Daughters of God

This post is for me, I have read a few articles in the Ensign and I liked how they made me feel as a mother and I wanted to share some of my thoughts. It does not matter if 1,000 people tell you you are a good mom. If just 1 single person thinks you are not, that is the one persons thoughts that echo in your head. I have really struggled with that, it broke my heart that someone questioned me. I love my children more than anything in the world and I am trying every day to be the best mom I can. 

In the May 2008 Ensign there is a talk by Elder Russell Ballard called 'Daughters of God' that is to mothers, particularly young mothers. Some of these words are mine and some are from the talk.

"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities and certainly different children.

What matters most is that the mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else. 

If a child lives with his parents for 18 years, that is only 1/4 of our lives. And the early (baby toddler) years are only 1/10 of our lives. It is crucial to focus on our children  for the short time we have with them and with help from the Lord, teach them all we can before they leave our homes. It's crazy how fast time with our little children goes by. They are growing so fast and I don't want to take for granite all those special moments. I love being a mom. My children are SO fun. Griff is at the age where he is asking so many questions and is becoming such a good little man and helper. He is enjoying friends, school, bikes and activities like a four year old does. Gavin is a handful and a huge talker. He is learning to be a middle child which I know is hard sometimes. It's funny how different of a two year old he was from Griffin was two, and it's fun to see those differences. Karalyn is such a joy. Having such a sweet new child of God is WONDERFUL!! I love reliving all the "baby" stages and I enjoy how each are so different. 

Elder Ballard talked on how some mothers go through all different emotions and some have moments of inadequacy and frustration. I think instead of some it is probably ALL of us mothers. When my boys are cuddled in their beds, sometimes I think to myself "I should have read more books with them today, I should have got down on the floor and played trucks with them." Some days I wished I would have accomplished so much more with them. I guess I need to focus on what I did do with them and for them during that day more than what I didn't so that I don't feel inadequate or frustrated.

I am grateful for the roll my husband has in my children's life. Although I joke that he is the 'favorite' I LOVE how much my boys love and admire their daddy and how much they want to be with him and be just like him. In Elder Ballards talk he mentions that many fathers today are more involved in their children's lives but some husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives. I feel like Bryan does understand. He is always telling me how he could never do what I do and he appreciates me. I only work a few hours a week and I really enjoy that time out of the house. I usually only leave my children with their dad and I think that is another reason he is such a good dad, has a great bond with them, and has a little understanding of what I do all day.

Elder Ballard asked this question that I thought was pretty good and important.

 What can YOU do as a young mother to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

A- Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times, but amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Don't over schedule  yourselves or your children. Take time to listen, to laugh and to play together.

Find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. You need to to set aside a little time for what replenishes you so that you can be a good mother.

Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. 

He ends his talk "I hope all you dear sisters, married or single, never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord"  and "I pray that God will continually bless the women of the Church to find the joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God."

I love my dear children and the joy and happiness they have brought into my life. I am doing the best I can as a mother to raise these precious children of God.