My identity as woman often clashes with my other parts of self called Mom and Student. It is difficult for me to remember that there are many parts of my self that make me up as a whole. For instance, yesterday morning I was contemplating the role of feminism in our society for one of my classes. At the same time I was helping my son with his shoes and answering questions such as, “Mom, where are my books, is my lunch ready, etc. Even though it was early in the morning, the woman in me wanted to indulge in a piece of chocolate and watch my soap opera. The one talent I have as woman is multitasking. Do I think it’s learned behavior or part of inner strength that women have? All I know is that I’m good at it! Gotta go, my daughter’s bus will be here shortly and she’s still not dressed. I am Woman, Mom, Student hear me roar!!!
Multi-tasking skills come from necessity. Did we learn it from our mothers, watching them collect dishes for the sink on the way to put Downy in the rinse cycle all the while reminding us to do our homework? Or does it come when we are mothers ourselves, balancing work, school, husband, house, kids and sporting events? How did our lists get so long?
When the Mom is down, the whole house falls apart. I recently hurt my ankle, requiring my husband and daughter to pick up the slack. Can’t they tell (smell) that the litter box needs changing? The flower beds are full of weeds, and the potted plants all died from dehydration. My husband has no clean socks, the dust is thick, and there is nothing defrosted for dinner. And all I can do is “indulge in a piece of chocolate and watch my soap opera.” Recuperation is driving me nuts!
I think for women multitasking just comes naturally. We have a natural instint to organize our lives. While I’m not a mother myself I hope that I will be able to handle all the stresses that life throughs my way. Woman have so many responsiblities that being able to multitask is essential to function in everyday life.
Your comment proves all too true for many of us: right now, I’m blogging, listening to the weather, listening for the dryer, listening to the baby monitor and wondering when I’ll have time to be a student and work on the dreaded dissertation. Do any of you feel like you need an assistant?!
A housekeeper would be nice!
I think that women first learn to multitask from watching the influential women in their lives. I know that for me, this skill had to be developed over a period of time. As a matter of fact, I am still perfecting the art. Although my daughter is 17, I don’t know if the stresses have gotten better or worse. I think that they are just different. It is so true that when Mom is not feeling well, gone on business, etc. that the entire household falls apart. I have tried to look at this as “job security”.