There is something that is just so special about Mums. I might be slightly biased, as I am a mum, I had a wonderful mum, and now I have a an amazing step-mum, but I really do believe that Mums are amazing people. Mums are people who love you unconditionally and hold you tight when you need it. And let you go when you are strong. Help you get up when you fall. Tell you when you are right, and when you are not so right, but back you the whole way. Mums are just so important.
When I was younger, and especially as a teenage daughter, I know I never appreciated my mum enough. As a mother of 3 teenagers now, I thank her every day in a silent prayer for all that she did for me. I don’ t think you really appreciate all that your Mum does for you, until you have your own children. Quite often I find myself thanking my mum for not killing me as a teenager , so I could experience the joys and wonders of having my own teenagers. And then also questioning how and why she didn’t. I’m sure she is heaven right now laughing very hard.
I do often find myself saying something know I have heard my mother say that to me. Like if the dishwasher is open and has dirty dishes in it, do NOT put your dirty dishes in the sink, put them in the dishwasher. Or hang up your wet towel. It will not dry on the floor. Or that I am not physic, and cannot read your mind, so you better tell me.
I know have 2 teenage sons, and 1 teenage daughter. So yes, I am slightly insane. I have found that teenage sons do not open their mouths to speak anymore. It is mumble and grunts. Combined with looks of pure confusion when I ask them to repeat what they said so I can understand them. My boys are still very affectionate and will ask for hugs and reassurance. My Teenage daughter though does not believe hugs are necessary, and doesn’t even know how I graduated high school with all that I don’t know. And then in the same conversation will say how amazing she thinks I am and how much she loves us all. It can be a very confusing half hour before school in the morning. In our home eye rolls are common place, and text messages with request for food is the norm.
So far I think I am doing pretty well as a mum. On par mostly with how great my mum was. In saying that, I am sadly lacking in my mums ability to be able to keep enough food into our house though. I always thought it was strange that my mum was at the shops buying food all the time. Now I know why.
As a teenage daughter I ate selectively, and probably really annoyingly. Sorry Mum. As a Mum of 3 teenagers I am failing on the food front. I never seem to have enough food for “snacks”, (which funnily enough appear to be whole meals. I didn’t realise that a full burger was a snack. My fault), or have the RIGHT food available for them. Like having Marvellous creations milk chocolate instead of dairy Milk chocolate. (Mum tip though. Always have chocolate in the house. If not for them, at least for you.)
If I am as good as mum to my kids as my mum was to me, then I will be very happy. My Mum supported me through all my tantrums, fears, scares. Like my huge mental breakdown during my HSC exams. She held and feed me and made sure I had enough sleep and smiles to get through my exams and come out the other side a better person. My Mum also supported and shared with me some of my greatest triumphs, like when I got my P license, buying my first car, and then as I got older starting my career and own family. And now I get to share some of those moment with my kids.
My mother passed away a long time ago now. And my father remarried a wonderful lady, who is now my Step-Mum. But like the Bradey Bunch, “the only steps on our house are the ones that lead upstairs.” Which means I know have another chance at having a wonderful mum in our lives. (And an amazing sister and new brother too).
And also another chance to go to a wonderful wise woman and ask for tips and advice on life. Because that is what’s Mums are for! Being the voice if reason to tell you the real truths. No matter what they are. Some good, some bad.
I go to my new Mum for reassurance that I am not insane. I think as a mum, you have lots of self doubt moments. My new Mum is great at supporting me when it comes to dealing with teenagers, and husbands and Fathers, and all the fun and games they come with. Which is so valuable. I know that sometimes I just need to go to my New Mum and ask if this too will pass? And she reassures me that I am doing my best, and really so are they. And that it will work out well into the future. And Hugs are so important.
In my life, Mums are so amazing and wonderful. I feel so blessed and humbled to have started with my mum loving and looking after me, to me loving and cherishing (and so far not killing them) my own children, to the gift of another mum in my life.
I am sure that your Mum, new or original, is important in your life as well. Or maybe you need to also look at how amazing you are as someone’s Mum. And all the wonderful things that you do to ensure that your kids have smiles and hugs.
This Mothers Day, because we can hug our Mums again, why not do it on a beautiful new lawn you have installed for her? Or have your kids help you install a new lawn, so they can play outside and you can sit back and relax and watch the smiles you put own their faces.
Never under estimate the importance of having a Mum, or being someones Mum.