We aren’t so different you and I

Although I was halfway around the world, there were a lot of similarities between the SOS home and my own in Toronto.

The biggest difference between us was our children’s morning routines. Elizabeth’s’ children have more responsibility; they are in charge of sweeping their rooms, ironing and doing a load of laundry before they leave in the morning. However, once the children leave for school our routine was almost identical. She prepares dinner mid-morning so it’s ready for when the children come home, just as I do.  We also share the same cleaning schedule – except she has a whole different process for doing laundry.

One afternoon I took a walk with Elizabeth where I had the chance to ask her a few questions about being an SOS mother. It was interesting how many similarities there are between us as mothers. She explained the challenges that she faces as a mother which are essentially what I deal with in Canada. To handle the chaos, she has a routine.  The fun aspects of motherhood are similar too – reading with the kids before bed and helping them with their homework are areas both Elizabeth and I enjoy.

No matter what part of the world you are in, stress is inventible as a parent. I think moms everywhere have to patience, a sense of humor, and a method to release their stress. Elizabeth talked to me about gardening and jogging with the other SOS moms as a way to release stress.  I love to jog too do back – I have never gardened but now I am inspired to start!