Imagine giving birth to 10 children. Being pregnant 10 times. Changing 51,100 diapers. Wiping off countless skinned knees and living 80 vibrant years to tell the story of motherhood.
My mother turns 80 this month. She had most of her children during the Mad Men era, when kids were playing astronaut by putting plastic bags over their heads and the idea of car seats was unknown. Somehow all 10 of us made it to adulthood, so she and my father must have done something right.
What does a mother of 58 years have to say about being a mother? I asked her a few questions to reveal the secret to her success.
What’s on your top 10 List of Baby Gear Essentials?
- Pacifier
- Wet baby washcloth
- Diapers*
- Plastic bag {for wet diaper away from home}
- Emergency bottle {even if nursing}
- Small baby blanket
- Baby toys
- Stroller
- Infant seat {converting to car seat}
- Baby lotion
*My mom used cloth diapers for all of us kids. Disposable diapers were quite a novelty in 1974 when I was born.
Notice there is no baby monitor, bottle warmer, or grocery cart padding. Just simple necessities.
What do you do when the kids are driving you berserk?
She replied, “I probably hollered at them.”
I love the honesty. We all do it. And we regroup and apologize for losing our cool.
What is your best piece of advice for today’s moms?
“Please quit spoiling children! Let them fall down so they learn how to get up and stand on their own two feet.”
I interpret that to mean, let your children make mistakes. Stop shuffling them around and let them be.
Did you ever want to work outside the home?
“Working away from home crossed my mind when tending to an infant while worrying about a teenager. Ah, to leave this and pay someone else to handle the hassle!!”
What do you think an appropriate salary for a stay at home mom would be {in today’s money}?
“$60,000 for all the jobs she has to do.”
{NOTE: Salary.com estimates that it would cost $118, 000 to replace the duties of a stay at home mom in 2014.}
What is your secret to staying young and healthy?
“Keep moving. Have friends that are younger than you. And enjoy life.”
My mom gave birth to the first 4 kids in Charlotte, NC, far from family in the Midwest. During that time, my father traveled 5 days a week as a salesman. They later relocated to Indianapolis, where my father started his own business, and my mother became the best supporting entrepreneur and went on to have 6 more children. The courageousness of their actions blows my mind.
Congratulations Mom on a successful and vibrant 80 years!
