Ah, waitressing! A role where you greet customers with a smile while gracefully managing their complaints and eccentricities. I served tables throughout my college years, and while I briefly utilized my degree in sociology, I’ve realized that the life lessons I gained from waitressing have been invaluable, especially as I navigate the complexities of motherhood.
Here are five key lessons from my time as a server that have profoundly shaped my approach to parenting:
1. Know Who the Difficult Ones Are
As I stood ready to greet my new tables, my instincts kicked in. I could often tell who would be a challenging customer right away. For instance, just yesterday, as I was waking up to my son’s sweet face, he interrupted me mid-greeting to demand his chocolate milk in a specific cup. The same principles apply when dealing with difficult customers and children: don’t take it personally, maintain your composure, and model the behavior you wish to see. And yes, sometimes it’s okay to “forget” the extra chocolate.
2. Own Your Mistakes
In the restaurant world, mistakes happen. I remember a particularly chaotic shift when I forgot to place a table’s order, only to rush back and blame the kitchen for the delay. However, my manager’s honesty about my oversight taught me a vital lesson: take responsibility. Now, when my house is a mess or I’m late, I remind myself that it’s often my own actions at fault. Thankfully, I keep snacks handy for those moments.
3. Embrace the Mess
My early days as a waitress were filled with spills and accidents, including a tray of food I dropped right before reaching a table. Fast forward to parenthood, and I quickly learned that messes are part of the journey. With my son’s reflux and the inevitable “blow-out” diapers, I’ve come to accept that chaos is a normal part of life. When my youngest gleefully throws spaghetti at me, I just remind myself that it could always be worse.
4. Handle Complaints with Grace
Waitressing taught me that complaints are a part of life, whether from customers or my kids. I’ve learned to manage expectations and remain patient, especially when my son complains about his dinner being “too stringy” or the chocolate milk not being “brown” enough. Just as I did with demanding customers, I smile, nod, and take a step back to appreciate the absurdity of the situation.
5. Prioritize the Kids
In my serving days, I quickly learned that happy children lead to happy parents. I would cater to the kids first, ensuring they received their meals and drinks promptly. Now that I’m a mom, I understand this dynamic even better. If my children are content, I’m more likely to have a smooth day. The lesson remains: if you treat my kids well, you will earn my gratitude.
As I continue to apply the skills I honed while waitressing to my parenting journey, I look forward to the day when my children can experience their own work environments. I’ll encourage them to apply at a restaurant and watch as they gain the same valuable life experiences I did. Ultimately, I hope they learn the importance of kindness and gratitude, especially when it comes to tipping their servers.
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In summary, my experience as a waitress has equipped me with essential tools for motherhood. From acknowledging challenges to embracing chaos and prioritizing happiness, the lessons I learned have shaped my parenting style and prepared me for the unpredictable journey ahead.