I Want a Black-Belt in "Mommy"

My mom-friend announced on Facebook, that her 6 year-old son just got his yellow belt in Karate and I felt myself getting jealous.  I thought, "Why in the world should I be jealous of that?"  Am I jealous because I want my son to try martial arts, and he has absolutely no interest?  Maybe.  But as I thought about it more, I realized that what I was really jealous of was the system where-- as her son learned new skills and "mastered them," he could...
rise up the ranks and earn a swanky new colorful belt as a physical symbol of his accomplishments.  "Shoot," I thought.   "I want one of those"...

As a mom, there's no reward or marker of achievement if I get through an usually tough day, week or even month.  I guess one can say if my kids are still alive, than I've done my job... but that's aiming a bit low.  Don't you think?  If I had a career or job outside the home, I would at least get a paycheck at the end of the week.  So, as a mom what is my paycheck?  Kisses and hugs? The joy that comes from seeing my children happy and content?  Yes, I do treasure all of those things, but I can't help wanting something more.

I want a black-belt in "Mommy."  Every time I survive a tantrum or a fight over who gets to use the I-Pad, I should earn a point towards a new belt.  Every time my 3 year-old-old son wakes me up in the middle of the night, and I have to endure the tantrum that ensues when I tell him he needs to sleep in his own bed, I should earn a point.  Every time I have to explain to my 6-year-old that the tone he's using to ask me for food, or complain about food I've given him-- is not respectful, I should earn a point.  

I want some kind of acknowledgement that what I do every day as a mom is tough work.  I want a bright colorful belt to show the world and remind myself that I'm making some kind of progress.  I should make it clear that I don't believe motherhood is something you strive to "master," and I would definitely be on yellow right now, not black.  But, I can't be the only mom out there who finds it difficult to feel a genuine sense of accomplishment after a week home as primary parent with the kids. A cool, martial art inspired belt would be a killer addition to my wardrobe... I'm just saying.