My Thoughts on Motherhood

As far back as I can remember I have always loved children. I think I got that from my own Mother. She loved little ones and took very good care of them. I learned how to care for my own little ones from her.  There was never any question whether I wanted to be a Mother or not. My mother instilled in me that it was an honor to have children.

Many women have high ambitions of a career especially in today’s world. I think a college degree is very important and someday I hope to accomplish that goal. However, my deepest desire has always been to be a mother.

Motherhood has been my chosen career. There’s never been a moment of regret. I’ve enjoyed every stage of my children’s life. I feel blessed to have witness their first smile, first step, learning to read, learning to tie their shoes and every other first in their lives.

I heard the other day that if mothers were to be paid for all they do at home their earnings would amount to about 100,000 dollars. Though I think it would be nice to have the security of that income, you can’t put a price on a sweet little infant. You can’t put a price on youth with a strong testimony or a young adult with his/her eye on the temple. You can’t put a price on young men worthily passing and blessing the sacrament.

As mothers we sacrifice a lot. We go without so our children will have what they need. We sacrifice sleep caring for a crying infant and waiting up for a teenager. More importantly we sacrifice our bodies. The hips get wider, the breasts sag, and (as I tell my children) scars that are not so pretty to look at. If you asked any of us if it was worth it? We would say “every minute”.

I’m at a different season of motherhood now. I have teenagers and young adults. But there is joy to be found in every milestone of a child’s life.

The greatest blessing of motherhood is that I can extend my mother love to my nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and even a few of my friends children. So, it’s not only an honor but a great responsibility to be  a Mother.

So what are my  dreams for my children? They are very simple things really. After all the time  invested, after all the sacrifices made, after all the teachings my hope is very simple. First and foremost, I hope that my children will embrace the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope they will build on that foundation of faith. I hope that they will keep their focus and eye on the temple. I hope they will have gratitude for the atonement of the Lord. I hope they have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I hope they will think more of others than they do themselves. I hope they will serve the Lord all of their days. I hope they will embrace their great heritage. I hope they will not be slothful with their inheritance of faith. I hope they will exercise it, and increase it daily. I hope they will truly understand their worth and find worthy companions.

Lastly, I hope they know that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that he died and atoned for all of our sins. I know that through him we can have eternal life. I know we have a loving Heavenly father who loves us and knows who we are. He knows our needs and will never leave us alone. My faith is what sustains me day by day. This testimony gives me hope and gets me through the rough times. I know that my calling as a mother is the most important calling I will ever have. I hope they know of my great love for them. I hope they know all that I do and all that I am is based on the love I have for the Savior. I know that he lives and is the Redeemer of the world.

I know that families are forever!