After spending 15 busy years as a working mom, I took a year-long leave and became a stay-at-home mom for a while. I took charge of household chores and realized the work never ends. Still, it was fulfilling and rewarding because it was all for my family.
For the first time, I personally prepared and served my kids three warm meals a day. On rainy days, I picked them up at school with umbrellas. During winter break, I took them to a ski camp where they took ski lessons. To have some alone time, I attended classes at the cultural center and learned to swim for the first time in my life.
Seeing my daughter, who has grown up and entered middle school, I feel proud, grateful, and a bit sorry. I was always too tired or couldn’t be bothered, and I used work as an excuse. I want to use this chance to ensure that my kids remember me as the mom who cooked warm meals and made our home feel comforting. I’ll spend the remaining time trying even harder.
fulfilling - making you feel happy and satisfied
can't be bothered - you are too lazy or tired to do it:
use as an excuse - to give a false reason to explain why something was done or not done, or to avoid doing something
워킹맘으로 15년을 바쁘게 보낸 후, 나는 1년간 휴직하고 잠시 전업맘이 되었다. 집안일을 도맡아 하면서 일이 끝이 없다는 것을 깨달았다. 그래도 가족을 위한 일이었기 때문에 보람차고 뿌듯했다.
처음으로 아이들에게 하루에 세끼를 따뜻하게 차려주었다. 비 오는 날에는 우산을 들고 아이들을 학교에 데리러 갔다. 겨울방학에는 아이들을 스키 캠프에 데려가 강습을 받게 했다. 혼자만의 시간을 갖기 위해 문화센터에서 수업을 들으며 난생처음 수영을 배웠다.
어느새 훌쩍 자라 중학교에 입학한 딸을 보니 정말 대견하고 고맙고 미안한 마음이 든다. 항상 너무 피곤하거나 귀찮아서 일을 핑계로 미뤄왔었다. 이번 기회에 아이들에게 따뜻한 밥을 해 주고 포근한 집을 만들어 준 엄마로 기억될 수 있도록 남은 시간 동안 더 열심히 노력할 것이다.
- I took a year-long leave because of my health. / He took a year-long leave to look after his kids.
- It’s a blessing to have three warm meals a day. / I eat three warm meals a day at my job.
- I asked him to do the dishes, but he couldn’t be bothered. / I can’t be bothered to shave on weekend.
A: You’ve taken a year-long leave, right?/
B: Yes, I’ll be returning to work this April.
A: Already?
B: The year flew by while I was busy taking care of the kids as a stay-at-home mom.
A: Still, you must have enjoyed spending time with them.
B: Yes, of course. I had always felt guilty about not spending enough time with them.
