When I was pregnant with my daughter, I spent a great deal of time thinking about what she would look like, if she would have a personality more like myself or my husband, or what it would feel like to hold her, rock her, and see her smile for the first time. I’m pregnant again, and recently I have been thinking less about those things, and more about how we would raise our children, hopefully to be well mannered and ultimately responsible adults.
Oh, this Mom has certain hopes, and high expectations… but more for myself, the mother, than my children. I have been blessed to know the most amazing Moms, Moms who have certain admirable qualities, and who’s attributes I hope we all as Mothers can replicate in our relationships with our own sweet babies. Thus, I share with you the top five: “I hope I am the kind of Mom that…”
1) I hope I am the kind of Mom that gives my children the right amount of independence to run free around the house, pick out their own cloths and snacks, choose what books they want to read or which songs to sing. I want to be the type of Mom that encourages creativity in play or games, thoughts and idea. I hope my they see the world as a place where all kinds people and families are unique and special and are welcomed and loved. I especial want them to understand that everyone has their own independent thoughts and idea and that’s okay, because deep down they know who they are and what they believe in!
2) I hope I am the kind of Mom that gets silly. I mean plain silly, rolling around on the floor kind of funny! I want to let my hair down, put my mature self aside, and do whatever it takes to make my children giggle till they fall down, laugh till they cry, and still want more! (As I write this, I can picture my little girl laughing at a funny sound or silly face I made, only to then turn to me and say/sign “more please” in hopes that I’ll make the same sound or silly face again.)
3) I hope I am the kind of Mom that walks hand-in-hand with my children, exploring everything in nature from the large oak trees to the small ladybugs. We will spend time digging in the earth, and getting messy while finding rocks, acorns, and anything else that interest the little creatures. I hope to teach my children to love the outdoors, and hope that they spend as much time as possible seeing new places near and far, and can capture all the beauty that surrounds us.
4) I hope I am the kind of Mom that takes time for myself, spends times friends – building and keeping relationships, and never loses a since of who I am or what is important. I want my children to understand that life is about balancing all things and people like family, friends, careers, hobbies, or any other special interest. They too will grow to know what is important, and I don’t ever want them to lose that, or let anything stand in the way of reaching their goals, hopes and dreams.
5) I hope I am the kind of Mom that truly strives to be a better Mother. Every day I am faced with new challenges and obstacles, but I have been given an amazing network of Mothers who I can lean on for advice, motivation, and encouragement. (Let’s not even start with the potty training.) My wish is to inspire others to be the kind of Mom that is most beneficial to their children. We know that all children are different, but so are Moms.
So be different, and inspirational, and the kind of Mom that…
-Leslie H. Schlesinger
This is one of the many amazing Top Five lists submitted by our CMF readers. Do you have a list you’d like to contribute? Whether informative, inspirational, funny, or creative, please share! All Top Five lists can include photos, links to your blog (if you’re a fellow-blogger) or whatever creative element you’d like to include!
Leave a Reply