Happy Mother’s Day, Now Get Back to Work.

May 13

May 13 Happy Mother’s Day, Now Get Back to Work.

It’s amazing to write about a life in which we only shop, workout, and eat out. But its only one side of the Shoperone story. Our lives are real, with real responsibilities, (sadly) apart from shopping. We’re as real as it gets, sometimes too real.

Moms make it look easy.

Typically, by the time Sunday rolls around, the Shoperones are more exhausted than other days from a week of racing to various finish lines, attempting to ensure another week of family, home and work success. It’s likely every mother has kept, even subconsciously, a daily mental score-card of worthiness based on a perception of productivity triumph or failure. Whatever the yardstick, most often these are measured in micro-achievements, likely imperceptible to most. Everything from remembering to buy pencils or send in the check for the school thing, to the thing we said when the kid acted up that will scar him for life. And we haven’t even talked about the husbands here. It all hangs like a cloud, even if you’re one of those people who actually uses lists effectively.

All this, stacked up at the end of the day, can make the difference between a mom’s restful sleep or a carry-over of a seemingly endless to-do list. And Sunday is prime time for many to regroup and do those ‘extra’ tasks that hang in the wings all week. With spring arriving this means getting the “outside” ready for summer. If you’re a city dweller like we used to be, blessed be. You’re a lucky bunch and probably only need to wipe down the balcony chairs. Enjoy your daytime cocktails and deal gracefully with the Sunday-night hangover.

Bring on the weekend (chores).

Our top-five combined Shoperones chore list for the next week includes, but is not limited to:

Outside cleanup. For Laura this means sanding and staining the teak furniture, power washing her stone patio and I need to power wash the house and re-paint my deck.

Gardening, weeding and mulching, oh my. While it’s lovely to put things in the ground and help them live and grow, doing this on Saturday will ensure your manicure is shit by Sunday Brunch.

Animal caretaking. For Laura this includes cleaning guinea pig cages and poop scooping the yard after three dogs (I pay a guy, because, come on); and for me, a trip to the Petco dog washing station and the Vet for vaccines with a very uncooperative 100-pound mastiff.

Indoor cleanup. For me, maintenance of the HVAC system, changing the filter and vacuuming the air returns. Laura is prepping her house for a two-month long renovation project (future post alert!) and hosting a party for her father-in-law next weekend.

Teenager, tween and husband nurturing, ongoing. Two husbands are currently sick, one also with jet lag and displaying symptoms of narcolepsy by nodding out intermittently during the day; should bode well for Mother’s Day doting.

Working, for pay. Oh right, there’s also my other job. I’m a college professor with final grades due Monday.

Add to this list the myriad requisite daily tasks, small or large, planned or exigent in nature. Consider the standard list: laundry, cooking, cleaning (indoors), homework, shuttling, planning, finances, doctor’s visits, and for some, writing and managing a blog. It piles up and grows exponentially with each child. Your list may be humbling.

Preaching to the choir.

I share this sentiment to readers who, if you have children, understand the lists and the chores and the idea that Sunday is not always funday. But you also know why you do it, and likely, you’ve chosen this path because you couldn’t see yourself in a happy life without your family. Your clan, however it’s comprised, represents the beginning and end. They’re the fuel you need to be herculean in your seemingly endless supply of energy. And it’s not only for them. Their love and support are likely the secret ingredients for success in your own ventures as well.