So tonight as I cut my eldest, Oliver’s hair (he’s currently barber-phobic) I realised that as parents we seem to appropriate many, MANY roles or jobs from wannabee Nicky Clarke’s (more like Edward Scissorhands in my case, although Oliver’s locks are still long enough to pass for an American kid in a Gap advert-phew) to full time therapists to our kids and more…
You see pre-children, as an ‘un-parent’ I never imagined for a minute the multiple jobs parenthood would mean for me-did you?
Here’s a little list of who I am most days:
Juggler/Magician
Freelancer, own boss (of my business, this blog and family life pretty much) I’m constantly spinning plates and breaking lots as I go but I live for the days when everything somehow magically works and balance is achieved or as near to it as possible…
The Entertainer
Clown, singer, lead actress in my very own Off (very off) Broadway production (usually in the lounge, teddy and friends in the cheap seats at the back, under 4’s, my captive audience) as we sing (I lead of course), dance and usually scare the neighbours with renditions of Happy and Let it Go on repeat.
Hearing my 19 month old sing Let it Go has to be the sweetest, funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Even better than watching cute kittens on Youtube. I immediately want to sign him up for Britain’s Got Talent and let Simon Cowell make him a child star so he can actually go ‘On Broadway’. Then I remember he’s not yet 2 and put Cbeebies back on…
That singing though is no doubt the best reason to procreate ever. Make kids, laugh lots.
Side note: you also get to ride on roundabouts and take cool pictures…
The Athlete
Thanks to the kids I created, I now feel flipping awesome at football, tennis, yoga, swimming, rounders and snakes and ladders. They tell me daily how great I am at all of the above. “You’re amazing Mama”. I probably suck at at least 5 out of the 6 so please regard their praise (well trained) and the term ‘athlete’ loosely.
It must be said though, Alexander is SERIOUSLY, SCARILY amazing at football-so much so people actually stop us in the park and ask to take pictures of him kicking a ball. I always decline of course. Alexander is mine and mine alone to exploit on this here blog and on Youtube when I’m ready for his football clip to go viral…Because who knows, one day my son might play for England.Hashtag tigermum.
The Teacher
I do actually lecture at unis quite regularly in film and TV and I taught English GCSE once upon a time so teaching comes naturally to me but we all teach our kids don’t we, every single day from manners and bedtime stories to appreciating life (how to smell the flowers, paint and even jump in muddy puddles). OK Peppa Pig taught them that flipping one but we teach those kids non stop, often without even realising it!
They follow our lead, our every move and teach us too, how to be more patient, giving, selfless and some days how all we need is a large glass of vino or three to recover from the awful day and incessant muddy puddle jumping and back to back episodes of flipping Peppa Pig.
And now for the serious bits as parenting isn’t all fun and games…
The Councillor
Always present to LOVE, support and listen, we’ll be there for our kids as they grow, discover what heartache means and help them on their way….
The Head Chef
Creating feasts for the fussiest of customers, even Marco Pierre White would be proud and sometimes when they refuse to eat, I strop like he does!
The Cleaner
Admittedly not my favourite job of all, and I’m lucky that I have a cleaner who also likes to iron (love her) yet I find a crazy amount of my time is still spent cleaning, washing, mopping and tidying Groundhog style each and every day. Urgh!
And now for the serious bit as having kids isn’t just days in the park (if only)…
Doctors and Nurses
I think we have to often take charge and become our own doctors don’t we…go with our gut, push to get our kids seen be it an emergency doctor or A and E when we believe things aren’t quite right…we know our kids and ourselves better than anyone else white coat or not and so far I’ve never got it wrong when rushing to A and E or not accepting first diagnoses with my kids. Always trust your instinct people…
So there you have it the roles we play as parents…and I’m sure there’s more to come… part time taxi-driver for one, for now pre school and birthday party runs are the nom so I can’t imagine how it’ll be when teenagedom strikes and Alexander’s pre-England training begins ;)…
So have I missed any out, which roles do you play too?
