Filling in the Gaps


Being a working mom can come with some guilt. Let's be honest, being a parent, in general, comes with guilt. Trying to be everything to everyone gets old really fast, not to mention it's impossible. When I chose to accept a full-time role over a year ago I knew there were compromises that would come. Pursuing a cause that I am passionate about and balancing it with parenting has been on my mind a lot. I am grateful to be with an organization that is supportive of this, and true to our mission of raising healthier generations recognizes the health benefits that a flexible schedule grants to our family.


There are many days though, that call for some extra help with childcare and it's on those days that the guilt creeps in. You know that guilt, the "I should be with my kids now" "Maybe I shouldn't work full-time" and on and on. Yesterday life gave me the sweetest reminder to embrace the village and remember that we are stronger together.

While I worked longer hours in the facility yesterday our fellas spent the afternoon with one of the many beautiful humans of our village. And they didn't just hang out - they baked one hundred cookies to hand out to people. The boys were part of the baking, they rolled the dough and helped pack them up to bring back to Vivo (where I work) and hand them out to people.

It was a pretty simple act, but to me, it meant so much. As I've written about we are working to raise generous, kind, and empathetic humans. Boys who will grow to be sensitive men, men that think about others, do without expecting anything in return and care for their community. When I am working longer hours this is often where the guilt comes from. I often see the time spent working replacing the time we may have spent baking for neighbours, or committing some act of kindness. It's hard to feel that way and I am certain I am not alone. But yesterday my heart just about burst with joy when I learned about what the boys had done all afternoon - and it wasn't just kind for others - the boys were so excited about what they had done and the joy they had brought to people with their sweet little cookies.
Yesterday was the greatest reminder of the strength of the village, the strength of being better together. That parents alone can't do it all and that there are so many amazing people out there, ready to role-model kindness, love, and empathy.
To everyone in our village, thank you. We couldn't do what we do without you. From giving them stickers, letting the boys doodle on your whiteboard while I wrap-up my day or caring for the boys all day long - you are contributing to raising our fellas, raising kind, empathetic, healthier generations.
And an extra thank you to everyone who practices a little extra patience when the boys sing really loudly in the office or run around the office or lick your windows while you are having a meeting.

- lovefrommaria

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