe of what some people manage to accomplish. I’m in awe of their patience, whether granted by nature or nurtured because, dammit, they need it. I’m in awe of those who let the light of their children shine upon them instead of turning to face the darkness.
But I don’t get to decide who gets to be mom of the year. Someone else does, though, and in the process all those moms — the tired moms, the balancing-act moms and the supermoms — get to be recognized.
And this is where you come in.
This year Walmart is launching the Mom of the Year Award to help celebrate and recognize the huge contribution moms make as role models and integral members of the family and community. This award will become an annual program to celebrate all that Mom does and shine a light on what is important to her.
Nominations will be accepted through July 8, 2012 and can be submitted through www.momoftheyear.ca. They can come from daughters, sons, family members, friends, colleagues or community members.
Eight finalists will be selected and notified in mid-August and will be treated to an award celebration weekend in September. The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $10,000 for personal use and $100,000 to their cause or charity of choice. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $10,000 for personal use and $10,000 to their cause or charity of choice. Can you imagine the impact you could have on your favourite charity with that much money?
This awards program is for Canadian moms (and I know many of my non-Canadian readers do know some incredible Canadian moms). If you do know one, please consider honouring her with a nomination. Because truly, this is one award where it really is an honour just to be nominated.
Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit www.momoftheyear.ca.
