Ann Giovanetti Plunkett

To the editor,

Someone called me recently and asked me what I was doing now. I found I was again filled with the need to shout I am a Mother first and foremost and that is what I am doing.

I have been Mothering for the past 25 years and I will continues to do it until my finale child has left the nest and he is beginning the journey of his life.

Let me tell you what I do. I am the first to rise most mornings I warm the house, put the kettle on, and gently raise the children.

I make breakfast, sometimes lunches, if I haven’t attended to that before I went to bed.

I try to give my children peace and calm before they head out into their day.

After they have gone, I do the dishes, pick up the house, make beds, feed the dog, and the cat, and fix some breakfast for myself. (This is the easy stuff)

While I eating my breakfast I make a list of all the things everyone needs from me today.

Grocery’s, appointments, bills if someone doesn’t sit down and pay them and keep them organized all hell would break loose.

Its now time for me to get ready for work or chores.

Dog walked, store, phone calls, laundry, maintenance, sort thru the mail, etc.

If I have to go off to work I put all or most of those things out of mind or I might go mad. Sometimes I might be able to make a short phone call at work, but that is about it.

If I go to work I arrive home before dinner time usually feeling pretty tired and think about what we can have for dinner that will be healthy and easy.

If I have stayed home and done things at home I feel tired also, yet unproductive because inevitably someone will ask me what I did today and because I vacuumed, dusted, and did laundry it will sound like nothing.

I try to only work part-time so I can be home as much as possible but our society doesn’t support this economically or value this contribution much any more.

Evenings, dinner, dishes, dog, cat, homework, lunches, preparations for the next day, all this with the struggle of parenting and the emotions and behaviors of different stages of development.

I think I am tired now are you. So ask me again what I am doing now.

And next time you see a Mom or head of household tell them you understand, and tell them what they do is really something special.

Ann Giovanetti Plunkett

Laconia