The Secret of Santa’s Helpers

There really needs to be more than one Mother’s Day a year.

Mothers the world over deserve some accolades and rest during this, the season of giving.

You see, without mothers there is little giving going on. We are the ones shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, party planning, photo book making, stocking stuffing, card writing, tree trimming, hall decking…all whilst managing the last few days of homework and projects, contributing to school parties, keeping eager holiday willies in check, and refereeing sibling spats.

I braved the mall last night with a hangry tween and whiny soon-to-be-tween in search of the perfect tie for a teacher whose signature is witty ties. Four stores later we struck gold, all while I heatedly convinced my son not to choose a Christmas tie. Then there are the teacher and staff gifts I made and packed in ever so cute boxes…my dog is apparently part beagle, part goat, and part gazelle. He leapt up onto the table and ravaged half the packages, leaving many staff members without a holiday gift this year. A handwritten note will have to do, which I wrote after cleaning up the mess of chocolate, caramel, and pecans from the carpet. Incidentally, I also cleaned up after the dog. I’ll spare you the details.

Let’s add cleaning, tidying, and preparing for guests to the list. Such tasks are a small dose of the sisyphean feats of moms everyday. Alas, it’s all exacerbated by the holidays.

This image making the rounds on Facebook sums it up.

We want to make the season magical for our children, for it’s these memories and traditions they will carry to their own families one day. As our children age we savor the sprinkles of magic that are slowing and inevitably evaporating. Mothers never put on the oxygen mask first. It’s how we’re wired as soon as we feel the baby’s first kick. Oh, this isn’t about martyrdom. Every mother I know enjoys choosing the perfect gift and adding a homemade, thoughtful touch to tokens for teachers. I’m not complaining and I recognize that the burden I assume is my own doing. I’m simply saying it’s no time to take mothers for granted. An extra tight hug, a nod of thanks, a mug of coffee (with time to drink it while it’s hot), would be simple, thoughtful gestures to let moms know they are appreciated.

So here’s the part where I divulge the big secret.

Santa’s little helpers are not elves after all. They are mothers.