The most important lesson my mother taught me about being a mom…

As a child my mother always said, “You will understand when you are a mother.” And she was right... now I know.

My mother taught me the bond that you will never have with anyone else but your child.

I know the movements my children made inside of me when I was pregnant and the difference in each one and how it has produced into their personalities.

I know the feeling of pain from labor but that the feeling of holding your child for the first time outweighs it and makes you instantly forget.

I know the bond that only a mother can feel when she looks into her child’s eyes for the first time.

I know that promise you make to them in those first few minutes of life to protect them, always be there for them and most of all to love them forever.

I know that feeling you get when your child smiles at you for the first time. Or when they roll over, take their first steps and say your name.

I know the overwhelming love you feel when your child gives you a hug or kiss and tells you they love you.

I know this because my mother taught me.

My mother taught me the reasons for her over protectiveness.

I know when my child gets on that bus to school every morning I will worry until the moment he comes home and is in my care again.

I know when my child is sleeping at night why I check on them throughout the night.

I know why I make sure my last words to them every night before bed and every time we need to part is, I Love You.

I know when someone is watching my children that lump you feel in your chest worrying if they are okay.

I know when a child takes their first steps you can’t baby them but you can always be a few steps away from them to catch them if they fall.

I know they will one day tell me they hate me for being over protective and tell me I am the worst mother in the world, and I will smile at them and respond, “When you have children, you will understand.”

I know this because my mother taught me.

My mother taught me the sacrifice that a mother makes for her child.

I know the sacrifices you make to give your child everything they want and need.

I know the sacrifice of not always being home with my children because in order to give my children the best, I need to work.

I know the sacrifice of sleep because your child isn’t feeling well.

I know the sacrifice of your favorite foods because your child doesn’t like them.

I know the sacrifice of new undergarments or clothes because although yours are old you find yourself in the children’s department of the store buying for your children instead.

I know this, because my mother taught me.

My mother taught me to be strong for my children.

I know that I need to teach my children to walk but it’s hard not to hold their hand.

I know I need to teach my children to be independent but that I will always be there when they are in a jam.

I know that I need to let my children find out things for themselves but I could always give them advice.

I know that I can’t stop them from the heartaches they will endure but I can always lend an ear and a shoulder to lean on.

I know that I can’t stop them from growing up but I can help them on the right path.

I know that I can’t stop them from straying from that path but I can help them find it again.

I know that the lessons I teach my children will be harder on me then they are on them.

I know this because my mother taught me.

My mother also taught me the most valuable lesson of all…

Since becoming a mother, my mom has taught me even more lessons. These lessons I haven’t questioned or even thought twice about the advice. Now I listen to her and although some things I may not agree with, I still keep those lessons in the back of my mind knowing one day I too will understand.

The most valuable lesson my mother has taught me since becoming a mother myself, is to enjoy my children because they grow up so fast. She is absolutely right, too. I have stopped and smelled the roses with my boys, spent a whole day cuddling with them on the couch. I have danced like a fool in my living room with them and we have laughed so hard that we cried. I have enjoyed every feeding, every cuddle and every kiss as if it was the first time. I have sat admiring my children when they thought I wasn’t looking and cried at night because I love them so much.

I know the meaning of being a mother, I know how it feels and I know I will teach my children the same... just as my mother taught me.