Can we be honest for a second? It’s HARD work to be a mom. And in a world filled with mom wars, shaming and bashing, it can be even harder.
We all work relentlessly to be a good mom. But when someone disagrees because of your lifestyle or parenting choices, it can really, REALLY hurt. It doesn’t matter if you use cloth diapers or disposables, breast- or bottle-feed, co-sleep, homeschool, eat only organic, work full time or stay home. You are a good mom.
Everyone is different, and those differences are exactly what make your unique journey through motherhood so special. Rather than looking down on those who aren’t parenting the same exact way as you, embrace it. Who knows… reaching out and rallying behind someone who has slightly different view may be an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a friend.
It truly is hard work to be a mom. However, with the support of a growing community of moms doing their best — just like you — we can make things easier for each other. We are here to uplift, encourage, and accept one another — TOGETHER. So let’s do exactly that.
This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating every good mom. Tell us about a time when you saw someone being a good mom. Be sure to share what you admired most or why this moment stuck with you.
Prizes:
- First place – $150 Gift Certificate to Cotton Babies
- Second place – $100 Gift Certificate to Cotton Babies
- Third place – $50 Gift Certificate to Cotton Babies
How to Enter:
Write one comment on this post about a time when you saw someone being a good mom. Use the entry form below to submit your comment. One entry per person. Comments should be limited to 250 words. Contest entries only please.
Entries must be received by Sunday, May 17. A winner will be announced by Friday, May 22. We want enough time available to give each entry a fair review.
Extra Credit Opportunities:
- Snap a photo of yourself or someone else being a good mom and post it on Instagram (@CottonBabies) using the #EveryGoodMom and #CBMom hashtags
- Tweet about the contest by using the hashtags above
- “Like” this post to share it with your Facebook friends
Judging:
First, second and third place winners will be selected based on content. Random winners who complete the “Extra Credit” will also be chosen throughout the contest.
Eligible entries must be posted no later than 11:59 PM EST Sunday, May 17. U.S. residents only. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win. Winners will be drawn after the close of the contest and notified via email. All prizes must be claimed within 30 days of end of giveaway.
Comments
126 Comments
My friend is years older than me but her son is just 2 years older than my daughter. The way she disciplines and reasons with her son is so effective and loving.The other day he wanted something and she said no, he started crying. She explained that there was a reason why and she wasnt trying to be mean. She put emphasis on how much she loves him and wants the best for him. The words that really stuck were “Mommy loves youso much that I want you to grow up to be a good person. Thats why I discipline you and teach you. Don’t you want to be a better person?” Of course he said yes. I learned from her that I could correct my daughter without being mean or spanking like others but with love. She is so humble and thinks I’M the super mom being a young mom with 2 kids and seemingly collected. I love her as a friend and spiritual sister <3
Where I love you never see people Breast feed in public. I’m super shy so usually when it was time for my daughter eat while at a public place I would just go out to my car and nurse her. One day I saw a lady nursing her child in a local childrens museum. For some reason it made me super emotional and i just wanted to thank her for having the courage to nurse in public and not letting anyone make her feel bad about it!
My mom. No matter how mean I am, no matter how much of a horrible daughter I am, she’s always been there for me. I hope I have half the patience she has.
I see great moms all the time! I remember many years ago seeing a woman snuggling her son at a baseball game. It was so sweet and you could just see the love! that made me hope for boys of my own! And now I have 2!
I think the thing that stands out most to me was growing up with a single mom who gave up everything to give me the absolute best. We didn’t have much money at all and sometimes she went without or just ate rice for dinner and honestly now looking back I see how much she sacrificed. She never let on though. I’d ask what was for dinner and she would make a game out of it… oh just the possum… or maybe the raccoon…. does skunk soup sound good to you? 🙂 It diverted a question she honestly could not answer some days and created a silly adventure that took my mind off being hungry. She is amazing and selfless and I’m incredibly thankful for the example she gave to me on how to be a mom.
watching a mom do what is necessary, not what is easy, is a good mom. My daughter was hit by a car and sons of the physical therapy was difficult because you do not want to see your child in pain and then do exercises cause more pain, but you do them because it is necessary, now that my daughter is a new mom and she needs therapy, I see it all over again, but like a true mom she does what is needed even though it almost breaks your heart to see such a little angel in pain and crying. I don’t think anything is harder as a mom then to see your child in pain and not being able to soothe them.
I use donated breast milk to feed my son. Although I appreciate all our milk donors, one really stands out. A donor of ours had lost her child during birth and to let her child live on she donates what would be her daughters milk to us and others.
I’ve seen many great moms. I find it especially amazing when a mom can keep her cool im a very trying situation with a toddler. A friend of mines daughter was overtired and throwing a tantrum in church. I just remember how calm she was and how her voice was so soothing and she was able to get her daughter to sit back down, stop screaming and I think it was because she knew her mom loved her so much and would always be there for her.
I’ve seen so many good moms throughout my time as a child care provider. However, my favorite moment would be when a little boy had been building a sand castle and he was so proud of it. His mom came and another little boy crushed his castle. He was devastated, as 2 years sand castles are very important. Instead of rushing her child home, she got down in the sand, in business attire, and helped him as well as several other children build sand castles. That mom took the time to show her child that she appreciated them, and their time. I can think of a million different great moms, including my own. Yet to see other moms appreciate their children, and allow them to be children always melts my heart.
I saw my friend being a good mom several times. She was a mom of 3 by her early 20s and worked 3 jobs plus was in school full time to provide a better future for them. She is calm and keeps it together and knows how to have fun with them too
A few weeks ago a woman, who I’m not sure was a mother or not, but had a mother’s heart, saw me with my baby and just said so sincerely “You are a good mom.” And it made my heart swell. Those kind words meant so much.
a friend of mine is a great mom because she is teen age mom and does the best she can. she is always there for her son
Mine Good Mom story isn’t so much a single act as a lifestyle change. My best friend had my Godson when she was very young and married his father before he was born. Relationship problems lead to separation and having to drop out of school to take care of her son. With the economy being how it was 6 years ago, she decided to join the Air Force to be sure that he would have the care he needed and that she would absolutely be able to provide for him.
A good mom is a mom who inspires kindness and love in her children and all those around her.
I recently encountered a mom with three young children at the aquarium. She had an infant in a baby carrier and two toddlers. The entire time, she was very calm and loving toward her children. Even when the toddlers were running around, she never raised her voice or showed any sign of stress.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I aspired to be more like her. I get stressed easily, raise my voice, and lose my temper more often than I would like. Since then, I have found myself actively trying to be more loving and patient toward my daughter.
