Mom whose daughter takes everything out on her: When I was a teen, I took everything out on my mom. And now I’m grateful she stuck with me.
Once a Mom, Always a Mom – What a Gift
(Inside: Once a mom, always a mom. Your kids grow, but you will still always be their mom. What a gift that is to us and to them.)
Once you are a mom, you’re always a mom.
I released the bowling ball, scrunched my face at the result, then turned around to see my mom holding her phone out recording me.
I laughed out loud.
I am in my forties.
And I was throwing more gutter balls than not.
As moms of tweens and teens, we can grieve that our kids are growing up way too fast. But the truth is: motherhood doesn’t end once our kids blow out their 18th birthday candles. Once you’re a mom, you are always a mom.
It doesn’t matter how old your kids get….
You will always cherish spending time with them.
You will always wonder how they’re doing and want to know their thoughts.
You will always hope that your kids are finding friends and people to connect with.
You will always see the best in your children and know what they are capable of. You will always hope they are as confident in themselves as you are in them.
You always want your kids to discover their talents and be proud of how they are contributing to the world.
You will always want to comfort them when life gets hard – you want them to know that you are there, and you cherish when they choose to open up to you. And if they don’t want to confide in you, that’s okay – you hope they will reach out and find other help.
You will always pray for their safety, health, and well-being.
You will always look for hope in your children’s situations and be ready to cheer them on.
You will always think about your child and hold them in your heart.
You will always love them, more and more each passing season.
And you will always be ready with your phone to record a moment you’re enjoying with them – even if they are middle age and throwing gutter balls.
You can’t shake motherhood.
No matter how many years flip by.
Once you’re a mom, you’re always, always, ALWAYS a mom.
Once a mom, always a mom – and your importance to your family is immeasurable. Read the full series on the importance of motherhood.
Do you really understand how important, how vital, how life-giving your role as a mom is?
Maybe you feel like you just poured the bowl of cereal this morning, but that’s not all you did. You nourished your kid. And through simple daily interactions, you teach responsibility, leadership, love, grace, faith, courage, and kindness. Your child will go out into life and share his or her gifts. Then pass everything you taught down to their kids. And next, their grandkids – your impact keeps rolling.
I’m getting chill bumps. Your ordinary work is extraordinary.
Let me continue to convince you through the full series on the importance of motherhood:
Why Moms are Important: This is the Impact You Make
Momma, How You Inspire Other Moms in Every Day in Amazing Ways
3 Realizations that Will Help You Enjoy Motherhood More
Join this community of moms parenting teens and tweens.
You just dropped one kid off at practice, picked up another, and are trying to decide what to make for dinner. Your days are filled with work, parenting, and waiting for password reset emails.
You are parenting tweens and teens.
It’s an amazing life phase, but also challenging in unique ways. In it all, you’d love a little encouragement to help you laugh, grow in faith, see parenting hacks, get ideas to connect with your kid, and celebrate the awesome momma you are.
I got you, friend. Sign up for Empowered Moms and Kids monthly emails and get encouragement in your inbox geared for someone exactly in your life chapter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Plus, you’ll get instant access to all the great resources in the freebie library. Join our community here or below.
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
Importance of Motherhood: The One Thing Moms Do That Forever Sticks
(Inside: The importance of motherhood, the importance of a mother in a family, the importance of mother-child relationship, the importance of a mother’s love – here’s the one thing moms do that forever sticks.)
The news of a pandemic flickered across my television screen. States opening back up. Doctors advising. Commentators weighing in.
With hands laced around my coffee mug, I half-listened while enjoying one kid nonchalantly leaning his head against my shoulder. Next to the couch, another kid snapped together a complicated Lego set. Still asleep, my oldest hadn’t emerged. I had about 10 more minutes to be in this moment until I needed to get after working from home.
My mind wandered over the past few heart-wrenching, unsettling months. Images. Moments. Reflection. However, one thought cut through the noise: I’m glad this happened when my kids were still in my home.
The initial drumbeat conversations about COVID-19 approaching,
and my three kids feeling apprehensive about going still to school – I’m glad it was me who got to walk through that uneasiness with them.
The calling off school, the uncertainty of what’s next – I‘m glad I got to be in those moments with my kids.
The trip to the grocery store with my teen. We weren’t prepared for the empty shelves and frantic people. Are we missing something? Should be hoarding toilet paper and water too? The surreal experience – I’m glad that it was me pushing the grocery cart next to my son.
