After being together for almost 12 years, my baby girl and I have history now. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned about being a mom.
- I am the thermostat for my house. If I have a funky attitude, everyone else will too. I try and start the day calm and pleasant because it sets the stage on how everyone else’s day will go. This means doing things like gathering clothes, deciding on breakfast and packing backpacks as much as possible the night before to avoid frantically searching for things the next morning when we are trying to get out of the house. This cuts down on me getting frustrated and yelling and screaming, which leads to my daughter starting the day upset.
- Our home is a safe place. The world beats up on people enough. I strongly believe when you walk through the doors of your home, you should feel valued and loved. You should feel free to be you. Your home should be a reflection of heaven, not hell. No one wants to hear they aren’t good enough or how stupid they are. Within the walls of your house you should be built up, not torn down.
- Meals don’t matter. How many meals do you actually remember growing up? My guess is you probably only remember the really good ones or the really bad ones. In the grand scheme of life, what you serve for a meal isn’t nearly as important as you spending time together. The fellowship is more important than the food.
- Honesty is the best policy. I don’t lie to my daughter. If she is wrong, I tell her. If she is about to walk out of the house looking crazy, I tell her. Topics that make me uncomfortable, I discuss anyway. I don’t want her getting the street version of things or trying to figure out sex or relationships through conversations with her equally unknowledgeable friends. I am determined she is not going to be one of those people who you look at and say, “Now, why didn’t that child’s momma tell her…”
- Love is a verb. Even though I tell my daughter every day that I love her, it is more important that I show her. That means sometimes putting down my phone or laptop to listen to her chatter about what to some may seem like silly things. It means laughing with her and sharing secrets. It means bragging about her to others when she can overhear. It means protecting her and listening. Is showing her love always convenient or fun? No. Is it always worth it? Yes.
At the end of the day, I’ve learned my presence means more to her than presents ever will. What lessons have you learned about being a mom?
