Whilst the nation’s mums scuttle around the shops buying teacher gifts to say thank you, I want to shout from the rooftops – WHAT ABOUT THE MUMS? Where is their thank you?
I am a parent to three. This last school year has been a huge challenge with one in secondary school, one in primary school and one in nursery. Three different drops each morning. Okay, my eldest gets the bus, but she still NEEDS a lift to the bus stop. She says it is something about there not being enough time and it being too far (which quite frankly is rubbish) but we have made ‘the lift’ a thing and so that is what happens every school morning – unless she misses the bus (doesn’t get up on time) and NEEDS a lift to school. God I already feel exhausted. Actually, that is a bit of a lie, I have just been to the gym and I feel alive and kicking today. I am listening to Kisstory on the radio as I type this and I am feeling on.it.
I believe that despite the swathes of things marketed at mums; self love stuff, spas, nice treats, we still don’t spoil ourselves enough or even recognise the importance of the job we are doing. I am not talking big expensive handbags here, this is about little treats that make you feel appreciated.
Getting to the end of a school year is massive. The packed lunches, emergency uniform washes, forgotten school library books, school emails, fights over homework, parent pay accounts, lost clothing, crazy shouty mornings, topping-up bus cards, the kid who doesn’t wanna go, school trips, kids coming home starving and fancy dress days we have to organise is huge, and it takes up a lot of time. If you are like me it can feel stressful at times and it is 100% intense all of the time. I have been doing nursery/school runs for 10-years now and I still find it challenging.
My children break up from school tomorrow. I have put the teacher gifts to the back of my mind for now, which doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the teachers – far from it! – but I feel like us mums need a massive congratulations and visible recognition for being absolute f**king superstars!
Two days ago I bought myself a end of school year gift. I chose a bracelet from BySaraChristie and it arrived this morning and I am so chuffed that I thought of myself in this way. It will always be a reminder that I did my best and got my kids where they needed to be, often with little to no thanks. Yes teachers work hard to help our kids in so many ways and I have admired and really liked most of the teachers my children have had over the years, but it is rare for a teacher to show their gratitude to the parents, isn’t it? It is similar to kids parties – the kids go to the party; eat drink dance whack people (Rocky at the weekend!) and then they get a goody bag for attending! Surely the parent deserves a little pack of Love Hearts and a plastic whistle for getting them there on time. Sadly this isn’t how it works. I think I will do this for my son’s 5th birthday in Jan actually – “thanks for coming, here is a couple of quid to buy yourself summink nice ;)”.
I am not saying I expect a fanfare from anyone regarding getting my kids through the year, far from it, I just feel that mums are one of the most unappreciated groups in society and it needs highlighting.
There will always be that group of people (usually on twitter) who offer the helpful advice of ‘what are you moaning about woman, you shouldn’t have had kids if you can’t cope’ usually from a man called Gary with a questionable profile picture. But it isn’t a moan Gary, it is me wanting people and the Mums themselves to acknowledge how well they are doing, because (despite what Gary thinks) it is hard bloody work.
A few personal thoughts for all of the end of year mums out there:
- Recognise that you’ve just done something massive
- If others forget to appreciate you and all that you do, you must do that for yourself instead
- Go and buy that thing you have wanted for ages (no excuses)
- If you have bought a bunch of teacher gifts – why not keep them for you?!
- You are not selfish for wanting (needing) a bit of “you’re amazing!”
- Show your appreciation for all of your mum-friends
- Invest in yourself
- Your kids will appreciate you one day
- If you don’t already exercise – start today!
- Enjoy the summer break
- Oh wait – there is no real break!
This the gift I bought for myself (pic below) because why the F not! I deserve it… and so do you!
The Queen bracelet (gold) By Sara Christie
Email me and tell me what you are going to treat yourself to: Lucy Baker email
Have a happy summer, Mums!
Lucy aka Geriatric Mum
