momentous MOTHERHOOD

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”
–Albert Schweitzer

More than anything, mama, remember this – relationships matter. Your relationship with your spouse, your family, your friends and co-workers.

Your relationship with social media, food and money.

Your relationship with yourself.

Your relationship with God.

All of these relationships play influential roles in your life, and they will have a major impact on your relationships with your children.

The relationship you develop with each of your children will ultimately shape and impact the person your child becomes.

Your relationship with your spouse is foundational; it sets the tone for your household and is a model for your children of how to express love, support, and partnership. It will also be the prime example of how to handle disagreement and compromise. The bonds you cultivate with your spouse and/or your relationships with other close family members will provide invaluable lessons for your children.

The friendships you choose to nurture play a crucial role in shaping your life and the lives around you. They are the lifelines, outside of family, that provide support, encouragement, and joy. Strong friendships can help you navigate life’s ups and downs and teach your children the importance of connection and community. There will be times when friendships end, whether in your life or your children’s lives. Even during those times, there will be wisdom to glean.

For those of you who work, whether from home or outside of it, think about your relationships with co-workers. In some cases, co-workers may be family or friends which adds another layer to an already existing relationship. Either way, this cooperative dynamic impacts not just your professional life but demonstrates to your children how to engage with others in a collaborative environment.

Now, about those relationships with…THINGS.

The ties you forge with social media, food, and money, to name a few, are just as significant as everything else we’ve covered so far.

The use of social media can influence perceptions and self-esteem; this can be positive or negative. It also sets a massive example for your children on how they should interact with social media. Be conscious of how much time you sacrifice to social media and the quality of the content you allow into your psyche.

When it comes to food, cultivating a positive relationship encourages not just physical health, but emotional satisfaction and mindfulness. Food is nourishment in every sense of the word. Work hard to make food choices that support your mind, body and spirit.

Finally, your approach to finances will either teach your children the importance of responsibility, planning, and the value of hard work or it will be an example of the opposite. The choice is yours.

Equally important is your relationship with yourself. Self-love and acceptance form core characteristics.

If you speak negatively about your skills, your body, your life – then you can expect to hear the same from your children.

How you treat yourself sets the standard for how your children will treat themselves. It lays the groundwork for their self-esteem and resilience in the face of challenges. As Albert Schweitzer’s wise words at the top of this post state, example is everything.

Last but certainly not least, your relationship with God brings a sense of hope, purpose and guidance into your life. This divine relationship offers comfort during tough times and reinforces the values you wish to instill in your children. When you nurture this relationship, you provide a steady anchor for your soul which can help you and your children navigate life’s uncertainties.

At the most basic level, a relationship with someone is a connection with them.

For our children, it’s a way of influencing their self-esteem, behavior, and worldview.

More than school choice, more than curriculum, more than anything – the relationship between mothers and children serve as the foundation for a child’s emotional development and understanding of interpersonal dynamics.

As your children grow to feel secure in their bond with you, they are more likely to express their thoughts and feelings openly, leading to healthier psychological outcomes. With each shared experience, whether joyful or challenging, you help mold their character and resilience, fostering an environment where they can thrive and grow into well-rounded individuals.

It is through these meaningful interactions that they learn empathy, kindness, and the importance of healthy relationships.

This doesn’t mean you will always react perfectly or that there won’t be times when your relationship with your children needs repair.

It means that motherhood gives you the chance to steadily create connections that will be the foundation upon which your children build their own relationships in the future.

Moments matter. Relationships matter. Motherhood matters.