A Mommy Union

Labor Day has come and gone, and with it marks the passing of summer.  Gone are the carefree days of lounging in PJs for hours or a picnic dinner on the lawn of the town elementary school, mingling with friends, and watching kids dance and play while enjoying some great local music.  It’s been a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the school year.  But now, it’s time to get back to work.

While Labor Day pushes us to get back into bedtime routines and remember to stock up on school lunch supplies, we may need reminding of the true history of the holiday.  Labor Day is a day to honor and support our nation’s laborers, specifically commemorating the formation of labor unions in the late 1800s.  Labor unions were started in response to poor working conditions, such as long hours, low pay and a lack of job security.  Peter McGuire led this charge in New York City and throughout the cities of our nation in order to protect workers’ rights.  Today, over 16 million workers belong to a labor union.

For fun, let’s imagine for a moment, what life would be like if we moms formed a labor union of our own.  What rights would we demand?   Would it be possible to limit our work hours or create better working conditions?  Hmmmm….let’s see.  If I were in charge of the first Mommy Union, I’d write up these laws immediately, to protect our livelihood (and let’s face it, our sanity as well!)

1. The workday will not begin earlier than 7:00 a.m. during the week, or 9:00 a.m. on the weekends.
2. A break room must be provided for all workers.  The room shall be stocked with coffee, magazines and off limits to management or clientele  (In other words, children and partners).
3. Workers must be allowed at least two days off per workweek.
4. Workers must be provided a healthy and safe environment in which to work.  The work area will be inspected daily, and any detection of germs, bodily fluids or hazardous items of play (i.e. toys left on the floor) will be deemed a violation of workers’ rights.
5. Workers have the right to a regular salary review.  Workers may strike if not completely satisfied with negotions.  Specifically for the Mommy Union, the salary need not be monetary.  Rather, an increase in the number of please’s, thank you’s, smiles, hugs and kisses may be demanded.

Ahhhh….can you imagine how much easier this Mom gig would be with such rights?  I can see myself now, enjoying a Starbucks french roast and Real Simple magazine, and when a child runs to me whining and tattling on another, I’d hold up my hand, and simply utter “I’m on break.”

All kidding aside, I think we can learn a lesson from the formation of labor unions.  The unions were created when one man acted on behalf of his peers, and others joined his fight in support of him and one another.  It’s about community, really.   And the community acts as one large group to stand up for each person’s job satisfaction.

No matter how you define your profession, all moms are working moms, and we’d all be better off with a little more support from one another.   Patanjali had it right when he wrote the Yoga Sutras and defined ahimsa, the first of the yamas, as non-harming, non-violence, non-judgment.  Well-known Yoga instructor and author Judith Lasater, PhD., P.T., explains that ahimsa ”refers not only to physical violence, but also to the violence of words or thoughts. What we think about ourselves or others can be as powerful as any physical attempt to harm. To practice ahimsa is to be constantly vigilant, to observe ourselves in interaction with others and to notice our thoughts and intentions.”

In the spirit of Labor Day, the impact of labor unions on professional workers, and the undeniably difficult but wonderful demands of motherhood, let’s remember ahimsa by practicing non-judgment, lending a hand to another mother in need or simply smiling to one another at the playground or in line at the grocery store.  A simple smile or three simple words, “Can I help?” can go a very long way, especially to a mom on her own all day without another adult to talk to.

We are all part of one very special group, all working hard with a common goal: to raise happy, healthy and thoughtful children while living fulfilling lives.   Alone, it’s a very tough job.  With the support of millions of other moms doing the same job, day in and day out, we can work as one powerful Mommy Union.

The kids are asleep and my shift is over.  Tomorrow I’ll punch my time card again as little feet come running down the hall, marking the beginning of a new workday.  I just hope there’s a fresh pot of coffee in the break room to get me going for another day at the office.

Related posts:

1. Is it Fun Being a Mommy? One of the best parts about writing this blog is...
2. Race to the Top Motherhood brings many surprises.  It seems no matter how well...
3. Top Ten Reasons Why I’m Not a Perfect Mother Earlier this summer, someone close to me offered some words...
4. Honoring the Woman Within the Mom I have amazing friends.  I am so blessed to live...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.