The mom who made a lasting impression on me is my ilder sister Leilani. We were raised from parents who werent there so we dont have much good parenting to go off of l. When i visited her and my niece insaw her explaining things to my niece and playing with her really ingaging in what she wants to do it was so empowering. I didnt have a kid at the time but it made me want one (it was quite a few years before my daughter came into this world) now having my LO i look back on her parenting i saw that month i was there and i entertwine it with my own. I am so priud of hownfar she has cone. I love you leilani
My mom is a great Mom! I just had my 3rd child, and she came for 3 1/2 weeks to help out! I ended up having the baby just like 3 days before she left, and she made me wonderful berry cobbler, and chicken fried chicken and mild gravy! Definite comfort food, and so nice to have a Mothers’ touch in my post-partum days!
So hard to decide! My mom is a wonder woman — I don’t know how she does it. Somehow, growing up, she has been a mom and a friend, striking that perfect balance of being fun enough that I always liked hanging out with her, even as a teen. But she still laid down the law when needed!
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pfgdae/status/599612861455867904
Having had my three babies each go through the NICU, I have had plenty of opportunities to see other moms in the NICU deal with a very stressful situation and be good mommies for their sick babies. This past birth, I was staying at the Ronald McDonald House at the same time as a mom who had been there for several weeks with her new son (she lived a couple hours away). She was up pumping and visiting her son at all hours, and was making sure to be there for him. NICU moms rock!
My grandma (mama) is one good mom!! She is the absolute best. She has raised 6 children one with a form a mental retardation(still lives with her) and 3 grandkids! Myself being one of p those. We’ve had so many hard times growing up but we never knew different. She been through so much in her life and managed to come out just fine. She’s so awesome and I’m so glad to now be an adult and be able to help her out from time to time. We’ve been though far to much to put here.. She definitely one good mom!!! I love her so much!!
I overheard a mother at my daughter’s school tell her daughter, “I wish you could see what I do when I look in your eyes.”
My sister went through one of the worst labors, over 12 hours of pushing before doctor finally called for an emergency C section. She ended up with two blood transfusions and an infected incision. She took care of my nephew through the next 4 months of dealing with the incision problems. Has never let him spend the night without her, and is so patient. I hope I can be half the dedicated Mom she is.
There’s a dog park across the street, and we’ve met several families there who also have young children. The endless patience they have as they teach their little ones to respect their dog (and the dog to respect the little one) is always wonderful!
By far the best mom I know is my very own. She is my best friend and has always been there for me. She drove hours every other night to visit me in the hospital when I was on bed rest for 8 weeks prior to having an emergency c-section at 27 1/2 weeks gestation; all while my husband was in boot camp (USMC). She visited my daughter frequently with me during her month stay in the NICU and she was with me as I held my daughter in my arms as she took her last breath. Now, several years later she is an awesome grandmother to my two living children. I could not ask for a better mom or grandmother to my babies, she is truly a remarkable woman.
being a part of many local groups I came across a mother who was looking for breast milk for her little one since she couldnt BF. A group of mothers all offered to pump for her so she could have Breast milk for her daughter. This brought tears to my eyes to see so many women want to help out a fellow mama.
As a high school teacher I come across many different types of moms. Recently, sitting in an IEP meeting, I saw a mom that brought me to tears (and I’m not a crier). I’ve been her daughter’s reading teacher for the past two years and we’ve developed a close bond. Her daughter suffers sever physical disabilities as well as visual and hearing impairments. In spite of all of her disadvantages she works hard to improve and be as “normal” as she can. At this IEP meeting everyone was sharing how well her daughter was doing. The mom sat there quietly with her eyes down. I thought that was odd, as she should be excited by what she was hearing. After a long pause, she lifted her eyes and tears started to fall. She thanked all of us and said she only wants her daughter to be happy. I couldn’t imagine what life must be like for her, and yet she was thanking us for our work. She is the one who raised her daughter to overcome her disabilities, she is the one inspires me. When I feel like I’ve had a long day, I think of this mom and am thankful for what I’ve been given. She is an inspiration to me.
I see good moms in action all the time. The mom that is doing her best to tough out a toddler tantrum, or to let her little one explore the playground while resisting the urge to interfere. The mom that comforts her crying baby, etc.
I am constantly inspired by a friend of mine. She loves her children and sacrifices for them and has inspired me to believe I can be a good mother. One specific example was just a few weeks ago. She has four kids and she spent her Saturday morning taking her third to the park all alone. She realized that in the daily busyness of taking care of four kids, her third child needed some one on one time so she took the time to make that happen.
Just today I saw a mom with 4 children on a walk near my home. Baby was crying, oldest son was dragging behind with a broken toy, and it was about to start raining. She gave be the biggest smile as we passed and she looked as happy as can be.
HANDS DOWN!!! The most amazing mother I know is my sister. She is a single mom of two beautiful daughters. I know she struggles everyday to make the best life possible for my nieces and she never complains. She works hard, she is patient and fun, brave (except for the time a bat got in her house 😉 ), she makes sure the girls have everything they need. She always keeps her house clean (mine is usually a disaster LOL), runs the kids around, does all of the errands, participates in the classroom & with sports. She is just amazing & I am in awe of her every single day. She is my very best friend! I love her!!!
A few years ago I was at the mall and saw a woman who was dealing with a tough situation. She had an older child, pre-teen to early teenager, who was on the floor throwing a very loud tantrum. The mother had an infant in a carrier strapped to her chest, which made it impossible for her to approach the flailing child on the floor. The mall wasn’t that busy, but still there were plenty of people to stare. Clerks were peaking out of their stores to gawk, teenagers were laughing at the child who reacted to situations differently then they do, and adults loudly shared their thoughts on the situation. Others, like me, looked on, shocked and unsure what to do.
An elderly woman who was mall-walking waved her friends off and approached the frazzled mother. She placed a hand on the mother, had a brief conversation with a smile on her face, and then pointed to a bench. The older lady then went and sat with the infant while the mother, looking more confident, approached and soothed her child in need. I have always admired the elderly woman since then–she did not pass judgement, but instead acted as a surrogate mother to a woman who was struggling with her own children.
Mothers are always useful, long after their children have left the nest.
I saw my friends little boy hit another child at a party and she told him oh no! Now we are going home. Everyone was telling her it’s okay that she didn’t have to leave. But she said no we are working on hitting and this is his consequence. I thought her follow through was amazing in teaching her little guy.
I have had the pleasure of knowing many great moms. I don’t have a specific moment but I have many memories. It is the continued actions of wonderful moms that is most impressive. The every day love, attention, and tasks… along with the love, patience, and caring.
one of my son’s preschool classmate’s mom inspires and reminds me to be gentle and patient with my boy. she alway speaks so softly and kindly to her little girl, and her daughter embodies these kind actions.
my son gets riled sometimes, and I need to remember to keep my cool instead of stoking the fire: it will help both of us in stressful situations.