The state basketball tournament canceled, spring basketball called off, and March Madness viewing not happening – one son trains year-round for those moments and the disappointment hit hard. He Eeyore-ed his way around the house for a full 48 hours – I’m glad I got to be there for him.
The uncharted waters of online school,
figuring out the technology, organization, what time works best, where in the house they prefer to learn…watching my kids unravel how to set themselves up for success – I’m glad I was there to help them sort it all out.
The greater understanding of our civic duty. As the safer-at-home days ticked past, we said no to friends, were sad when activities stayed closed, and stayed home when we wanted to go out. In it all, the understanding that their actions matter to the greater good of society grew – I’m glad I got to be with them as they learned those life lessons.
Related Article: Momma, Is God in More Control of Your Life Than You Think?
New words in our evening prayers –
praying for our community, loved ones, healthcare employees, and essential workers. Praying for protection and healing and a vaccine/cure for COVID-19. A renewed reliance on the One who knows in the unknown – I’m glad I got to say those prayers with my kids.
The struggles, the conflict over missing schoolwork, the parenting while working from home, the two-much-together-time bickering, the continual low-grade anxiety that accompanies a pandemic – I’m glad it was me there to help navigate this new normal.
Our family rediscovering what to do with all this time, a renewed love of fishing, family walks, the epic monopoly game, quarantine birthdays, and so many family movies – I’m glad I got to collect those sacred minutes with my kids.
Now, with the states opening back up,
we’re trying to figure out what’s best for our family. We’re analyzing how to be informed and stay safe, but not live in fear; how to contribute to our local economy and help our community heal; how best to see loved ones and tiptoe back into our beloved activities – I’m glad it’s me leading those conversations with my kids.
As moms, we can so easily pick apart our roles and the importance of motherhood
feeling like we should do more of this, or we must lead our family more in that way… Yet, most of the importance of motherhood lies in one simple action: walking through life with our kids.
Just being there to help them navigate it all.
And as my kids’ mom – I’m glad it gets to me.
Join this community of moms raising tweens and teens
Your brain bounces between your day at work, what time(s) your kids need to be at practice, your teen’s missing school assignments, that you haven’t called your mom lately, the load of the laundry to be switched, “What’s for dinner?” and “Why are 3 of my brain-tabs frozen?”
You are raising tweens and teens – the unique parenting phase where everything gets easier…and harder.
We’re finally believing all those “they grow so fast” comments. This is your last hurray with kids in your home and you want to love every minute.
You’re taking a second look at your career, your hobbies, how to share your gifts and talents.
Parenting grows your faith and then makes you wonder where your faith is.
You long for friendships and deep relationships, but you’re just so busy.
You’d love a quick place to connect and feel encouraged.
Join the hundreds of other women who’ve signed up for Empowered Moms and Kid’s inspirational monthly emails. You’ll look forward to opening them. (Plus, it’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.)
Read more in the raising big kids series…
My two oldest sons are in high school now, and I’m still in a coma because of it. Even though I’ve taught high school for over two decades, I’m confused as to how I’m actually old enough to be a parent of a high schooler.
Teaching high schoolers has always been a passion of mine, but now parenting them is as well. I could research, write, and talk about this topic until eternity. I hope you are encouraged by some of my articles.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TEENS
You Can’t Fix Your Struggling Teens’ Problems, But You Can Do This One Powerful Thing
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR TWEEN/TEEN
How to Get Your Teen/Teen to Their “Aha Moment”
400+ Conversation Starters for Families of Teens
PARENTING
Dear Kids – Know the Difference Between “Chores” and “Maintenance”
Your Teen’s Maddening Behavior is Age-Appropriate and Here’s Hope
Raising Tweens and Teens – THIS is what it looks like…
RESOURCES
Book Ideas for High School Teenagers
Book Ideas for Middle School Tweens
Gift Ideas for Teenage Boys
Gift Ideas for Teenage Girls
Cheryl is a mom of 3 boys, wife, speaker, high school teacher, and author of Empowered Moms & Kids. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and is passionate about learning and teaching. On www.empoweredmomsandkids.com you’ll find inspiration and encouragement for moms raising tweens and/or teens. Read more in the “about” section of this page.
Why Moms are Important: This is the Huge Impact You Make
Why moms are important and the importance of a mother in a family – it’s what every mom doesn’t just want to know but feel in her heart. Momma, no one can replace you – you are way more impactful and important than you could ever fully understand.
Momma Knows Best: A Quick Story to Help You Know This
Even though momma knows best, do you know how we have those moments when we don’t want to go with our gut because we’re worried we’ll drive our families nuts? Yeah – go with your gut, here’s why…