A Mother’s Wisdom…

And I’m not talking about my own…

I look back and think over all the years I’ve been around and there were countless things my mom said to me that I grumbled to myself “whatever, Mom”. I could write a book on the number of things she has said to me that now could easily be “I told you so’s” from her. There was the time when I was 10 that I wouldn’t practice my piano and I gave up piano lessons. She told me I’d regret it later on. And she’s right, I regret it. There was the time when I was getting married that she told me finish my education before I had kids, so that my options wouldn’t be limited. I didn’t listen, and again, she was right.

Those are only two examples of many where my mother, much to my dismay at the time, really did know what she was talking about. She really did know what was best for me. I sit here writing this while my two children nap and I can’t help but think if a mother’s wisdom comes naturally. Some days I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing on this ride of life and certainly don’t know the first thing about giving my children advice. I’m sure that as time goes on and we experience more of life together, that mother’s wisdom will come a little more natural. After all, I am already doing many of the things my mother did to me that I swore when I was growing up that I’d never do to my children. I’ve spit onto a towel (or my fingers) countless times in an attempt to wipe their faces clean before we walk into a public place. I’ve turned up the radio in the car so loud that I’d probably be fined in some areas, only in an attempt to drown out the crying that can’t be comforted until we’re home. I’ve threatened to turn the car around on more than one occasion and the phrase “just wait until daddy gets home” has been known to be heard on rare occasions as well.

I hope I’m as good of a mother as my mom was to me. I hope I know the right things to say at the right times and I hope I’m supportive, even when they choose to make decisions that I know aren’t in their best interest. I think a mother’s wisdom comes from the maternal instinct to protect and see success. One day I hope my children will thank me for being their #1 fan through the good and the bad.

A mother’s work often goes unnoticed and unappreciated by her children until they are parents themselves and realize what exactly their moms (or parents in general) did for them. I’m glad I’ve noticed this early enough in my life so that I have the opportunity to thank my mom now before it’s too late. I really hope her wisdom gets passed on to me. I’m going to need a lot of it raising two boys!!!!