Motherhood is not for the faint of heart.

I always thought I was pretty resilient but after having my twins I can say that there really is nothing that could prepare me physically or emotionally for the challenges of having children.   In fact, I would go so far to say that motherhood could actually be used as training for service in the Marine Corps.  Don’t laugh.  There are a whole lot of things that mothers have in common with Marines.  Here are ten of them:

1.  Agility

Oh sure, the Marines can go through obstacle courses and do drills which allow them to evade enemy fire in a hostile environment.  But as mothers, we must be capable of rousing ourselves out of a deep sleep within seconds of hearing a strange sound, leap to our feet and traverse staircases, sleeping pets, legos, Hot Wheels, Barbie shoes, crayons and any other number of dangerous items in the dark of night–WITHOUT the use of infrared vision.

2.  Sleep Deprivation

Marines must be prepared to go without sleep for days and have been trained withstand the use of sleep deprivation as a form of torture if they are captured by the enemy.  Mothers must also be able to go without sleep for days, (although we don’t get to hang out in a cell all day in POW camp.)  We must also be able to go about their work, cook, clean, care for baby, shop, entertain, and maintain the countenance of an angel during hours of teething-inspired screaming all while fending off the kind of exhaustion that gives us permanent nausea.

3.  High Threshold for Pain

Marines are tough.  Real tough.  But so are moms.  Moms must be able to withstand surprise attacks from our children who leap on us at inopportune moments, jab us with sharp, pointy elbows and knees, slam their heads into our full bladders, run into us with shopping carts, pull earrings out from our ears, bite us while they are nursing, and numerous other painful encounters that happen during the course of the average day.  AND we must do it without retaliating.

4.  Killer Instincts

Marines know that their lives depend on being able to make split second decisions and to strike first when it is necessary to protect themselves and their buddies.  So do moms.  I dare you to make one false move toward one of my children.  No, really.  I dare you.

5.  Heavy Equipment

Marines carry around supplies, ammunition, and all kinds of equipment that is so heavy it can cause damage their their joints for the rest of their lives.  The average marine carries a backpack of almost 70 lbs.  And mothers?  Well, just try carrying a diaper bag, a stuffy toy, a pair of shoes that have been discarded, a stroller, and a 20 lb. wiggling toddler who doesn’t want to leave the park and tell me how your joints feel.

6.  Camaraderie

Marines know that they have to be able to rely on their fellow Marines in order to survive.  They are a tight-knit group with relationships that carry on decades after their service is over.  Mothers are the same way.  Mothers band together, regardless of age, economic status, or culture.  We instinctively know that other mothers are on our side, and we all want the same thing:  happy, healthy children and a peaceful world in which to raise them.  Mothers are each others best friends and source of support and understanding.

7.  Dirt

Rolling in the dirt, crawling through the mud, covered in blood and vomit.   Pretty much the same for both.

8.  Rations

Marines live off canned beans and dehydrated meat.  Moms live off of old french fries we find in the seat cushions while cleaning out our cars.

9.  Authority

Marines have to be able to go into a hostile environment and call the shots, even while doing damage control.  They may face rebellion or even outright defiance from the locals.  Moms have to do the same thing, but we don’t get guns.

10.  Motherhood

Yeah.  Moms are Marines.  And Marines are Moms.  So are thousands of women also serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.  This Mother’s Day, be sure to thank military moms for their double duty.