Being a mom…..

What is being a mom?

I have been thinking a lot about this tonight in light of Mother’s Day and what it means. For every mom, it will be different. I am blessed to be surrounded in my life by some beautiful, selfless moms. They have helped shape the woman that I am today and they continue to “push” me to new heights of loving my children.

Do I feel that I am a wonderful mom?

Yes….but not because I have taken countless surveys or read countless blogs about the “top 10 ways to be a good mom”. Good Lord, you will drive yourself nuts trying to be “everything” that the newest bloggers recommend. I believe that I am a wonderful mom because I strive DAILY to be a good mom. Because I believe that my children will grow up strong, and ready for whatever life hands them when they feel loved and supported from their mom.

Do I feel that I “have it all together”???

Absolutely not!!! But….i try!

I wake up everyday trying to be a better mom than the day before…and I go to bed every night evaluating myself as “mom”.

Being a mom is looking at yourself every day…through the eyes of a child. Am I patient? Loving? helpful? As crazy as it might be, how is my child feeling right now? Do I need to spend some time with my child today that I didn’t originally plan to? Have I strived to give them “all of me” in every way?

Being a mom is about being “cool” to an 8 yr old boy who just wants to wrestle…doesn’t want to kiss on you…but admires you and wants his own “time” with you…you just have to figure out what that “means”. You may resort to wacky faces,  practical jokes, and fighting…all to win over the heart of that child.

Being a mom is about providing opportunities for your kids to enjoy their time with you. It’s about looking at an overrun calendar and finding some space for a date night. It’s about finding time to laugh, and giggle, and just enjoy life. It’s about rediscovering who your children are as they evolve.

Being a mom is about digging deep and having the “hard talks” with your older children to help “form” them. It’s about listening to where they are, foreseeing where they are heading, and being their support all the while. It’s about remembering how hard it is to grow up and try to find your way.

Being a mom is about spending your “down time” snuggling with little ones, and allowing “sips” out of your tea. It’s about sharing everything that you have because you are “mom” and all “your stuff” is completely and utterly awesome! It’s about feeling little arms around your neck and cold toes against your skin at night by a little nightly visitor. It’s being exhausted about 3 pm because you have crammed so much into your day.

Being mom is about being an example of love. It means loving their Dad in such a way that they learn how to compromise and how to give freely. That your children learn security and self confidence from their home life and the love that they see exhibited by their parents. Being mom means showing your children that they are a priority….second only to their dad!

Being a mom is also about surrounding  yourself with other moms that love you and want to see you be the best mom. It’s about having other women that listen to your gripes; share in your frustrations; and yet tell you to “get over it”…haha.

Happy Mother’s Day!

As you look at your children today, may you feel the loving hand of Christ reassuring you….”well done, my good and faithful servant!”

May we spend today honoring those who have mothered us into being the people who we are today!

God Bless,

Tammi