Who says they don’t have real-life superheroes? I’m a superhero. At least I am in the eyes of my oldest son, 3-year-old Navin. As he refers to one of his favorite movies, The Incredibles, he tells me, “You a superhero mommy, mommy and I a superhero big boy!” Therefore, I, Jennifer Stallings, single mother of two, full-time student and full-time employee believe that many of us moms should add “superhero” to their resume. I have no choice but to live up to my son’s expectations. I'm not a superhero because I have magical powers or wear a cape and can fly, but because I have a million and one things going on in my life and still manage to smile through it all, do all that I can for my kids and not go completely crazy – at least I think I’m still sane.
Mother, student, employee, chef, nurse, chauffeur, sister, daughter, friend, and cousin – you name it, I’m it. I’m 5’3, 128 pounds, glasses, naturally curly black hair that I religiously have blown out every week, a reddish brown complexion with freckles, and I am biracial, African American and Ecuadorian – for those unfamiliar with Ecuador
My day usually begins at 6 a.m. and ends when I lay my head down which can be anytime from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., it varies. I wake to two of the most handsome boys around, Navin and Arius. Navin, a rambunctious boy that has a smile bright enough to light up a dim room and Arius (Ari for short), an 18-month-old, mischievous toddler that has a face sweet enough to melt anyone’s heart. Now, it’s off to get up, get dressed and start our day!
After I drop them off at school, I drive to a job that I enjoy and work dutifully for 8 hours. After a long day at work, I then pick up my kids, drive them to either my cousin’s or my mom’s house and race to school. I sit in class and try to muster up enough energy to focus, interact and learn as much as possible. After class I get my kids, head home and get them ready for bed, and then my schoolwork begins. This is my routine 4 to 5 days a week, and when I’m not in school or work, I’m working hard at being a good mom.
After I drop them off at school, I drive to a job that I enjoy and work dutifully for 8 hours. After a long day at work, I then pick up my kids, drive them to either my cousin’s or my mom’s house and race to school. I sit in class and try to muster up enough energy to focus, interact and learn as much as possible. After class I get my kids, head home and get them ready for bed, and then my schoolwork begins. This is my routine 4 to 5 days a week, and when I’m not in school or work, I’m working hard at being a good mom.
I do everything with my kids – everything. From pedicures to doctor’s appointments to dinners with the girls, if you see me then there’s a strong chance you will see my kids. I do have the occasional moments of “me time”, but those moments are minimal and when I am not with them all I do is miss them terribly. I look forward to the weekends, not because I don’t have school or work but because I can enjoy my children. We sleep in late (7:30 instead of 6:30), and yes I said “we”, I too am guilty of letting them sleep with me, we watch Saturday morning cartoons, we love to eat beignets for breakfast, and one of our favorite pastimes is to eat snowballs from a small shack-like stand near Lafreniere Park. When my kids and I have had a long day, we like to unwind to our favorite movies, Toy Story 3 or the Incredibles.
Some might think I’m crazy for taking on as much as I do, but I look as it as “if it don’t kill me, it can only make me stronger!” I’m a single mother that aspires to succeed, not only for myself, but also for my boys. “If you want something done right, then you gotta do it yourself!” A motto I live by. So if I’m not out there busting my tail for myself and my sons who is going to do it? And when I’m not busy being a mom, a student or a Sales & Marketing assistant, I’m being a big sister to my younger brothers, a daughter to my mom, a friend and a girlfriend to my man.
Who's tired? Not me.
Who's tired? Not me.
So as I wrap up yet another semester in school, I pray for continued strength, good grades and enough motivation to keep this girl in motion. In a nutshell, I know all I do will eventually pay off for my children and me; therefore, a little sleep deprivation and hectic days are a small price to pay for their happiness. So I guess Navin is right, I am a real superhero – just like the ones on television – my Altima is the equivalent to the “bat mobile”, my strength is my proverbial cape and I’m doing it all in front of an audience that watches my every move – Navin and Arius.