Although I have a lot of great moms in my life, I will have to be cliche and say my mom. She has helped me tremendously in my life. I had my first at 20 and she was a huge influence in her life. Fast forward many years, my mom would come over and help with my oldest and my 6 month old so I could finish my bachelors degree. Fast forward another year, I ended up having my 3rd daughter at 33 weeks. She came and stayed at our house to help watch the kids while we drove an hour to see our baby in the nicu for 2.5 weeks! She’s just always so incredibly giving and selfless!
My mom is truly the best momma I know. My parents got divorced when I was young, and my mom took on 90% of the child rearing duties of 3 kids. Not once did she complain or bash my father (can’t say the same for him.) She did not make very much money, but she was very financially smart and made sure we were always taken care of. Now that I have kids of my own, I constantly find myself thinking, “What would my mom have done?” Luckily I have the pleasure to be able to call her up and ask her!
My friend Missy is the strongest, most patient, and loving mother I know. Her son Henry is extraordinary and so lucky to have his wonderful mama. One of my favorite moments I’ve witnessed between them was when Henry was about 6, and was just beginning to be fascinated by dinosaurs. She’d been encouraging him to read books at the school library, and one day when I was over, he came home with tears and said he’d finished all the books in the school library about dinosaurs, and was that all there was to know? Missy embraced him, got him to smile and laugh, and then sat down at the computer with him, saying, “I bet we can find out more. Let’s try to figure out how together.” Without just fixing the problem, or dismissing him – instead she let him work through how to Google something, how to reserve a book at the public library, and how to add a documentary to the family’s Netflix queue (promising that their next movie night would be dedicated to dinosaurs). I was so impressed with how she encouraged his interest, but even more by how she really let him lead the whole experience, and was just there as a support system. As a teenager, Henry is now independent, academically inclined, and very funny – all qualities I think he gained by being parented so well!
I was at the grocery store and this little one was throwing a HUGE tantrum. You could tell mom was about to melt down, but she didn’t. She held it together, she didn’t give in and try to bribe with candy or some sort of treat. She made it thru and did it without loosing her cool. I made sure to tell her what an amazing job she was doing.
Just the other day while at Chick-Fil-A there was a mom who had a 2 1/2 year old and a 14 month old boys. The 2 1/2 year old pushed down his little brother. Little brother wasn’t hurt but the mom took the 2 1/2 year old aside and spoke to him very firm but very gentle explaining how little brother was a gift from God to him and how we are to treat little brother with gentleness. It was really sweet. The 2 1/2 year old then went and hugged little brother. I was impressed because I feel like most times I see very rough kids and parents just looking at their iphone. This family was very supportive of each other and you could see all the love between them all!
I was watching the summer Olympic games in the 80’s with my mom. It was one of the years when Jackie Joyner-Kersee was running. I remember asking my mom if she could run as fast as those women on television, and she said yes, if she wanted to.
I believed her. I still do.
I witness good mom’s all over the place. Especially at kids sports we all sit ther3 and cheer on all the kids even when we are tired and drained at the end of the day
My MIL is a wonderful mom and grandmother. A year ago when I gave birth to my son, she came down to help out for 2 1/5-3 weeks. She helped out so much. Because of her, I was able to focus on resting, recovering, and feeding my newborn.
I have a friend who has a special needs son. She is such an amazing mom, and is always putting her son first. I can see that it can be difficult fo her, but she continues to work hard to be the best mom she can be.
I lived with a friend for a few years and she had a toddler at the time, raising him by herself, every day i witnessed her being a good mom, and a good dad. She devoted all her time and energy to making sure that her son had a roof over his head, healthy food, clothing, toys to play with and lots and lots of love, she was and is an amazing mom
Our first friends who had kids taught us nearly everything we know about parenting. Their first child was born before I was even pregnant, and watching my friend Laurie communicate with their child was revelatory. She spoke to him as a *real person* with real, valid emotions. Two kids and many years later, we still look to her example as we navigate the sometimes rough waters of our parent-child relationships.
I witness my own mom being a good mom on a daily basis. She consistently makes sacrifices to help those around her and make her children happy. My sister is due with her first baby next week, and me with mine in September. We’re so excited to have such a wonderful mother as a grandmother for our kids!
I witnessed someone being a good mom at Walmart one time. Her child was throwing a temper tantrum because she couldn’t get a toy so she sat her child down and talked to her about why she shouldn’t be throwing a temper tantrum.
We know many great moms, but a few weeks ago a stranger took the cake. My oldest son who is almost 4 has Down Syndrome. While we were out to eat an innocent little girl stopped at our table and said “What’s wrong with him?” The little girl’s mom got down on her knees and explained that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him. She told her that God loves him so much that he gave him beautiful almond shaped eyes so that his beauty would stand out in a crowd and he packed extra goodness in his heart so that more people in the world will experience happiness. She said rather than point out that he looks and talks a little different, she should make sure she befriends someone like him b/c he will teach her more about the world than anyone else ever can. I would have never have been able to put things so eloquently and I admire her so much for taking the time to encourage acceptance and inclusion.
The best mom I know is my own mom. I remember in my middle school years (the hardest years for me) my dad had to work in another state. She was like a single mom during that time. She worked full time, got me to dance 3 times a week, got me to all my basketball practices and games, and made time for me. I am amazed today how strong she was during all of it. I know it may not sound like a lot of print, but it my mind its worth a lot.
Also, my sister in law is a strong woman. She was pregnant and had her baby while my brother (her husband) was serving in the military in Afghanistan(spelling?). I couldn’t imagine.
My best friend, Alex was a single/first time mom at the age of 17. She put herself through college while working full time and still taking care of her son. Many single parents would have turned to their parents for financial support, and I’m sure they willing gave it to her, but she has always been very determined to be independent and provide anything for her child. I have seen her go through heart ache and different struggles but she never lost herself and continued to push on to work for what she wanted. She has been with her now husband for 3 years and together they have FIVE beautiful children that she continues to lead and inspire everyday.
My Nana was the best mom, she was the most patient, fair, loving, person I knew.. she was always there for anyone in the family and if it wasn’t for her raising me (when my parents fell into drug addictions) I may never have been the person I am, Even today 20 years after she has passed on she is still severely missed by anyone that knew her.
I have been blessed to know many, many wonderful moms in my life. My cousin had a baby girl who was born with an eye defect. For the past year she has been driving her 6 hours every three weeks to get treatment and updates at the children’s hospital. I went on one trip with her and was amazed by her patience and dedication. I was also impressed by the joy of the baby (she was ten months at the time). She hardly complained at all during the driving and waiting and was generally the happiest baby I know.
