I have invited 6 moms with children age 7 months-32 years old to take part in this questionnaire. Mothering is more than giving birth as one mother has an adopted child and mothering isn’t always smiles as one mother has lost her son shortly after birth. Mothering is something very special, emotional and loads of hard work and I would bet it doesn’t end when your child graduates, gets married or even sleeps through the night!
These moms are all special to me and I’m proud to have them impacting the way I mother my daughter. I appreciate all their emotions and heart filled answers.
1)How old are you children/child?
– 7 months NH
-Children are 3 years and twins at 5 months. LA
-4.5, 2.5 and pregnant LB
-I have 2 boys (16 and 18) years old. MB
– 18 3/4 SD
-23 and 32 LM
2) My family is…
-My everything NH
– One of the most important things in my life. LA
-Growing LB
-Better together. MB
-Amazing SD
-The most important thing to me LM
3) Bedtimes are…
– Snuggles, warmth and love NH
-Bedtimes are a relief and often don’t come fast enough LA
-Late LB
-A time when I have the best and deepest, most meaningful conversations with my kids…still my favourite time of the day.MB
-Random….(He’s almost 19….and puts himself to bed. If I were still in charge he would get the “proper” amount of sleep needed for this age group.) SD
-Early and getting earlier it seems LM
4) meal times are…
-Messy and fun. Experimentation NH
-Loud and chaotic LA
-Interesting with 20% on the floor LB
-Far too rushed with work and sports schedules but strive to eat together MB
-Regular, we like to sit down as a family and eat dinner together SD
-A time to reconnect LM
5) One mommy moment that stands out to me is…
-When baby first kissed me NH
-Hearing my son talk to his sisters and telling them all the things they will do together when they are bigger. LA
-When I gave birth to my son and felt an instant, overwhelming bond you can only understand when you are a mother. LB
-Earlier this year my 18 year old shared with me what he was submitting for his personal grad write up in his high school yearbook…it was a tribute to me as his mom and what I have meant to him…he fell into me crying as I read it…which in turn had me crying…great pair we are!!! MB
-The day our son arrived. I felt so happy and amazed that this incredible child would be my son. SD
-Camping trips singing in the car, being there through all their childhood illnesses and hurts; emotional and physical ones, first days of school, last days of school, dinners that flopped (I am remembering the failed salmon loaf recipe), pants that were too short, too long, too old, too loose, too tight or too great to take off to wash, friends and then girlfriends/boyfriends, soccer and scouts and blue hair dye and laughter and tears and all the things that make up a life LM
6) How often to do you recall your birthing experience?
-Never, I don’t remember it NH
-Whenever a friend has a baby LA
-Almost everyday- LB
-On my kids birthdays, whenever a friend or family member has a baby, at milestones my kids have reached over the years…and sometimes when I walk into their rooms late at night and see these young men sound asleep in their beds…I kneel by their bedside and say a prayer of thankfulness for them. MB
-Never SD
-Occasionally, always on my children’s birthdays I tell them the story of their birth LM
7) How do you feel on your child’s birthday?
–I don’t know yet! NH
-I feel excited and reflective LA
-It’s different for each child. because my son passed away after his birth I have a mixture of emotions. Sadness over the loss and that I couldn’t protect him. Mindful of how far we have come as a family. Thankful for the time I held him in my womb and a sense of wonder what it would be like when we meet again. For my daughter I feel joy that I get to watch her grow and blessed that we have her here. LB
-give me cause to be incredibly joyful and thankful…as well as a little melancholic knowing my time living under the same roof is coming to a close. MB
– Amazed (and a little sad) that the time has gone so fast. SD
-Grateful that I know this amazing person LM
8) Mothering is…
-Amazing NH
-Intuition, patience and a lot of prayer. LA
-A journey, I learn something new everyday. LB
-my greatest accomplishment, joy, calling and challenge in life…nothing could ever compare to the satisfaction I have in being a mom MB
-A beautiful responsibility that is colored by blessing after blessing SD
-A privilege LM
9) For Mother’s Day I would love…
-A quiet day with my family NH
-I would love to sleep in and spend some time at the spa! LA
-To be with my family LB
-I would love to have a nap and not have to cook dinner for my mom and mother-in-law every year…none of the men in my life can cook!!! MB
-A conversation SD
-to be with my family LM
10) My favorite Mother’s Day was…
-This one is my first! NH
-I loved when my husband made a homemade card from my son. LA
-The first one with my daughter to hold LB
-My very first one as a mom…I couldn’t have been prouder or more honoured to have been given the privilege of being a mom…still stands to this day! MB
-Last year. I got a homemade care with amazing words of affirmation about my motherhood from my son. I thought I might have actually done a few things right…. SD
-Too many to name just one LM
happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s out there!