Photograph by Kirsty Mattsson Photography
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I can’t believe I missed this first time around – thanks for mentioning it to me – love this more comprehensive view of the roles that we all play. I popped up my short n sweet, light hearted post last night as I reached for the wine bottle – if I’d read this before I wouldn’t have bothered and just directed people over here! x
Michelle at Bod for tea recently posted…The roles a Mother plays
Oh don’t be silly chick, we all cover so much of the same ground as our experiences overlap being parents but it’s our voices which make it unique-will be reaching for wine tonight x
I don’t think you’ve left anything out, except now my children are older I feel like a full time taxi driver that councils on route, the multitasking never ends!
Now as a Mum of two teenagers I have no idea what I did with all my time before children or did I just sleep more? Probably!
Debbie recently posted…Finally, We Have An Official Diagnosis For Our Son…
Ha yes Debbie, mentioned at the end that was bound to happen too! You probably slept A LOT MORE! Ha!
i just logged in to suggest you’d missed out chauffeur!! Debbie, you beat me to it! you could add “personal shopper” too 😉
Hahah!
I LOVE all the comments! All the additions …There truly is NO END and NO LIMIT to the roles we step up into… I’m challenged by some of the ones I need to step out of!! The dominating boss – Yes, it happens! 😉
Steph @MisplacedBrit recently posted…Rescuing Roses from Tiny Green Looper Caterpillars
That is true x
i bet sometime you also wonder where all this energy and imagination comes from. I remember when my nephew was small i used to play fotoball, rugby with him, ran around i thought i was never able or be active to do all this
Ha I’ve always had crazy energy levels and imagination like my Dad but yes kids make you realise quite how much x
Really love this post, being a parent is so many different roles all rolled into one it’s untrue. But they are so worth it when you get to be a big kid with them and take awesome photos like the one above! Another great post Vicki xx
Franki | Little Luca & Me recently posted…Living Arrows – Snail riding
Thanks hun, love being a parent and being so many things to my kids xx
How about nose-wiper, diplomat, style advisor, organiser and taxi driver? The other day I was holding my baby girl while playing tennis in the garden and taking part in an obstacle course for my son! Mad multi tasking. Love your blog xx
Rainbeaubelle recently posted…Father’s Day and #7daysofreality
Oh wow, now that is impressive! Thanks so much for linking up and your lovely comment x
I’d also add The Font of All Knowledge. Even though my eldest has already learned how to use Google perfectly well, he still expects me to know everything. “Daddy, what is this? How? Why?” I dread the day when he realises that when his father wanders out of the room stroking his chin and saying “Just let me think a minute” I’m actually just looking it up quickly on Wikipedia …
Tim recently posted…Every day is Father’s Day
Oh yes Tim, good one! That made me laugh out loud too!
This post is so fab!! So true. Also love that pic of you, really amazing shot! xx
PottyMouthedMummy recently posted…Surviving Business Travel
Thanks @PottyMouthedMummy shot makes me laugh x
Great post! There are so many roles I hadn’t even considered I would play before I became a Parent. At the moment, one of my main roles seems to be as referree between my two who’ve reached the bickering siblings stage, sighhh x
Shay Noble recently posted…Fork Flowers
Urgh mine are getting better but some days they are ridiculous! x
I hear you!! The Referee… Not my favorite role!
Steph @MisplacedBrit recently posted…Rescuing Roses from Tiny Green Looper Caterpillars
I really like this post. Being a stay-at-home Mum gets some bad rap but look at all the list of things I do each and everyday without a day off #BrilliantBlogPosts
Rebecca U recently posted…Heart of the Home
I hope you never feel bad about that, being at home is incredible, I will never understand why people would want to make women feel bad about whether they stay at home or work. Feel proud of everything you do because you’re amazing x
I feel like all I do is referee my 3 lately. And personal shopper–food, clothes, and toys personally chosen for these 3 demanding managers I have (why do I often feel like I’m the employee here?).
