How much is your Mama worth?

Today's entry...a copy of the stuff I wrote in the friendster one...

This is written in response to the newspaper article in the ST yesterday , "Mum, you could be paid $23K a month." In the spirit of Mother's Day, the paper decided to ask a HR expert the economic worth of a person called Mother.

Wow...A stay-home mother is worth $23K per month? (and that does not include bonus and PB?) Well, theoretically, this is true. But that is the higher end of the estimate. A more realistic figure would be around $8.5K monthly. But still...that is still a lot more than what I currently earn...(yaya...it's not that much no matter what you think)

The women ST interviewed were basically amused by this piece of info. "Not all mothers cook or teach their children daily.."..Sad but true. Yet all conceded that you cannot tag a price to the things a mother does.

As I read that, I am reminded of an incident that happened lately between my kids and I, and my actions, I must add, was motivated by a song I love and remember while I was growing up.

Sometimes, I do not have loose change in my wallet. (Ya...the days of electronic payment...and e-bay do not necessitate the carrying around of cash). So I 'borrow' from my kids when the need arises...And the kids too, to teach them the value of money, have been 'working' on special chores to earn some extra pocket money for their little luxuries they want. Unfortunately, I am a 'bad employer', and tend to accumulate some IOUs recently.

So one, who wanted to purchase something, approached me with an invoice. "Here Mama...I think you owe me this."

Here are the items:

1. Sharpino's Pizza treat :$50.00

2. Ironing @$10 per hr :$30.00

3. Newspaper money :$80.00

4. Special Errands :$30.00

5. Ben & Jerry's :$20.35

Total :$160.35

I knew that he was earnest. The money was needed as he wanted to go out with his friends. But I couldn't resist teasing him. I looked at the slip of paper, and the words of the song came flooding through my mind.

So I took the paper...and wrote these down.

Invoice for Z:

1. 9 months of carrying you(I cannot see my toes) : $ FOC

2. Nights I stayed up when you were sick : $ FOC

3. Your food, your toys, your clothes... : $ FOC

4. Hours of raising you :$ FOC

5. Special consultation & advice : $ FOC

Total cost of being your mother who loves you : No charge.

I placed this slip of paper, together with the money I owed him. I just wanted to see his reactions when he read that.

Just any other teen, he grabbed hold of the money, and left in a hurry. I left it as that. But later came this sms.

This was was it said.

"I am really broke, and have used the money I thought you owed me . But I read your note after I had fun with my friends.. But here is something for you. For all future bills...PAID IN FULL."

Hehehe...my heart is gratified. Of course if I borrow from him, I will return in kind. But this little thoughtfulness on his part, I love even more.


So let me remind you that you cannot really put a dollar value on love...whether is it a mother's , father's , or even a child. It is not about dollars and cents, it is not something that you give, and expect something in return.

To those of you who are really lucky to have such loving mothers, cherish them...not just on Mother's Day...it should be all the time. They may not be the easiest people to please at times, they may not be 'understanding all the time', but the fact that they gave birth to you should already be enough for you to remember not to hurt her..with your actions..with your unintentional words.

Thank you , God, for I am blessed. Keep my mum in good health always and let her be my inspiration.And in the same light, give me the courage, and wisdom, to be 'ibu mithali' to my loved ones, and those whom I have learnt to call my own.

Make each and every day, a mother's day.

{Sorry if I sound so mushy & soppy - a sentimental soul at heart lah)