If I were a cartoon, there would have been steam blasting out my ears and perhaps a pitchfork in my hand.

I blew up at my 5-year-old for dumping the toy bins out in one big pile.

 

Yet there he was, hugging my shoulder and saying “mommy, I love you” with a smile on his face.

I thought to myself…

Do I deserve this?

This sweet kindness and love from my son right now?

I knew I made a bigger deal out of the situation than it needed to be.

I knew keeping calm, cool and collected was what any “good” parent would do…that’s what all of the magazines say, right?

But I’m no super-mom.

It’s amazing how forgiving, kind and unconditionally loving our children are.

They don’t see US how we see OURSELVES.

You see…

You aren’t merely loved by your children.

You’re irreplaceable.

 

Appreciated.

Valuable.

VITAL.

 

Because while hugs & kisses are all fine and dandy,

it’s the life lessons you’re teaching that dazzle-

the encouraging,

the scolding,

the strict bedtime (or curfew).

Sometimes the most heartbreaking, snot-nosed lessons,

will be the ones to build their character the most.

And molding them into happy, healthy, value-infused little people?

Is what you take pride in.

Don’t be invisible in their childhood photos.

You’re too indispensable to be omitted from their past.

 

Join the Celebrate Mothers Project here.

 

Celebrate Mother’s creates beautiful artwork of a busy mom and her children, so she can look back when her children have grown and not regret that she was always behind the camera.

 

The imagery is mixed with her hand-written words answering, “what do you want to remember most about your children at the age they are right now?” And the words or drawings of her children answering, “what do you love most about your mom?”

Find out more + Free 8×10 collage offer expires Friday 3/31.

View dates and times available by clicking here.