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Becoming like our mothers by mimicking their best qualities
As mothers, it is so easy to feel and truly believe ourselves inadequate. Being the best mother is constantly tugging at our hearts every moment of every day. Additionally, our worst nightmare lies somewhere around the idea that we might become too much like our own mothers. However, how can we know what is best in this world where social media, advertising, and even our friends are full of differing ideas and opinions about the better qualities of a mother. There are so many differing ideas about what motherhood should look like in our family and home? At best, we are left confused and constantly questioning ourselves. Rarely, if ever do we as mothers feel as though we have mastered motherhood. Yet, we often, in not always feel the failure. So let’s take a moment and talk about becoming a mother.
When I Became a Mother
When I became a mother, I remember writing one evening after a long night of attempting to get my newborn to sleep. Someone asked me earlier that day, “what are the things you feel your own mother did best for you?” Brilliant! What are the things I distinctly remember about my mother that left a lasting and positive imprint on my own mind and heart? What motherly attributes and qualities does she have that inspire me as I begin my own journey into motherhood? After thinking about these questions, I made a list. Check it out below.
Finding Inspiration in your Mother
Now I know as adults we often tease and joke about how we don’t want to end up becoming like our own mothers. However, recognizing the better qualities of our own mothers, and allowing ourselves to adopt or mimicking those better qualities may very well be what is best for our own children too. At the very least, our mothers can be a great source of inspiration to us. Therefore, looking at our own mothers is a wonderful place to start as we search for our own best motherly attributes.
As you read my own little inspirations from my mother below, consider the motherly attributes you admire in your own mother. How can you incorporate them in your own motherhood experience? What legacy has your mother given you? Finally, what memories do you wish your children to have of you when they are grown? Below, I have shared just a handful of things in response to these questions.
Five Amazing Qualities of my Mother that Inspire Me to Become like Her
- First, my mother always has a cheerful disposition. There is rarely a time when she is not smiling when asked a question of how she is doing.
- Second, my mother is a simple woman, easy to make happy. She is content. This is a wonderful characteristic. My mother has very little drama in her life. She doesn’t stress about things. My mother keeps things simple. And there is certainly no need to over complicate things in our increasingly complicated world. Life is too short for stuff like that.
- My mother had special, sweet names, endearing names for all three of us little ones. These names stuck around through adolescence and even to this day, I hear her call me by my sweet endearing name and it fills my heart with confidence because I know I am her daughter.
- My mother came in to my room every morning to wake me and greet me, sweetly and quietly. Yes, even as I grew older she continued to do wake me this way.
- She was also always home when I returned from school. Every day she asked me the same question, “How was your day?” There were times I shared. Other times I didn’t. However, there was no better thing than to come home from school, knowing she would be there, ready to look up, smile, and ask me about my day.
- My mother has always been up with the sunrise. She wakes up at 5:30am and gets her book. Then she goes to couch in the living room. She reads for an hour before doing anything else. I so desperately wanted to spend time with her without my brothers around. So when I was in second grade I convinced her to let me get up at 5:30am to sit with her on the couch and read. I remember sitting next to her, (or at times on the floor by the heater), reading a chapter a day. It was our time together, and I couldn’t wait to share with her what I had read. I read my first full length novel by doing this. I will always cherish this special time with my mother.
So, What Does it Take to Become like our Mothers?
Becoming like our mothers takes small, simple acts with giant, lasting impacts! Mothers! It doesn’t have to be fancy organic Bento box school lunches or color-coded bins for toys. Just let the qualities and attributes you remember and love within your own mother inspire you. As we approach yet another Mother’s Day, begin thinking of what things you are already doing for your own little ones. Think of things that they might be inspired by when they become parents. Just a smile, an endearing name, a soft voice in the morning, quality time sharing a hobby or interest—these are just some of the things our little ones will remember most when they themselves become parents. And this will be part of your legacy to them as a mother.
Have a truly wonderful Mother’s Day!
You’re stories of you and your mom are so sweet. 💕
Thanks Rachel! 🙂