The Super-Mom Syndrome

Ever find yourself saying something to your kids like, “I may look like super-mom, but I’m not.”

I’m guilty, especially during those moments when one child asks me for a snack, at the very time I’m cleaning up the spilled milk of another, while one daughter is telling me about her day, and another child is calling me from upstairs.

I stop, and yes, somewhat sarcastically remark, “Hey guys, slow down. You might think I have ten arms and ten legs, but I don’t.”

Lately, I’ve noticed some of my friends putting me in the category of super-mom too. A couple months ago, my daughters were invited to a St. Patrick’s Day cookie-making party at a friend’s house. The mom, a sweet friend of mine, had decorated with streamers, a green table cloth, and cute stickers. She had homemade dough, cookie cutters, frosting, and fancy decorations of every variety. It was little girl heaven.

When I arrived at pick-up time, my friend introduced me to another mom. “And this is Jody. She has five kids, homeschools, and she writes books. I don’t know how she manages to do it all. She’s super-mom.”

Of course I mumbled something like, “Oh, thanks. But I’m not really super-mom. Not in the least.”

But as I walked out the door and thanked her, I said, “You’re amazing. I couldn’t possibly have done all that you did today—with the cookies and decorations and big mess all over the kitchen.” In my mind, at that moment, she was the epitome of super-mom. She’d accomplished something effortlessly that I would’ve had a very hard time doing.

The incident made me think of other friends and their maternal super powers. One friend can organize care packages for shut-ins and oversea soldiers like she was born doing it. Another can grow a garden and preserve her produce better than the early pioneers. And still another involves herself in her children’s theater productions and enjoys all the hours and hours of practice.

When I really stop to think about all my friends, I realize each of them is a super-mom in their own unique way. We all have unique gifts and abilities. Each of us puts forth incredible amounts of effort and dedication to our talents.

As a writing mother, I’m simply using my talent and passion for my writing in a similar way other moms put their hearts into their activities and ministries. What makes us all super, is that we’re striving to use our gifts the best we possibly can.

Yes, there are challenges unique to the writing life. For most of us, writing is an unpaid or underpaid part time job that we try to squeeze around everything else. We have high hopes for publication and our writing is certainly much more than a mere hobby.

But am I super-mom because I’m pursuing my particular passion while I’m juggling all my other roles? I don’t think so. Not more than any other parent who’s chasing after his or her dreams.

So, next time one of my friends calls me super-mom, I’ll make sure to remind them that they are too. And next time my kids decide they ALL need me at exactly the same moment, I’ll remind them that I AM indeed super-mom, but that they can have super powers too!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you Super-Moms.

Has anyone ever called you Super-Mom? Who are some of the Super-Moms in your life? Please share! I love when we can find quiet confidence in our own talents while rejoicing in the strengths of others.