We all see good moms every day: whether online, personally, or just happen to witness the kindness of a stranger, women hold up half the world and a good amount of them just so happen to wear the badge of ‘mom,’ too. One of my dear friends shows me how to be an amazing mom with every action she takes. Her kids are teens and she balances their need for independence and guidance better than anyone I know. She’s incredibly empathetic with my toddler woes, and points out ways of thinking about things that show me that I’m not alone and that there IS life on the other side of diapers! She’s supported me during a miscarriage and subsequent pregnancy, in making the difficult decision to home school, and in our decision to use cloth diapers. One of the best things I’ve seen is her opening her home to exchange students. She takes them in, introduces them to American cuisine, shows them the sights, and gets them to school, but it’s more than that. You can tell the kids become an integral part of the family, taking part in sharing recipes from their homeland, including cooking, helping clean up, do laundry, sharing favorite TV shows, and so on. In a few months time, only the difference in accent would clue you in that a particular child isn’t hers. She’s helped me consider what truly matters and encouraged all of us to see the world from a global point of view.
I admire my mom for going to college fulltime, working fulltime and taking care of her children and household. It’s been 20 years since she graduated college. I was in high school at the time. Even though it was tough for everyone, she was trying to make a better life for us. I’m a mom of 4 now, ages 1-13. I cannot imagine the sacrifice she made. I can’t imagine doing the same at this point in my life. I have always admired her for doing that.
My best friend Amy is one of the strongest woman and mother I know. She is a single mom to three boys and has been active military for over 15 years. In last 5 years she has to deploy 4 times and leave her precious children behind to defend her country. When she is at home she spends every waking moment caring for her boys. She will drive thousands of miles across Alaska in a winter storm to see her son compete in the state finals and she will stay up all night caring for a sick child. I admire her strength and her courage and finding it in her to leave her babies behind to protect others. I know she thinks she is failing her boys by leaving so often but they will see her strength when they get older.
My twin sister is an amazing mother! She had her first child at a young age and when the father decided he didn’t want to be a part of their lives she raised and cared for her daughter! She worked hard and gave my niece everything she could! Now she’s married and has another little girl and I admire her so much for her patience and grace!
I would like to nominate our donor mom for being “One Good Mom”. I found her on Hm4hb page and turns out I knew her in real life. She not only fully supplied her son with breast milk for an entire year, but supplied us 100% for almost 8 months and donated some to other Moms. She gave my daughter the most amazing gift in my eyes…and it was something no matter how bad I wanted to I couldn’t provide her with. Breastfeeding/pumping is time consuming and hard when you are feeding your own child, but to be so selfless to feed other children is amazing. There are no words great enough to show my love and appreciation to her. <3
I see so many amazing moms on a daily basis. I admire them and everything they do. One instance stands out to me at the rhonald mcdonald house a womans son was having a gran mal seizure (which my daughter also has) and she was so calm and reassuring her son that he was fine and helping him all while timing it and preparing emergency medication. I walked over to assist and after that day we bacame instant friends. She amazes me and I look up to her for a lot of different reasons.
My best friend Tina is an amazing mom. She had her first son when she was 16, and graduated high school with high honors. While In college, she married and had a daughter. Shortly after, her husband gained full custody of his 3 young children. Tina now raises them as her own, and is an amazing mom. Despite the situation, she has risen above the challenges and is raising all kids the best she can.
I see women being amazing mamas everyday! Yesterday a mama was pulling a second cart for groceries so her baby could ride inside of the cart instead of on top in it’s carseat. It’s hard sometimes to do what is right / safest instead of what is easiest.
My mom was a good mama. I had my first when I was just 16. She never condemned me for breaking her heart not graduating first. She brought me to my appointments and helped when my newborn had colic and cried 4-5 hours during the night for 4 months. That made me into the mother I am today.
I saw a friend of mine calmly tell her son ‘we don’t touch that’ as he tried grabbing a house plant. I admired her calmness and how her immediate reaction wasn’t ‘NO!’ and grabbing him. I try to do the same with my son!
My MIL is superwoman, I swear she must be! She raised 4 amazing children while teaching full time and helping milk cow morning and night. But my store is from 3 years ago, while I was pregnant with my first son I had a breast abscess that I needed emergency surgery to drain. Once we got checked into the hospital we called our parents to let everyone know what was happening. My mil had just finished a round of chemotherapy 2 days prior and was very wore down. We told her not to come (17hr drive) we would manage and she needed to take care of her self. The next morning I went into surgery, my husband scared for me and our unborn baby. Shortly after I went in, he felt a hand on his shoulder, it was his mom. She told us, she couldn’t rest while HER kids were needing her. Even now after 9 years of ongoing cancer treatments she still teaches full and spends every day she can with her kids and grandkids! She inspires me every day❤️
A moment that I saw truly amazing moms, was when my sister gave birth to my niece. My niece was born with Down syndrome which was a surprise to our family. After my sister gave birth we met our little girl. After learning that she had Down syndrome, my sister cried, “I just don’t want her life to be hard” my mom smiled at my sister and said, “welcome to motherhood, all mommas feel that way.” My sister let out a laughed and our lives have been changed in the most wonderful ever since!
My friend Kara is such a good mom. She gives her kids fun activities like sensory boxes and plays with them. She is also so good about making sure get kids get good daddy time. She sets the example of being a gif friend and is a great encourager.
I have just recently witnessed one wonderful mommy, my daughter Katie miller. She has had to have her first baby in a billi blanket, for several days of first being home, now the little one needs to do daily exercises that she really hates doing and through all of this, she is keeping her cool and doing what is best for the baby and finding time to laugh, read books, enjoy her little baby one day at a time. I know most days are very tiring, but she only shows joy and love for my precious grandbaby.
One of my friends had micro preemie triplets, who were all in the nicu for varying amounts of time, one with some very serious situations. They all came home at separate times and I was always amazed at her strength, juggling babies with needs at home with babies still in the nicu, working through setbacks, celebrating little accomplishments, and the struggle of having one of her babies stay in the nicu for 364 days. She always handled it with strength, grace, and love. She is an awesome mama, I still admire her now that her babies are home and doing well, 3 years later.
I witnessed my own mother being a great mom countless times but the memory that sticks is when she helped me after an accident. I had to go to physical therapy to learn to walk again and everyone else wanted to carry me wherever I had to go but my mom was tough and had me walk through the pain. If my mom didn’t push me through my therapy then I never would’ve walked again without her encouragement. It was hard on me but I knew it was hard on her too. I appreciate my mom so much but now that I’m a mother I appreciate her so much more.
