What has motherhood taught me? Everything. Motherhood has a way of humbling you like nothing else. It reveals your strengths, but it also forces you to be honest about your weaknesses. You don’t think less of yourself, but you do think of yourself less.
It taught me about unconditional love. Loving a human without need or expectation. Loving all-seeing and accepting. And the feeling is mutual. That is perhaps one of motherhood’s most rewarding things: being loved for who you are and not necessarily for what you do.
About perseverance. “This too shall pass” is a quote my mother reminded me of frequently. I had to push on, show up, and rise to the occasion every day, even when it was hard and I struggled. The days are long, but the years are short, and that effort will pay off.
To cherish the little moments. One day, you’ll realize they were the big things. If I had a piece of advice for any mother, especially the newer ones, it would be to say “yes” as often as possible. You don’t realize until the moments have passed how much you would give to go back to those innocent, simpler, sweeter days.
That perfection is overrated. Consistency is more important. I have found that my children have connected with me more when I am vulnerable and imperfect. Those cracks are how the light gets in. They remember making memories with you, not that you didn’t get the laundry done, made the perfect dinner, or had a mommy meltdown.
About strength. Physical and emotional. In my opinion, the mere act of giving birth is the ultimate sign of strength. But then comes the endless laundry, cleaning, cooking, and carpooling. It all takes a toll. When the kids have a bad day, or someone is sick, this is a true testament to what I am made of. It’s a muscle that is constantly worked, and it becomes stronger moment by moment, day by day, year by year.
About joy. Any mother will tell you true joy is experienced when seeing your child happy, healthy, and thriving. Isn’t that the real goal of any mother? When my children are grown and go off into the world and start their own lives and families, I will feel at peace knowing they are truly happy.
About failure. You will fail as a mother. Over and over again. That’s something that must be accepted. But always heed the lessons of failure. When I feel like I have failed for the day, I truly make a point to reflect on what went wrong and how I can make it better the next day. Always remember that tomorrow is a fresh start.
Children watch more than they listen. I was once advised not to worry so much about my children not listening to me but to worry about them watching me. They are great imitators, so I am responsible for giving them something great to imitate.
To be present. Learn to live in the moment and to have patience with it. Children can tell if you aren’t fully there with them. In this world that focuses on the importance of things, I think the best gift you can give a child is your time. That is something you will never regret.
About sacrifice. Sacrificing is about giving up something good—in my case, my life pre-children—for something better. I learned that it isn’t about my wants and needs first anymore. My children will always come first. I hope they will one day recognize the sacrifices I made over the years out of my love for them.
To cherish my mother. Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a mother. I get it now, Mom. Thank you. “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
When Mother’s Day comes around every year, I always look back at old photos of my children and reminisce. I also look back at old photos of myself before I had my children and reflect on how much I’ve changed and grown.
Always look for beauty and opportunity in each season of motherhood. Time is precious and fleeting. And every moment, whether exciting or mundane, matters. Happy Mother’s Day!
