To prevent my son from being murdered by his mom after he asked her “what do you do around here”

The Invisible Superhero: Understanding a Mother’s Role

It started with a simple question from my son to his mother: “What do you do around here?” The question wasn’t meant to hurt, but it revealed a common blindspot many of us have about the incredible role mothers play in our lives. Like many of life’s most important jobs, a mother’s work often goes unnoticed precisely because of how seamlessly she keeps everything running.

Imagine, for a moment, a job posting for the position of “Mom.” The requirements would be nothing short of superhuman: Must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No vacation days, no sick leave, and you’re always on call. The successful candidate must excel at crisis management, conflict resolution, and maintaining peace negotiations between warring siblings. Advanced degrees in culinary arts, home economics, psychology, and emergency medicine preferred but not required – you’ll learn on the job, ready or not.

The job responsibilities? They’re endless. A mother is the invisible force that transforms a house into a home. She’s the master chef who knows everyone’s favorite meals and food allergies by heart. She’s the logistics coordinator who ensures clean clothes appear magically in drawers and dirty socks don’t become permanent carpet fixtures. She’s the emotional support system who can detect when something’s wrong just by the tone of your voice.

But perhaps most remarkably, mothers are the ultimate selfless leaders. They’re the cheerleaders who push us to achieve our dreams while quietly stepping back to let us take all the credit. They celebrate our smallest victories as if they were Olympic gold medals and comfort us through our deepest disappointments. They’re the first to arrive and the last to leave, the ones who ensure everyone else’s needs are met before even considering their own.

When my son asked that question, it became clear that we often take for granted the intricate dance of dedication, love, and sacrifice that mothers perform daily. It’s the hardest job in the world precisely because it doesn’t look like a job at all. It’s a role that requires giving everything while expecting nothing in return, facing the most demanding audience (yes, that’s us), and doing it all with grace and unconditional love.

To all the mothers out there: Your work may sometimes feel invisible, but its impact is profound and eternal. You’re not just doing a job – you’re shaping the future, one small act of love at a time. And to my son, and anyone else who’s wondered what mom does: Look closer. The evidence of her work is everywhere, in every comfortable, caring detail of your daily life.