Being a mother of an autistic child. I have seen tons of moms whose children go to the same school as my son. I am in support groups with them. I have seen these women cry I’ve seen these women seem like they’re at their wits end. They use all their energy and all are well and put all the focus into doing what they can do for their children. All they want is for their chosen to be the best and get the best they can. I never knew how hard that was until I became a mother of an autistic child myself. And having other children at home as well makes it even harder. These women any woman of a disabled chi they use all their energy and all are well and put all the focus into doing what they can do for their children. All they want is for their chosen to be the best and get the best they can. I never knew how hard that was until I became a mother of an autistic child myself. And having other children at home as well. Any woman who is a mother to a disabled child is amazing!!!
My aunt is probably one of the best moms I know. When I was at her house one time, one of her kids cut her finger and needed a bandaid. My cousin was around three or four at the time. When she was getting the bandaid on she asked how it would make it better. My aunt answered “the bandaid just protects it while God heals it.” I thought this was such a sweet and simple answer for a young girl and it struck me how great of a mom my aunt is.
Now that I am a mom to two precious kids, I realize more and more how amazing my own mother is/was as she nurtured and raised my 3 siblings and me. I have so many memories of her just being there for us – she read to us so often and my love for reading and learning came from her. I have early memories of her starting to doze off while reading book after book. I didn’t understand the tiredness that comes with being a mommy. Now I do, and I know how much easier it is to just leave the kids in front of the TV or whatever, rather than being present in the moment with the kids. Despite her tiredness, my mom took the time to lovingly read to us, day after day, month after month. That will always stick with me.
A couple of weeks ago, my best friend made a 5 hour trip with her 2year old twins alone just to come celebrate my baby shower (& weekend visit). On her way here, her baby girl vomitted all over herself, so she had to pull over and clean it up. The whole weekend she was constantly feeding them, changing them, calming their meltdowns, and playing with them all the while having adult conversations. I seen her multiple times carrying both twins, along with her huge diaper bag, in & out of the car, into places, etc. We kept telling her we didn’t know how she did it all!
i remember in high school talking to a friend who was upset because her mom treated her and her sister differently. But listening to my friend, I realized, her mom was an amazing mother. She treated her children as individuals and gave them boundaries designed for each kid. Truly amazing and what I strive for when I have future children.
I don’t know if it is acceptable to share a story about ourselves, but as May is also maternal mental health month, well… I wanted to share this as my entry:
One of the moments I’ve witnessed someone being a good mom was something I did myself. About a year ago, I finally (after ten months of suffering and denial) decided to get help and commit to healing my postpartum depression/rage.
It may seem vain to talk about myself, but if I had known before just how much it means to your child and your family when you finally admit something is wrong and then commit to getting better… Maybe I wouldn’t have waited so long.
<3
When I was growing up my mom was a single mother of 4. Everyday for her was a struggle to get by. I remember one night, watching her digging through the icebox trying to scrape together enough food to feed us all. That night she called it “finger food” night. My mom went to bed hungry that night(along with many other nights) in order to feed us kids. I’ll never forget that moment.
I watched my mom be a good mom many years ago when my sisters and I were young. She survived three brain surgeries and still managed to homeschool us, nurture us, and be a good mom to us. She’s the most loving, helpful, supportive person I know.
My best friend found out she was pregnant over a year ago and the father did not want to be in his child’s life. My friend, Cody, decided to raise her daughter on her own. She gives everything she has to her daughter and is continually trying to learn and grow as a mother. She is an amazing mother and is doing all on her own!
I used to baby-sit for a single mom who has 7 year-old triplets. Despite being in a situation where she was raising her 3 children by herself, she continued to home school them. I could see how stressful it was on her at times, living in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment, sharing a bunk bed with her kids, and taking the bus most days because their van was unreliable. Despite the difficulty, she found ways to give them amazing learning opportunities at our local zoos, museums, YMCAs, farms, nature centers & homeschooling groups. They were bright, happy and exuberant children and often a handful. It wasn’t until after I had been babysitting them a couple times a week for a few months, that I learned her health appointments she was going to while I watched the kids, were for counseling for depression after her difficult divorce. She was so strong on the outside for her children, and I really admire the sacrifices she made for them.
I was at Peter Piper Pizza with my family. This guy came in with a young man that was in wheelchair and he couldnt really control his hand movements . I would turn around every so often to check on the young guy to see If I could help since it was a buffet. As I happened to turn the young man’s plate was being push off the table before I could help a mom with her child were walking out . She had her hands full with her kids but she smile at him push the plate back in front of him & just kept on.
Long before I had my first child, I was working as a Medical Assistant in a Pediatric office. There were many different women who brought their children in for visits but one stood out to me. She was a young girl who was still in high school and had just finished her first pregnancy. She came in for the desist appointment with her beautiful twin girls. She was such a smart young girl and very nurturing to her babies. I was doubly impressed when I learned and saw first hand that she tandem breastfed her twins. I have so much admiration for her and her determination to keep up with her studies as well as take on the role of a mother at such a young age.
My sister-in-law has wanted a baby for many years but wasn’t having any success. She and her husband decided to adopt and came close several times, but the birth mother always changed her mind at the last minute. Finally, my sister-in-law signed up to be a foster mom and she was called when a little preemie boy, born at only a little over a pound, was deserted by his birth mother because she was sure he was going to die. The little boy’s prospects were pretty grim, according to doctors, but my sister-in-law visited that hospital every day. She held his tiny body across her naked chest for kangaroo care. She helped with his feeding tubes, and eventually, fed him another mother’s breast milk from a bottle. That little boy had another birth mother, and yet another mother’s milk, but it was my sister-in-law who was his true mother. She may not have given birth, but she is a great mom just the same!
I’ve witnessed a mother (cousin of my close friend) that was married to a member of the national guard and deployed during most of his young 4 daughters’ lives. She raised and homeschooled all four girls by herself while her husband was deployed overseas, then when he returned and their marriage fell apart- she kept strong for her girls. Years later when she divorced and found her soul mate she waited almost a year to introduce the new man to her daughters. I know this mother has put her daughters’ safety and well-being as her first priority. Her daughters’ have a great role model.
One instance I remember with my own mother is when she would drop whatever she was doing to come to our aid (I have three sisters) whenever there was a problem- hell or high-water- she would be there. When I had emergency surgery, she told me husband “I am on my way” and she was there. Every time I had my babies she was there. When I was little, she always did the same, no matter how little the problem was.
The moment I saw someone being a good mom, this mother at church would taker care of her little boy who did not like going into the nursery or the classroom because he was too shy being around people he didn’t know. Instead of just dropping him off Sunday after Sunday and letting someone else take care of him while he cries and screams. She takes him to a different part of the church while her husband listens to the Pastor speak. She’s been doing this for over a year and I’m just impressed that she faithfully comes to church and wants her son to have great values even if it means sacrificing her time to sit in and listen to the Pastor speak his message with her husband. She loves her little boy to the point of caring more about his comfort and happiness than her own. And to me that is a good mom and sacrificial person. He will thank her someday 🙂
While some have a hard time with their Mother-in-Laws. Mine is incredible. I witness her being a good Mom all the time by giving her full support to her kids all the time and always being non-judemental. In my family, when we think something is a dumb decision, or we don’t agree with a parenting choice, we say it! But all it really gets is hard feelings. She is a great example. OH! AND she bought me all my cloth diapers with my 1st baby and some extras with my 2nd baby so she really is the best!
