With all the discussion about the role of moms and motherhood in this year's political circus, maybe it's appropriate that a couple of admiring dads just say it: There is no harder job in the universe than being a caring, nurturing mother.
The Kansas “experiment”
Tom remembers only too well when his daughters were ages two and four, and he tried to fill mom's shoes. Let's be perfectly clear, (now we really do sound like politicians!) Tom is not looking for accolades. He walked into the job quite willingly, thinking that this would be a great opportunity to stay home and write while his wife slayed the dragons in the 8 to 5 jungle. It required moving the family from Ohio to Kansas. It meant selling one house and buying another. It necessitated living in a townhouse for a month in a new city surrounded by strangers and anonymity. And yet, Tom was pumped. He looked forward to a new life of independence away from the demands and irritants of traditional office life.
Two-year … sentence?
Tom's newly found independent life-his Walden Pond existence-would be a two-year run! Not to seem ungrateful for the opportunity to bond with his daughters, Tom confesses that there were some wonderful moments. But Kansas was a tough, exhausting, maddening, hair-pulling and incredibly eye-opening experience that led to self-discovery and a heap of humility.
No great American novel
It wasn't too long after settling into the new home that several realizations struck Tom between his dark-encircled eyes. He was not going to get much writing done. Food did not magically appear in the 'frig. The girls were much too young to cook their own meals. When the younger daughter yelled, “Dad, I'm done!” … it did not mean she was finished coloring and wanted to show him her work of art. Clothes got dirty barely out of the drawer, and the hamper filled up faster than the kitchen sink that finally spilled over because dad was busy collecting green beans off the carpet. (He also discovered pieces of hotdog under the table from two nights before.)
Ah, the life of a writer.
A grueling gift
Some things transcend politics and egos and posturing and competing for the gold. Being a mom is a gift beyond measure. But it's also grueling, lonely and often thankless work. Stay-at-home mom, working-outside-the-home mom, whatever, there's no way to thank her enough.
But thank her you must, through a gift, a word, or a gesture. This Mother's Day, reflect on all she means to your family.
Parting thoughts
Every husband should consider a stint as a Mr. Mom. The family finances may take a hit, but the return on time invested will make up for it. Second, parenting should be kept out of politics. And finally, the girls survived the two years in Kansas, Tom developed a bond he'd never before experienced, and he discovered a new sense of appreciation when he got back to the office! 
Contact Tom Tozer of Smithville and Bill Black of Murfreesboro, at tomandbill@goodfathernetwork.com