Thursday, May 14, 2009

Being a Mom

I guess with this week being Mother's day and everything I have thought a lot about this job that I have had for the last 21 years, the job of being a mom.

Do you ever wonder if you are doing what you should be as a mother? No stress or anything, it is just up to you if you have taught them what you need to so that they are good citizens and do something amazing with their life. On top of that, as a mother in the gospel, there seems to be more stress about it. These questions come to my mind. Will my sons go on a mission? Will my daughters be married in the temple? With the worldly temptations overcome any of my children and lead them astray? Have I taught them enough to overcome all of the problems that will face them in life? Do they feel loved and cherished and do they treat others with respect?

I can't imagine not being a mother, but it is such a load to carry. My kids are such good kids, but that doesn't mean that they won't make wrong choices in the future that might be detrimental to their lives.

I know, I know, you are saying you have to let them make their own choices and learn their own lessons, but do you know how hard it is to do that when you want them to be happy and make the important right choices. I am amazed at the great wonderful mothers out there that have many, many children and still seem to have a great grip on being a great mother.

I was telling my older kids today, that my paycheck has been my children and the lives that they lead. We all know that " there is no greater work that can be done than within the walls of our own homes."

One thing for sure is that being a mother sure makes me appreciate my mother that much more and all that we put her through while we were growing up. I guess it is a good thing that we have mothers, but it is sure hard some times to be one and be the kind that we need to be for our children.

13 comments:

Heatherlyn said...

I certainly appreciate my parents more and more the older I get!

It's very motivating for me to know that if I don't really do the best that I know how I might have regrets and I don't want to have regrets so I try very hard! I hope that my children develop testimonies and that they invest in themselves! I know some really good mothers who have had the most difficult children once the kids become teenagers. I ache for those Mom's!!! The feelings you expressed are pretty common to mothers!

Just SO said...

I daily feel like I am not the mother that my kids need me to be! It's so hard.

Lara Neves said...

It is all really hard. I watch the heartache my mom is going through with two brothers who aren't active and I never want to have to deal with that. And yet I always feel my weaknesses when it comes to being a mom!

Amanda said...

Just the fact that you think about these things makes me think that you have been very conscious of these things as your children are grown. It is ultimately up to them. You will always be blessed for all you have done though, and I'm certain that your children appreciate you.

Fiauna said...

Well said. Too true. If I'd paused for a moment to ponder on just how big a job it is to raise a human being to adulthood (and beyond) I would have really thought twice about my qualifications to do so.

I love being a mom, but it sure is overwhelming.

susette said...

One thing I have learned through our recent trials is that the Lord does have a hand in all of this. It's not up to me though to make everyone's decisions. It's so hard to sit back and watch the choices that my children make sometimes. I can only teach, guide, encourage and love and the rest is up to them.

Another certain thing is when we think and plan, that doesn't always come to play out the way we think it will.

Life is just hard sometimes and the real test is if we will continue moving forward and striving to do our best with the challenges we are faced with.

Audrey said...

I still have these random moments where I look at my kids and think, "wow, I'm their mom? When did that happen?"

Anonymous said...

I love the paycheck thing. Can I use that?

It's interesting how we all seem to have the same thoughts about our kids. I guess worrying is just part of the 'job'.

alpinekleins said...

I think that PAYDAY comes at the most unexpected and unexplainable moments. You never know for sure when it's going to show up, but it's always welcome and sometimes the surprise is the best part of being a mom.

tammy said...

Amen.

-Melissa- said...

I love what you said about the paycheck thing. Being a mom is definitely a BIG job.

Anna said...

It's something I worry about all the time. I take encouragement from my grandmother who raised 11 children. There were definite bumps in the road, but for their 50th anniversary every single one of their posterity that was old enough got to go do a special temple session with them. Talk about a PAYDAY! I only hope I can be a fraction of the woman she is.

Kristi T. said...

Oh thanks for the extra load of stress. Yes I often think of those questions and they scare me to death. I just feel like I never do enough and I need to somehow be better and do more for them. I just hope I can show my kids the kind of love you have shown yours. Your a great mother and you handle the pressure GREAT! Good job at being a mom. I have alot to learn from you!