A good friend of mine has had a roller coaster with her son Kipten. When he was born he stayed in the NICU for weeks and throughout his infancy/beginning toddler years, he struggled with severe reflux, failure to strive, and other medical issues. They were in and out of the hospital. Her husband is in the Army and had to work a tough schedule like most military members, so she had to handle the appointments and struggle of being a new mom alone most of the time. Every time I talked to her she would keep her head up high, stay positive even in the worst situations, and show her love for her son every moment of the day. Seeing her as a parent stay strong in terrible times and love her son unconditionally, made me realize how strong moms really are. As a young mom, she has set an amazing example for me.
I have a friend who was determined to breastfeed her baby boy, and she was doing great, then when the doctor was doing weight checks, he wasn’t gaining weight, so this mom sacrificed he wants and desires to breastfeed so so could do what was right for her baby and get him the nutrition, and calories he needed!!! Great mom!!!
When I was 15 years old, my father died from cancer. I had 3 younger sisters. My mom was 42 years old. She was incredibly strong after he died. She fixed up and sold our house and moved us across the country to be near her family. Then she went to work full time. Somehow she managed to maintain the house and continued to support us in our school and activities. She always seemed strong and we felt safe. As an adult she confessed that at times she did not know what she would do. But she hid it well. Now that I am grown and have my own kids, I can’t imagine going through that. Go mom!
My mom is an awesome mom. I was hit in the mouth in college by a softball. She dropped everything she was doing to drive an hour and a half to meet me at the dentist. She stayed with my as the positioned my teeth back in place. It was great to have her there to hold my hand and encourage me to be brave.
I have witness many great mom throughout my life. My mom was definitely one of them. We grew up very poor and I have seen so many sacrifice that she made in order for me and my sibling to have enough to eat, even if it meant that she was going to miss a meal. I have an older brother who is mentally handicap and witness other people (especially other mothers) who ask her why she won’t just give him up to the state because he is so difficult to care for. She just smile and nicely say “He is my child, why would I want to give him up,” Her patient and demeanor demonstrate the best characteristic that any mother should have. May she RIP.
When I was growing up, I babysat for a woman with 4 boys. I just remember her laughing with her boys about everything. That made such a huge impression on me. I knew that when I became a mother I just wanted to be able to have fun with my kids!
My friend Ali is a great mother and I admire nearly everything she does. She donates breastmilk to Moms in need and is so full of great advice and willing to help anyone.
It’s not a particular time or one person but when I see mom’s who don’t give in to all of their kids wants while at the store and they stand their ground it makes me really happy. It’s so easy to just give kids what they want when they want it but to teach them that they can’t always get what they want right then and their is far more valuable to them. It’s an important life skill that I don’t think many kids have these days leaving them entitled and spoiled.
Yesterday I encountered a mother with her 5 month old daughter who was similar size to my 5 month old 5% in weight but just as happy as could be. She had beautiful bright blue eyes and a gorgeous smile. I commented how beautiful she was to her mother who replied, “She’s just small, she’s my first baby who’s had trouble with weight.” I told her all of my children were smaller on the scale too, but we have to have the tiny ones in order to have a full scale to go off of. The mom then left to the restroom to latch the baby on and came back to her table. She was a great mom for continuing to nurse her baby against all odds and pressures to give baby formula. For having the spirit to nurse in public and face the evil eye just to give her baby the best start she could give.
my sister is the most amazing mom. My nephew has had some scary health issues that has forced him to have brain surgery, twice. Now they have one more issue to fix in his brain and they don’t know how they are going to do it. Through it all my sister has remained a pillar of strength. She has never showed weakness and has always been strong for my nephew. She has kept him well adjusted through these challenges and hasn’t let her fear impact him. If I can be half the mom my sister is I will be so proud.
My step sister is an amazing mom. Recently , I’ve been having concerns about my daughter and her speech, and learning. My step sister, doesn’t live anywhere close to me, but since telling her about my concerns, she calls me every day and talks to me about how things went during the day with my daughter. Both of our daughters learn the same way and she has been helping me understand how to help my daughter learn. When I got upset or thought that I was failing as a mom, she said ” don’t you say that. you are an amazing mom, everyone is different. you have to figure out how to help her learn. you can do it. I know you can and she knows you can.” I have to thank her for being an amazing mom and helping to me be an amazing one just like her.
My good friend is mother to two. The oldest is A 12 year old girl who is awesome and cares so much for others. Becca is remarried but has worked very hard to remain a great relationship with her daughters father, having him over for family dinner and holidays. This was very impressive to me. One day the young girl became angry with her mother for some insignificant reason and yelled that she wanted to live with her father. After the girl spent the day with her father she came home and the earlier incident was forgotten. and her mother took her to her room and said that they needed to start packing her up. The daughter was upset that her mother was insisting that she stick with this decision, but the mother called the daughter out and said that surely the girl would never have said something just to hurt her mother. She told her daughter that of course her daughter knows not to try to hurt others with her words. This resonated with me as such an important lesson. To discipline with love is so hard.
This might sound a little weird, but the thing that stuck with me most was this:
When I was a teenager I was in a Walmart bathroom and in the stall next to me was a woman with her son, who was probably two or three. He was clearly potty training and she was having to coach him on going potty. I can’t remember their exact conversation, but she was so encouraging and after he was done she made a point to tell him how proud she was. You could just hear the love in her voice. 🙂 I kept thinking “When I’m a mom I want to be like her.”.
I witness my own mother being a good mom and grandmother on a daily basis. Wether it’s taking a vacation day to watch a sick grandkid, making a meal, opening her home, or providing emotional support….she’s a GREAT mom and grandma EVERYDAY.
While in Target I saw a young mother with a toddler who was not happy 🙁 The mother sat on the floor and soothed him until he calmed down. Loving on him and using calming words to defuse him. Even though she was stressed and seemed embarrassed (red faced) she showed him nothing but love and calm. After he was ready to go, they got up and continued shopping. I was about to leave but stopped at customer service first and got her a gift card and wrote ” you are doing a GREAT job!! get yourself something nice!” I sent my son over with it saying “Excuse me this must be yours” And we left. 🙂
Just this last week, after years of struggling with infertility, and then years waiting to be chosen by a birth mom, a dear friend finally became a mommy for the first time. Not only does she love her new baby boy, but it’s been amazing to see the love and care she has shown to her baby’s birth mom, who had ended up pregnant in the midst of an abusive relationship. My friend has a desire to maintain some degree of a relationship with the birth mom because she appreciates so much the gift she is giving her and her husband, and she wants her to continue to be a part of her son’s life instead of trying to ignore or forget where he came from. So many people are quick to judge those who put their babies up for adoption, but my friend truly cares about and values her, and it is beautiful. So, in the end, this is a story about two good moms–one who decided to give her son the gift of being adopted by a wonderful couple who she knows will love him and give a life she isn’t able to provide right now, and one who is giving her son the gift of appreciating and loving the woman who brought him into the world and into her arms.
