The Toughest Job

There was once a military commercial that said "The toughest job you'll ever love."

I scoffed and laughed every time it was on.

Men crawled through mud under fences and I thought it was nothing compared to trying to giving a toddler a bath after getting him back from a chocohaulic auntie.

A drill sergeant screaming at you? Try a hungry infant, with a fever, at 3am the day you have to be up at 7 for a final exam. Or alternately, I would like to suggest facing down the freshly angered tween. This is a beast who will say anything to hurt you since you stopped them from playing a video game and texting in order to do the dreaded chores. Suddenly Sergeant Slaughter seems like a lick-happy puppy.

Live artillery training? How about negotiating a Lego minefield with the foot marring addition of Hot Wheels cars while attempting to dodge the projectile vomit in order to change baby's diaper before the inevitable diarrhea bout kicks in. Seriously, the idea of facing down a tank seems pleasant now, doesn't it?

I would love to take exception with the military for falsehood in advertising. It could never compare to motherhood, which I undertook as a single, college student. I know, not ideal but I have to say, I wouldn't change a thing.

I love being a mom. I HATE being a parent. Parents have to make tough decisions, they have to set rules and make the kids stick to them, they have to get up at 5am on Saturday to make sure their child is at wrestling practice by 6am. Parents have to make kids eat broccoli, do homework and go to bed in the middle of a favorite show.
It brings to mind the age old parental adage "This hurts me more than it hurts you."
I never would have thought it, but it's true! The day I figured it out I was floored.

Parenthood hurts more than being a child does.

My mothers heart breaks when my son hurts, but I pretend to be strong to help him heal.
My mothers heart shatters when he tries, and fails. I smile and encourage him to try again ignoring my own pain.
My mothers heart stops when we fight because I fear that he will forget how much I love him, no matter how often I say it. Still, I fight him anyway knowing that once he learns that homework really is important, he will be a better man for it.

Being a parent, a mother, is the toughest job anyone could ever love.