This year Mother’s Day falls on my birthday, which is a mixed blessing. Part of me loves being able to feel twice as much love and appreciation. But the other part, a petty part, hates having to share my birthday with every other mom in the world. Breakfast Brunch can’t happen because there’s a two hour wait for the thirty other families using this one day to celebrate their mother. I don’t mind sharing my birthday with Mother’s Day, but I am not a fan of sharing my birthday with other mothers. Oh well.
Five Things I Love About Being a Mom
Instead of being selfish and complaining (we sure know I love to complain!), I decided to share my five favorite things about being a mom.
1. They Love You, Anyway
Let’s be honest. There are days when I feel like I am a failure of a mom. I try very hard to do everything right; I try to cook the best foods, plan the most fun activities, bring her to playdates or the playground. But then there are days when my anxiety kicks in and I feel like it’s not enough. Maybe I miss a playdate, or we grab fast food. Perhaps I propped her in front of the television while I fiddled on my phone on the couch, because the thought of going outside just wasn’t appealing. Maybe I told her not right now when she asked me to do something, for no reason other than I didn’t want to.
I am not a perfect mom. But she loves me anyway.
Your kids do not see your faults. They don’t see your flaws. They feel the love you give, they see the memories you’re making, and they hear the kind words you are speaking. Your children don’t compare you to the other moms at playgroup, because they don’t know. They definitely don’t compare you to those other moms on social media, since they won’t have their own accounts for at least ten years (right?). Your children love you.
2. The Spark of Realization when they Learn Something New
Kids are constantly learning new things. Sometimes you wish they wouldn’t, like when toddlers learn to open cupboards. But then there are the times they learn new things and you as a mom (or a parent, or grandparent) feel an overwhelming sense of pride. That pride and happiness is great, but do you know what’s better? The split second look on the child’s face, that spark of realization, when they learn that new task. It’s such an amazing feeling, even stronger than the proud parent vibes.
This also rolls into when they try something and can’t get it, then finally nail the task. There’s a split second of pure ecstasy in their eyes when you can just see the shock rolled into oh my gosh, I did it, Mom did you see that?! It’s beautiful and amazing, and I never want to miss one of these moments.
3. The Cuddles
This one seems obvious, but for someone who is often overwhelmed and easily touched out, the act of cuddling in itself isn’t my favorite. I don’t necessarily want my legs hugged from behind when I’m cooking dinner or doing dishes. There hits a point when I’m don’t cuddling her after a fall, but the tears are still falling so I rock her anyway until she’s ready. And I won’t lie, there are nights when I don’t want to go back into her bedroom for the sixth time for a hug and kiss goodnight, but I do it anyway. Those aren’t the cuddles I’m talking about.
But you know what I love about being a mom? The random cuddles when you don’t expect it. It’s the “I’m super busy doing awesome things, but then I remembered you were my mom and I needed to stop my craft or game to come give you a hug and say you’re the best mommy ever before I run back to my activity and forget about you until I’m finished”. That’s a lot of words for a very quick moment. But it means the world to me.
4. When the Confidence Blooms
I can still remember the first time Sassy corrected someone who didn’t feel it was necessary to say her full name. In the beginning, it was my job to correct the people who audaciously felt they were entitled to shorten her name. But with time, she began to correct people herself. She even corrected the dentist, mid cavity filling, because she doesn’t take crap from anyone.
It’s an amazing feeling to watch as her as she grows into a confident young woman. She doesn’t let the other kids at camp talk down to her. Her emotional maturity is evolving every single day, and she is less likely to respond in a rash way and more likely to pause to think the actions through. She’s always been physically daring to try new things, but with time she began to try new things in social situations as well. She is not afraid to express herself, especially when her skills or knowledge are being undermined. This is huge to me, because I see the potential for her as a leader in the community (or even the nation). Confidence is the greatest trait a child can develop.
5. Seeing the World through a New Lens
At first it was difficult for me to grasp how things apparently black and white for me could possibly be anything other than the way I saw them. But having a child forces you to look at like through a new perspective… through a tiny perspective. And it’s wonderful. I needed to soften my heart and let down my own boundaries of expectations and interpretations, and really let her show me the world through her little eyes. I love how I am able to experience parts of life, once again, through another set of eyes. It’s like I am getting a second chance on life, and together we can make her have the best possible childhood imaginable.
Do you have children? How many and what are their ages? Tell me what your favorite part is about being a mom (or caregiver)!
PS, checkout more of my posts on Parenting if you are a mama looking for some relatable stories and inspiration.