One memory I have of someone being a good mom… I follow a FB page of a woman who’s son was hit in the head with a tree branch and suffered severe brain damage. I’ve never met this mom, but I so admire her strength and the amazing mother she is. She posts about her daily fight to help her son get better. Little by little he is making baby steps, but he has a long way to go. He is her only child, and in an instant he went from a typical-functioning two year old to a toddler with special needs. Her posts are real, marked with raw emotions and the good/bad/sometimes really funny parts of their days. Every time I read her post I admire not only her strength, but the strength of all the moms of children with special needs. I love that she shares these parts of her life with the one million people that follow her FB page. It is such a good reminder that life can change in an instant and to be ever grateful of each day with your loved ones. I really admire her, each and every post I read makes me think, “Wow, how does she do it?!” Go TeamBoom 😉
My sister-in-law is a great mom. She has a little one and another on the way! Her husband is career Navy and currently out to sea. She successfully moved across the country and got their new home setup and is now waiting for the new arrival and for her husband to get back home. She has always been a great sport and never seems to be discouraged.
When I think of my mother I always think of a place of comfort, protection, safety, and all enduring love. There is a local mother who sticks in my mind when I think of how I want to be with my children. This mom made a huge sacrifice to protect her children from the unthinkable. There was an F-3 tornado that ripped through the area. While home alone with her sons she put them in the bathtub and shielded them with her body. Both boys survived with little to no injuries while their mother suffered injuries that resulted in her being paralyzed from the waist down. She became a hero in my eyes. While we don’t all make that huge of a sacrifice, I believe that every day we make sacrifices to give our children the best. This has inspired me to cherish every moment, the good and bad ones, with my children. Also, it makes me thank God every day for the blessings that he has given our family. My hope is that I never find myself in the situation that she did; however, if I do, I truly hope I have the strength and courage to protect my children as she did.
My sister tried for three years to conceive. All of the kids in my family have a blood clotting condition that makes us high risk pregnancies. My sister is a great mom because of how hard she worked to get her son. He is a great, and very loved little guy. My sister then became an even better mom in my eyes when she had no judgment toward me for choosing adoption over trying to have a biological child. My son had never had the word “adopted” added to any title he has been given. Her love for my guy and his other cousins makes her an amazing mom.
I have always wondered if I would be a good mother. I have learned from the best, so I should have no doubts. My mother has willingly gave up many things for her kids. When I say kids, I don’t mean myself and my sister, I mean the hundreds of children that my mom has taught over the past 30 years. Over the years I have witnessed a pouring of unconditional love and patience. It takes a lot to be a mom, but to be a mother takes a whole lot more! I love you, Mom.
My friend is a military spouse and has been a terrific mom to two kiddos through deployments. She has given me advice and help with my own son and been there for me no matter what despite her own struggles. To me she defines a great mom.
While pregnant almost 2 years ago, I was in Target’s shoe section looking around. When I saw a boy in the clothing section across from me. Bright blue shirt, glasses, khaki pants. One of his arms was significantly shorter, and smaller than the other. He was picking out clothes. And he got frustrated trying to reach a shirt he wanted. I realized I was staring, and went back to looking around so I wouldn’t seem rude.
But I did hear his mother. She was telling him that he could reach it, and she kept on coaxing. He started to have a tantrum. I moved on to go find my husband & kids. We crossed paths again when I went to check out.
This stuck with me though because just a few weeks later I received the news that the child I was carrying had severe limb differences. I often think about that mother & son and what a good mom she must be. How encouraging she was. How much patience she had. I think about what struggles they might deal with on a day to day bases. I wonder what her story must be. I think about how I should’ve went over and started a conversation like I rather people do with my daughter & I.
A friend of mine has a 3yr old with a severe speech delay. He often gets frustrated, especially in new environments. She always keeps her cool and talks him through everything. I don’t know how she does it!
My own mom was the very best when I was in the hospital after my youngest son was born. I had a major infection as a result from my c-section and nearly died. While i was in the hospital for a week my mom was taking care of my children, my dog and husband. She worked during the day and stayed with me at night. I had been at the hospital for several days when my new baby was admitted to the same hospital with a fever for fear he had an infection as well. My mother took me to the children’s ER where my baby was and wheeled me three floors to his room when he was finally admitted. That night she stayed with my son at my request and only left to get me through out the night to come see my baby. When I was discharged she picked me up, fed me and then wheeled me to my son’s room where I stayed the night until he was discharged. Unable to hold my own baby for the next 10 weeks, my mother helped me to bond with me son by keeping him near me and staying with us while he laid down with me. She uprooted her entire life to be able to help me. In those weeks I learned what a mother’s love is truly capable of.
The mom I will be talking about is a grandma that adopted her disabled granddaughter. Every week she comes into the therapy office where my son goes (he is autistic and has a sensory disorder among other things). Every week she gets her granddaughter out of the van. Manages to get her into the stroller and come inside all by herself. Something as simple as opening the door for her means a lot to her. She is always so kind and upbeat. Once she gets into the office she tries lifting up the sweet girls confidence. The little girl is always scared to leave her grandmother to go do her therapy but she is amazing with her. She has such grace, patience and wisdom. I hope one day I can be as amazing to my children as she is to her granddaughter
The most amazing mother I have ever met is my husband’s foster mother. She never had any children of her own but she sure worked hard to be the best mother a child could ask for to my husband. And a wonderful grandmother to my children.
My sister is an awesome mom and grandma. She works full time to support my adult niece and her 2 grandbabies. She watches the babies so my niece can work, she works with her grandson because he has speech delays, she is just a very strong person who goes above and beyond to be an awesome mom.
