What I Love About Moms

About three weeks ago, I’d about had it with the bickering, the mess, and the endless list of tasks.  Sometimes it feels like motherhood is all work and no rewards (you’ve been there, right?).  That afternoon, my nine- and seven-year-old daughters gave me an invitation to a “Love You Festival” at 4 o’clock in their room.  I had no idea what they were planning, but I told them I would definitely make it.

When I arrived at the appointed hour, my youngest daughter directed, “Mom, sit on my bed between the rows of hearts.  And hold the monkey.” 

I did as they instructed, and the two girls situated themselves on the other bed, got out a thick file folder of visual aides, and proceeded to tell me what they love about me.

“You take us to Build-a-Bear.”

“You teach us to be modest.”

“You teach us to love our country.”

“You tell us we can be anything we want to be.”

“You teach us to smile.”

“You teach us that we are princesses.”

They went on for a few minutes (I could tell they’d totally rehearsed), and the sweetness of that moment made up for all the troubles of the day.  I left their room feeling like I was actually accomplishing something…a rare feeling during the rush of the week.

As I have reflected on that day, I’ve come to the conclusion that every mother needs a “Love You Festival.”  Every mom needs to know that she’s making a difference, that she’s worth something, that she’s shaping the future in her own way.  So, for those of you who would like such a reminder, please accept this virtual “Love You Festival” from me.

First, come on in and sit down–and don’t forget to hold the monkey.

Now, take a moment to relax and listen to some of the things I love about YOU:

You give your heart to your family members.

You sacrifice sleep (and probably will for the rest of your life).

You are quick to forgive.

You spend hours taking care of the house, even when it’s going to get messy again.

You deal with more “Dirty Jobs” than the TV show.

You nurture life.

You know what you do is important–even when a non-mother asks, “So what do you DO all day?” 

You carpool.

You come up with some sort of great dinner when everyone else would take one look at the fridge and complain, “There’s nothing to eat.”

You kiss boo-boos and give hugs and stock up on band-aids and buy colorfully-packaged foods that your children beg to put in the cart.

You won’t go to bed until all your children are home.

You push all the stresses you’re facing to the back of your mind so you can focus on what your children need right at that moment.

You spend your Saturdays in a camping chair chanting, “Go team, go!”

You sing “eencie weencie spider” while you put on your make-up to keep your children entertained.

You can locate any public restroom within 30 seconds (the window of time you have between “I HAVE TO GO POTTY!” and wet pants). 

You realize your life would be “easier” without children, but you’re not looking for “easy.”

You comfort your mother-friends and remind them how great they are on the days they just want to go back to bed.

You sit for hours in doctor’s offices, on park benches, and at McDonald’s play lands.

You hold hands every time you cross the street, you remind your children to say “thank you” and “please,” and you teach, teach, teach (hoping your children are listening).

You do what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

You absolutely matter.

All right, I could go on all day, but my kitchen is a mess, and I’m still in my exercise clothes.  I hope you could feel the truth of the sentiments written above.  I hope you know that your work is priceless.  I hope you lift your head a little higher today and realize how wonderful you really are, because you, my fellow mothers, are wonderful.

QUESTION: Do you ever have days when you feel like what you do is not noticed or appreciated?

CHALLENGE:  Make a copy of this post if you need reminders of what you do and how important you are.

About April Perry

April Perry is the wife to her best friend, Eric, and mother to Alia, Grace, Ethan, and Spencer. In addition to the work she does within her family, she hopes to strengthen others through her projects at Power of Moms and LearnDoBecome.April's "Why" is this: To architect a life of excellence--centered on family and moving upward towards God--with a beautiful balance of spiritual, mental, and physical development that enables others to do the same.