Allison Belolan
One of the most unrecognized yet demanding aspects of my life as a parent is the seemingly endless chauffeuring to activities. I lose hours navigating traffic-choked streets, ferrying my children from point A to B to A again in a time-consuming, mind-numbing loop. Though I know this driving is essential for my kids' growth and development, the time spent behind the wheel goes largely unacknowledged as real labor.
As my children grow older and more independent, I'm increasingly prioritizing the parts of myself I set aside when I first became "mom". Pursuing my art practice, reading for pleasure, socializing with friends—these personal passions are vital to my overall wellbeing, not frivolous extras. Yet this necessary shift towards self-care seems to perplex and even anger my kids at times.
Their surprise at my burgeoning life outside the home reveals the pervasiveness of society's expectation that mothers exist solely to serve their families' needs. Breaking this unrealistic, unhealthy standard requires open dialogue about why I must have an identity beyond raising children. By asserting my own multi-dimensionality, I hope to model the importance of personal fulfillment and show my kids that a mother's visible and invisible work merits respect.
Chauffeuring children to activities (29 miles)
Mamaroneck, NY
