She Laughs at the Future

Charlene Bader on motherhood: you just have to laugh.

I ran a Catholic homeschool co-op with four kids under 6 while pregnant with #5.
"What an impossible job!" another mom said.
I laughed smartly.

I emailed in my letter of resignation at midnight while changing buckets during a family stomach bug.
"What a time to quit!" my boss said.
I laughed tiredly.

I made pizza with tomatoes and basil from our garden while teaching my children to make homemade crust.
"What a good dinner!" the kids said.
I laughed proudly.

I served five bags of extra-butter microwave popcorn to my children while letting them watch TV.
"What a good dinner!" the kids said.
I laughed gratefully. 

I brought five kids to Parent Night while pulling two preschoolers in a wagon with a toddler on my back.
"What a fun family!" the principal said.
I laughed appreciatively.

I brought five kids to an Author Celebration without realizing their heads were visibly crawling with lice.
"It happens! Don't worry about it!" the school nurse said.
I laughed self-consciously.

My child told his whole class about Jesus while reading his story at Show & Tell.
"What a good writer!" the teacher said.
I laughed agreeably.

My child told his whole class about how loudly I yell at home while reading his story at Show & Tell.
"What vivid description!" the teacher said.
I laughed awkwardly.

 My kid brought his Bible to read while waiting for a chair at the orthodontist.
"What a big book!" the assistant said.
I laughed reverently.

My kid brought Captain Underpants and The Attack of the Talking Toilets to read while waiting in line for Confession.
"What an … interesting book!" the secretary said.
I laughed sheepishly.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25)

How do you laugh your way through the challenges of motherhood? #catholicmom

Copyright 2020 Charlene Bader
Image: Candice Picard (2018), Unsplash