Oh yes Adria forgot about personal shopper and refee, fab ones x
I am a washerupper, knicker changer, taxi driver, constant cuddler, baby lover, super muma!!!
Aren’t we all?! Awesome picture on the roundabout- I want one too…
#BrilliantBlogPosts
Muma Leary recently posted…Why are women so weird?
Love that and it rhymes! x
Great read, as a non mummy i still get most of this being surrounded by friends all with children under the age of ten I get to be the aunty and do all the fun stuff!! It’s great to have time with children it just brings out the inner child in you and for that time all your cares and worries just drift away… People really should do the fun stuff more often for own sanity as well as time out with the kids 🙂 xx
So true Claire, enjoying the park as much as your kids should be the law! x
Loved this post. As a mother of 3 young daughters I’ve another one for your list. Peacemaker!
Ditto on that Karen, good one x
Love it, love it, love it! Gosh this made me chuckle and I was nodding furiously throughout.
And I would also add that unlike other jobs where you are shown / taught things, nobody teaches you how to be a parent or how to succeed at these many roles we take on as a mum or dad!
We just have to muddle on and do the best we can, even when we’ve had zero sleep, even when we’re ill. But…parenthood if we allow it, brings out the best in us and as you show so brilliantly in your pic, it enables us to unleash the child in us too 🙂
Wonderful post Vicki! You’re on fire with your blogging at the moment! *high fives*
x
P.S Just thought of one to add to your list – mentor. Essentially as parents we are the first mentors to our children. No pressure or anything 😉
Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…Lessons from Elsie: When life knocks you down, you gotta get right back up again
Thanks so much Katie, high fives you back! Wrote this late last night after the hair cutting (pretty proud with myself on the styling, might add hair stylist to my CV! Ha) You are so right, I wish there was a manual! x
You re so right! I spend most of my days acting like a clown and dancing with Baby x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Gratitude List #2
Fab isn’t it!
So true, and I’ve never sung and danced as much round the house as now with my 2 year old.
I love that your kids think you’re great at sports, my boy tells me “mummy, that was rubbish!” Thanks! x
Not A Frumpy Mum recently posted…She Watches
Ha that made me laugh, mine are well trained 😉 x
Very true lovely! Don’t forget chef too. Lucky kids 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
Mummytries recently posted…Finding time to work on my book
So true, went and updated my post, can’t believe I forgot that and cleaning x
This is fab, I’m a teacher as well as a mummy and I constantly feel my role at work is as varied as this! It’s amazing that we can do all of the jobs you listed and not be qualified or trained in any of them!! Learning as you go! I know I’ve just it on Instagran but I bloomin love that photo! Ali x
Parenting means lots of roles and on the job experience x
We certainly are all of those things and many more! I now have a great image of you singing in your lounge to an audience of teddies! Oh, and I’ll see you at training , fellow mummy of a football superstar in waiting! X
Mummy Says recently posted…To the man in the carpark…
Haha thanks @Mummy Says, see you there xx
Project Manager! You have to be a PM to keep track of all the other roles 🙂 Great post x
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Happy Birthday to a special son!
Oh yes, good one Sara, we rock x
Don’t forget artist and inventor an inventor who only uses toilet roll tubes and shoe boxes though.
Great post!
fashion-mommy recently posted…Reviewed – Zebra Print Dress from Tu at Sainsburys
h my gosh YES fashion-mummy! Blue Peter presenter in waiting x
Oh how could I forget those two! You are so right! Kirsty is a brilliant photographer and this was from a shoot we did recently! x
honestmum recently posted…The Roles We Play as Parents
This photo is amazing! You are such a big kid! You do have a great photographer at hand, lucky lady! Yep, you have covered it all… no, wait! You forgot cook and cleaner! x Mel
Mel recently posted…Baked Camembert
Thanks Mel, Kirsty is a fab photographer x