What Does it Take?

What does it take to be a good mom? It's not about being perfect.

It's not about having the house put together, meals on the table, or clothes that are always clean. Those things are nice, but they don't make you a good mom. Now, of course, I find myself arguing with everyone about keeping the house clean. ( I need to work on this myself).

Being a good mom is about loving your kids and wanting the best for them. It's about remembering their birthdays and helping with homework, or cheering at their games and listening when they need advice.

It's about being kind and encouraging, even when you're frustrated or overwhelmed, or just plain tired. It's about making sure they know that they're loved by more than just their parents — by grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, friends, and neighbors — so that they can see themselves reflected in all those people around them who care about them so much. Being a good mom is about holding your child when they fall down, wiping away their tears when they're hurt, and celebrating with them when they succeed. It's about listening to them — really listening — and encouraging them to be who they want to be, even if it's different than you'd hoped for. I have had countless times where I knew I was not being the best mom I could be, but I learned to forgive myself and move on. The most important thing is that my children know how much I love them and that they know how much I want them to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life.