Think of a sorority.
Your mind probably pictured a perfectly put together group of young girls with Greek letters across their shirts “woo-ing” with one arm up in the air and solo cups in the other.
Am I right?… Most likely.
What if I told you that my sorority experience at UL actually provided me with life skills that ultimately aided me in being a better mom?
Here are five ways sorority life helped me handle mom life:
Leadership
I learned how to lead the group. By my senior year, I was accustomed to standing in front of a room full of women, projecting my voice, and rallying them together. I learned how to convey information effectively and to the masses.
Now, I lead two mini me’s. I’m in my sixth year of motherhood, and I am accustomed to standing in front of the television, projecting my voice, and making them play nice together. I convey how tired I am effectively and to two little girls.
Philanthropy
I was part of great service toward others, my school, and my community. I helped raise funds for many different causes and gave up many a Saturday to selflessly serve for the greater good.
Now, I serve. I am of great service toward my children, their schools, and my community. I still help to raise funds for many different causes and give up various days of the week to selflessly serve for the greater good of my small family.
Networking
Recruitment entailed meeting over 200 new people within a matter of hours. Remembering names, let alone majors and fun facts, was a feat. I learned how to network and meet new people without feeling completely awkward.
Now I “mom network.” School entails meeting friends and their parents at a much slower pace. (But that’s still a 3 for 1 deal.) I’m horrible with names, great with faces. I can tell you Suzie’s favorite princess and that Jane is allergic to peanuts. I’ve even made a mom friend or two through this whole shin-dig!
Balance
Balancing school work, a part time job (or two), and sorority life was challenging at its best, but it was then I learned the time management skills I needed to get everything done. There was an occasional all nighter fueled by Red Bull.
Now, I balance. I balance a family with daycare and kindergarten (let’s not forget dancing class), a 50+ hour full time work week, reallllllly light housework, blogging, a somewhat social life, and alumna life. And it’s challenging at it’s best, but I call on my time management skills I learned back then to get everything done. There is just an occasional “adult time out” glass of wine involved.
Love
I was never alone … even if I wanted to be. The odds were in my favor, being one of one hundred. There was always someone there, by my side, willing to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on, day or night. I’d call a sister and they would come knock at my dorm door. I shared in a bond that could not be broken … sisterly love.
Now, I am never alone … even if I want to be. The odds are stacked against me with two of them and one of me. There is always someone there, clinging to my side, holding my hand while crying on my shoulder, day or night. I hear them calling, “Mommy!” as they run and knock on my bathroom door. But, I share a bond with them that cannot be broken … motherly love.
