Brynlee and I- July 2012
Why are mothers important?
Let me start off by saying that nothing I write, can answer this question to the level that it deserves. You simply can't understand the importance of motherhood until you have a child of your own. This may be blunt, but it's true. You can come to a better understanding of motherhood by recognizing the sacrifice and love that your own mother has for you. Take a moment to think about the top five reasons you love your mother. You got them? Okay, now that a moment to think about the 10 reasons your mother loves you. Women have innate characteristics that allow us to be exceedingly loving and nurturing towards children. While these characteristics are things that you are born with, they don't always show right away. Skills such as teaching, listening, disciplining, and patience aren't developed over time. This is why mothers are so important! I will say this probably a dozen times throughout this post, but there is no job where we give more of ourselves then motherhood. Mothers bring joy, life, love, discipline, and structure to a household in a different way then fathers.
How can I be a better mother?
This is another hard question to answer- no matter how awesome of a momma you may be, there is always room for improvement. Remember though that nobody is perfect, "motherhood is the ideal opportunity for lifelong learning". We learn from our success and our failures. Don't beat yourself up if you don't have the best brownies at the bake sale, or aren't able to enroll your child in gymnastics, Italian lessons, and piano all at one time.
Start with small goals. First, go through a week and write down areas of improvement that come to your mind maybe things like patience, discipline, playing together, story time, outside fun, and scripture study/prayer. Once you have a list just pick one item that you want to work on for next week. Second, make an action plan for what you want to accomplish. So, if your goal is to improve your family scripture study and prayer start by making a set time and place where this will happen. Make a small poster and put in on your fridge. You could even make a chart that will say the scripture that you will be studying. This allows for children who are old enough to search it out for themselves prepare to the family study. After you have completed a week of this goal evaluate how you have done; where did you improve and what still needs to be fine tuned. Then go back to your original list and pick a second one. Now, here's the tricky part. Even though you are starting a new goal, you still need to be working on the previous one's. This get's easier with time. Let's be honest, one week isn't going to get anyone into the habit of anything!
Personal Application
Before I had Brynlee I don't think I could comprehend the love that I could have for my children. Of course I thought I would love them unconditionally, but I don't think I realized the magnitude of that love and how it would change me as an individual.
One thing that struck me as being really important throughout this week was understanding the fact that even though I love Brynlee with every part of my heart there is someone who loves her even more than me; Heavenly Father. God has entrusted me to take care, love, and teach His precious child. How great of an responsibility is that! There isn't a better or more important job that I can do then be a great mother to my daughter and example to my children. During our group discussion it was mentioned that when we have children we are making a covenant, or promise, to the Lord that we would raise them in accordance with His commandments. Through modern day revelation we have been blessed with specific counsel to the rearing of children and the running of our families. Please take a moment to read The Family: A Proclamation to the World and gain a better understanding of the blessings of family life, as well as what we can do to be better husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers.
I'm not going to sugar-coat it; motherhood can be hard. It is the hardest and most rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life. I can only imagine how much more fun it will be (along with the trials) as we add more little spirits to our family. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for allowing me to raise this sweet baby and for providing us with guidance in areas in which we can improve.
Lastly, I would like to take a moment to touch on a phrase that has bothered me- "I'm just a mom". When people ask what I do I will always proudly say that I am a mother. That is my first and foremost job on this earth. No material success can take the place of a happy home where there is guidance, love, and respect. Let's all try to develop a better sense of worth in our motherhood. For those of you who aren't yet mothers, take a moment to evaluate where you are in life and what your goals our. You can't ever be completely prepare for parenthood, but you can begin yourself spiritually, physically, and emotional to one day be a mother.
Scripture Reference
Alma 57:21
Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
The value of motherhood is beyond measurable. Think about it, for every great president, scientist, teacher, humanitarian, and mother, there is a mother who stood beside them to support them. The impact that mother's have on their children can be either an uplifting or devastating one. The power of our actions, words, and even thoughts impact the lives of our children. They look at us everyday of their lives while they are growing up and see the things we do and the words we say. We can either us our influence for good or for bad. We need to be mindful of the things that we say, even when we think that our children aren't listening. The influence of a loving and nurturing mother can break down barriers to communication, heal broken hearts, and unite families forever.
Sources
- "Today's Family: The Eternal Role of Mothers"
- "The Importance of Motherhood Among Women in the Contemporary United States"
- "Successful Marriage and Families" (Ch. 2)- Hawkins
- "The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood"
- Dr. Laura's "In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms"
- "Your Greatest Challenge"- President Hinckley
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