As a mom of two growing boys, I have learned a thing or two about being a mother.
I’m mom. I love being mom. But, being mom requires me to balance my responsibilities, discipline my children, provide guidance, offer endless nurturing, and know when and how to take some time for myself.
As women, we are cups. Our cups may be filled with love, sweet kisses, and hugs. But, we must be careful not to deplete everything inside of the cup. As Iyanla Vanzant once said, “We must be self-ful and selfish”. To be self-ful means to save something for yourself at the end of a long day.
I’m a mom that knows how to balance my life, while keeping my kids at the center of everything.
One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to bake cookies. It was one of my favorite things to do with my siblings. My mom preferred to bake cakes, and I would eat the cake batter from the bowl. It was quite delicious and not nutritious. My mom knew that giving me the cake batter would make me smile.
That’s one of the most important attributes that I took from my mom as a kid. You don’t have to be a millionaire to make your kids smile. All you need is a good idea and a warm heart.
My mom used to say all the time, “Wait until you have kids…. you’ll see what I’m talking about.” Of course, I didn’t understand what she meant at the time. But now, everything has finally come full circle. Having kids gives your life so much more meaning and value.
Yes, it does come jam-packed with bumps, bruises, tummy aches, and headaches. But, once you get past the challenges, you discover that the true meaning of love begins within your kids.
They will love you unconditionally, and return the love you give to them. If you ask me, that’s the best part about being a mom - it comes with love for a lifetime.
Summary of Parts I and II: In part one, Minolta shares the momentous feeling of having her first child, and in part two, she talks about the importance of having a community to lean on, and finding strength within yourself.
