Supermom

I was never really into superheroes as a kid. I guess I liked Superman alright, but something about a bat-man and a spider-man just didn’t peak my interest. I came along after the days of the real comic book heroes, so all I knew of them growing up was whatever was still being printed in the Sunday paper, or whatever had been adapted for the silver screen.

It wasn’t until I had kids that I realized how far off those super heroes of the past (and present) really are. Sure, they can reverse time, sleep upside down in a cave and shoot webs out of their wrists. But can they raise kids? This is the kind of super hero I’m interested in.

The kind of heroine who cooks supper, sews a prom dress and gives the baby a bath all at the same time. The kind of superwoman who never runs out of milk and eggs, remembers to send birthday cards to all four of her best friend’s children, and takes hand rolled cannoli to the homeless-all in her spare time. Yes, Supermom, as I would call her, could do all of these things and more.

This Superwoman of motherhood brings to mind a good humored, but all so true email I received from a fellow Supermom friend of mine. I’m sure any mother (or father) can attest to its accuracy.

“Why I love mom”
Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, “I’m tired, and it’s getting late. I think I’ll go to bed”.

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day’s lunch, rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning. She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer. She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk, wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a textbook out from hiding under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with three-in-one cleanser, put on her night solution and age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out, “I thought you were going to bed?”

“I’m on my way,” she said.

She put some water into the dog’s dish, and then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on.

She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TVs , hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up, still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm, laid out clothing for the next day, and straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her six most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular, “I’m going to bed”.

And he did.~

Now that I’m a mother, I could sure use a little help from this Supermom. Leaping tall (Lego) buildings in a single bound would be kind of nice. And mom-handling my two little villains when they get out of line would certainly be easier if I was made of steel. Of course I’m sure my boys would manage to dig up a lifetime supply of kryptonite buried in the bushes in Grandmother’s yard. Oh well, a mother can always dream.

And that’s All in a day’s work!