Today was the day I had been waiting for…and never knew it. I love being a Mother. If I need to smile all I need to do is think of my son or look at a few pictures and my day is instantly lifted. I obsess, like many mothers, over what he eats, how much he sleeps, his manners, his clothes, etc. I just want him to feel happy and loved 24×7. I know that is an impossible goal, but it is something to strive for. I often think that I am doing things differently than how I was brought up. Sometimes I think what I am doing is better, sometimes I think it is worse.
My Mother came to visit for a playdate with my son. I was excited to have a day to catch up on laundry, project work from my day job, groceries etc without having my son feel neglected. It was a tremendous gift, but not the best one I received. Toward the end of the day my Mother told me that I was a good Mother. That my little guy is just so bright and happy I must be doing things right. I wanted to cry. I had no idea how much I wanted her approval until I had it.
It is common for working mothers, including this working mother, to carry the guilt of all those hours and con calls around like an albatros. Today my Mother told me that I was a good Mother and the guilt, at least temporarily, has evaporated. My Mother’s unprompted praise is the greatest gift she could give.
She probably has no idea how much it meant to me to hear it, nor how well I will sleep tonight having heard it!!