My mom wasn’t always my mom. She was first my family counselor. I was in an abusive “adoptive home” when I first met her. I was 12 at the time. This family was supposed to be my forever family. This family was supposed to be everything I had been dreaming about after having been raised in an abusive foster home for 6 years.(I was pulled out of my biological home at the age of 5 due to abuse.) Despite my mom’s efforts as a counselor to help me(and this adoptive family) work through the situation, they ended up rejecting me and I went onto another “adoptive home.” My mom continued on as my counselor through this next home situation as well. For the first few months things seemed better, but things got verbally abusive between the mother and I, and the situation resulted in yet another rejection. The state was trying to decide what to do with me next. Do they put me in a group home and let me age out of foster care or do they try a third adoptive home even though they are struggling to find a family who will take a 14 year old child that has been rejected by two families? My mom(still my counselor) knew that my chances of finding a family after failing in two adoptive homes at the age of 14 was slim to none, so she stepped in. She asked me if I would come live with her(and her husband- my dad.) They worked things out so I could come live with her and she and my dad adopted me when I was 15 years old. She saved me from a horrible possible future and for that I am forever grateful. She is my hero and the most wonderful mom anyone could ever ask for.
I see so many people being good mom’s it’s hard to just say one story. I love that everyone has their own style. Some breastfeed, some bottle, etc. but everyone loves their kids.
I love to watch my sister parent her two kids. She has a way of calmly watching them learn from a distance, and when they fall she waits for them to react. Her calm presence has influenced her kids and they are calm independent children who know their Mom is alway there if they need her. I’ve tried emulate this in my own parenting the best I can.
My mom was a single mom raising my brother and I alone, She worked every day and never gave up, even when it was hard and she felt like she couldn’t do it again. I feel like this within itself is her being a great mother. Now, she is helping me raise my son, as I am a single mother. I admire her so much.
One GREAT mom, that has stuck with me, was at a car seat check I did once. I’m a CPST. Well I have this one pregnant mom come in, she was already IN LABOR! I tried to tell her that we could reschedule so she could get to the hospital. She refused to leave without the full check. She was having contractions, but trying to hide it to learn about car seat safety and insisted she wasn’t going until she KNEW her baby was safe! That is a great mom to me. Knew she was in labor, about to have her baby but not willing to go until she knew she would give him the best and keep him safe in the car. She was very cooperative and still asking questions despite labor!
When my mom and dad seperated my mom was a single mom of 6, she had been a stay at home mom for 20+ years. Now that I’m a mother myself I admire my mom so much for what she went through. She worked so hard and provided for all of us and made sure we all knew it was not our fault, that we were loved and that everything would be okay. Looking back at all she went through and how strong she was I admire her so much. She was, is and has always been an amazing mom and I am so lucky to call her mine.
I have a sister-in-law who constantly shows me what a great mother is. She is so kind and patient with her boys. She has experienced a lot of adversity in her life. About 4 years ago she was pregnant with a sweet baby girl. She was due in August. When she went into labor and was being monitored at the hospital, it was discovered that her baby had passed away. She was delivered stillborn with a true knot in her umbilical cord. We attended the memorial service and watched her and her husband bear this burden.
About 2 years later, she announced that she was pregnant. There was a lot of excitement along with anxiety. When their second baby was born, a boy, all seemed well. But after delivery, it became clear that something was wrong. He was diagnosed with his esophagus attached to his lungs instead of his stomach. At just minutes old, he was flown by helicopter to a hospital two hours away. As soon as my sister-in-law was cleared to leave, she drove to see her baby. He had undergone surgery and would then spend three months recovering in a hospital three hours away from his parents home. His mom lived in the Ronald McDonald house, pumping and sitting by his side. His dad spent the week teaching at the local high school, driving every Friday to see his son for the weekend. Their little boy healed and was able to return home during Christmas. He is now 2 1/2 years old. He is such a sweet boy. His mother, my sister-in-law continues to deal with the effects of his surgery. The sensitivity of his esophagus causes him to cough very forcefully and through up daily.
Through all of this, my sister-in-law was such a great example. She helped me to be a better mother to my children. Often times, I think of her and wonder how she endured. She and her husband have since had another healthy baby boy and are pregnant with their fourth child. I am so grateful for her friendship and influence in my life.
My mom is great. It’s a complicated situation to understand and explain but I was taken in by my biological aunt and uncle who’ve been my parents full time since I was 5. She’s my mom and she’s great. We’re not blood related but she has rubbed off on me so much!!
I think the most inspirational thing I’ve witnessed from a mom was when my own mom raised me and my sibling. She worked her butt off daily but yet always had time to cook us meals and help us with homework. Not to mention all the other unnecessary things she didn’t have to do.. I love my mom with all my soul and value her even more everyday.
I’ve witnessed the person who molded me into who I am today being the strongest mother one could imagine. She has adopted 2 kids and fostered over 50. Her strength shined through the most when she discovered she had cancer and would need multiple surgeries. Through all of her illnesses and surgeries she still found happiness in her day and made sure each child had her full love and attention.
It’s hard to pick just one time I saw my mom being a good mom. She sacrificed a career to stay home with my sister and me. She endured 13 years of abuse from my father, both physical and emotional, yet always put on a strong face. She went through a bitter divorce because she wanted better for us. She worked very hard that year for Christmas to get us both things that we really badly wanted, even though she went without herself so that she could afford it. She decided at the age of 39 to finally go to college, and balanced raising us with schoolwork as well as a part time job. She graduated (with honors) with a bachelors degree in psychology so she could help others. She is the reason that I am strong, that I am compassionate, that I am courageous. She is the mom I aspire to be, and she is a GOOD mom.
When I was in high school I would cut school during the lunch hour to get fast food. I saw a woman begging for money outside of the restaurant and struck up a convo with her. She told me she had been homeless and was hungry and just wanted to get a dollar burger to share with her young daughter. I gave her my lunch and bought her daughter a kids meal. She ate a few fries and gave her daughter both of the meals. So selfless even when you could tell she was starving. That’s when I realized how much love a mother can truly have for a child, even during some of the hardest times of their lives. It has always stuck with me, I grew up in a home where children were an afterthought. I figured that’s what it was like for everyone, she showed me what a good mom is and I am thankful for that.
We spend a lot of time at all children’s hospital. Last time we were inpatient there was a Mom there with a nicu baby. She had a 7 month old little girl and was adopting her nephew out of the nicu. This woman was amazing. She nurses on demand for her daughter and pumps every two hours for her little boy into he’s able to nurse. She was homeschooling her older two inside the nicu and at the Ronald McDonald House. She told me she wanted the best for all her babies and if that meant being exhausted and only showering weekly she was OK with it.
Last August, I went to Mommycon with my best friend, Ashley, and her almost.t 1 year old. Her baby – like mine before her – hated the car seat and cried for most of the 3 hour trip down. But what struck me was Ashley, driving the car but constantly soothing the baby. Telling her “you are safe, and loved, and we will be stopping soon.” In the most soothing, sweet voice I’ve ever heard. I never had the will power to soothe my first like that, because I was too frazzled by her tears, but watching Ashley helped me learn to soothe my second while in the car in a way that’s made car trips much less stressful. She’s a great mom and I am better for knowing her.