Note: This post was originally published in November 2013.
Did you know the phrase “supermom” actually has a definition in the Merriam-Webster dictionary?
su·per·mom
noun \ˈsü-pər-ˌmäm\
: a woman who raises a child and takes care of a home while also having a full-time job
Really?
While I guess the description above technically describes my life, there is absolutely no way I would ever consider myself a supermom.
For one thing, I’m pretty sure supermoms don’t exist, regardless of what Merriam-Webster says. Sometimes I think they’re real (especially when I start comparing myself to them, which happens more than I care to admit), but really … has anyone seen one? Met one? I haven’t.
And second? That phrase “supermom” (and that word “super”) implies that this is EASY, that balancing these different and often conflicting aspects of our lives (as defined above) is an innate and intuitive ability, like having superhuman strength.
And as any mom – regardless of whether she works inside or outside the home – will attest, it is not easy. Not in the least.
But you know what would make things a little easier? Real superpowers — like the kind you see in movies or are the plot lines of comic books.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be in two places at once? Or to use mind control to convince your kids to eat their vegetables? Or to have super speed, so that you can bake cupcakes for the school fundraiser, finish all the laundry and file those expense reports in the blink of an eye?
Now that would make me a supermom.
Here are the 10 superpowers I wish I had:
- Being in two places at once. This one is so obvious. The ability to be in the staff meeting and volunteer in your child’s classroom at the same time is every working mom’s dream.
- Teleport. Farewell, 50-minute work commute! Sayonara, 7-hour car rides to visit the family for Thanksgiving!
- Telepathy, or the ability to read minds. Imagine if you knew exactly what your toddler is thinking when she says, “Mghgh wjcm fkfk”?
- Fly. Honestly, not sure if this would help me at all (especially since I now have the power to teleport) but it would just be cool.
- Instantaneously heal … and not just myself, but also my kids. Just think: no more sick days!
- Telekinsesis, or the power to manipulate or move objects with your mind. Do you have a child who will only nap when laying on your chest, basically rendering you trapped and useless for two hours? And then 5 minutes into the nap you notice that the TV remote is across the room? Yep, then you know what I’m talking about with this one.
- Ability to control the weather. No more snow days or schlepping the kids out in torrential downpours.
- Night vision. Because I’m getting old.
- Invisibility. If they can’t see me, then I can go the bathroom by myself.
- Force field generation. So I could always protect my family. This one’s a no-brainer.
Okay, moms and dads, your turn: What superpowers would make your lives a bit easier?
Sharon Couto says
This is wonderful! The only thing I could possibly add as a Grandma of 10, soon-to-be 11, is to be in 11 places at the same time (soccer games, swim meets, dance recitals, theater productions, basketball, softball, baseball, T-ball, breakfast, lunch, dinner – I think you get the picture)! Now wouldn’t that be something… and I wonder where the REAL ME would be?!
Elizabeth Atalay says
I can’t believe that is in the dictionary! I would want to have the power to put bubbles around my kids like the daughter in The Incredibles! Great post!
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
This is great!! I would love to have all of these powers – especially the transporter, the invisibility, the telepathy and the forcefield!
Jennifer (Savor) says
To me, we are all supermoms and by that I mean, handling what is thrown at us as we can. Each day priorities shift and we tackle as many as we can to the best of our ability.
Jessica says
Absolutely!!!! What a great way to put it 😉
Kristen says
I would love to snap and healthy wholesome food would be made! For some reason figuring out meal planning and keeping track of who has to go where is a super power in and of itself!
Shell says
haha, too funny! Yes, being in two places at once would be great! Or having many arms and hands to do many things would be great too!
Chelley / AisForAdelaide says
You always make the best lists!! Love all those super powers!!
Stephanie Kay says
Love the idea of telekinesis! I totally need that because it never fails that just when I sit down to feed the baby the phone will ring.