I used to think the years I spent being a single mother were pretty tough…but as I look back, I would never give up the things I learned about myself during that time! I cherish that time as one of the major growing periods of my life.
Allyson Smith: Best Friends Traveling the World Together
I am all about giving my children experiences. Right now we are on a four-month humanitarian trip to Cambodia, Thailand, India, and Spain.
Lindsay Ruiz: I’m Finding My Own Way
The most important thing you can do is remember that you are the best mom for your kids. And to try to remember that your best is good enough. You will feel a lot better about your role as a mother once you can embrace those things.
Emily Ballard: Turning Weaknesses into Strengths
There are lots of things about motherhood that have surprised me. I’ve done things that I never thought possible. I’ve loved like I’ve never thought possible. And along with that, I’ve hurt like I never thought possible.
Kelli Fletcher: Lighten up! Laugh! and Patience!
At the age of 8, I was involved in a tubing accident that left me profoundly deaf. One of my dreams as a young girl was to become a mother and I wondered what kind of impact my deafness would have raising my children.
Jennifer Lund: Aiming High, But Not Expecting Perfection
I’ve been surprised by how much I have grown as a mother. It isn’t only sacrifice; there’s so much personal growth involved. I can adapt, grow, and learn with each new challenge. I have learned that I am blessed by magnifying my role as a mother.
Christina Bartholomew: I Know What It Is To Love Unconditionally
We’ve been blessed with a large family–we have more kids than almost everyone we know, so I’ve learned to forge my own way and figure out how this can and should work. My husband and I put our family as our first priority and though it’s exhausting and chaotic at times, there is so much life and happiness in our home.
Amy Lindstrom: I Think About My Children…Who They Really Are
I guess I would say that it is vital that we see our children as people and that we respect them. They are learning and our reactions will teach them the ways they should react. It is important to validate their feelings and help them cope or learn to deal with the hard things.
Kiki Comin: Letting Kids Run Their Own Races
I am the lucky and blessed “trainer” who gets to introduce my kids to new things, watch them struggle, teach, teach, teach, and watch them get stronger. Just when I think I get to actually go “run the race” with them, they remind me that it is not my job.
Amber Fawson: So Much of Motherhood is About Acceptance
I’ve been surprised that I don’t mind the more hum-drum parts of motherhood. I keep pretty busy with a business I run from home, but as for other aspirations, I have completely cut off a few I didn’t think I could live without.
Tiffany Erickson: I Love Teaching My Children
I used to think if I were the perfect mom I would have perfect kids. I worked hard to be the perfect mom yet, there was still chaos and meltdowns. I’d think, “What more can I do?” I had to realize that sometimes it is their deal and not mine.
Carissa Leventis-Cox: I’m Just Trying To Be the Best Mother I Can Be
I am not the mother I thought I’d be. Sure, I thought I would be loving, caring and kind–but I didn’t know how much more loving, caring and kind I would be. I am still surprised at how involved, proactive and deliberate I want to be as a mother.