A Motiviational Mother's Day Message

The Mommy-Morphosis mission is to celebrate motherhood 24/7/365.

For all the love, wisdom and effort it takes to raise children, we surely deserve it.

On this day especially, you "better recognize"! (In the words of my own Mommy)

I haven't blogged in a while and actually planned on skipping an obligatory post today, but the message I received at Sunday service was too good to keep to myself. The powerful, hilarious motivational speaker Les Brown electrified the congregation with his tribute to 'life's greatest treasures" - Mothers. "Mammy Brown's baby boy" often details how blessed he was to be adopted by a truly incredible woman. Despite her son being mistakenly labeled as "educably mentally retarded", Ms. Brown spoke greatness into his life with faith, love and determination.

Here's a brief recap of his message, with a little ShoMommy embellishment:

M - Mental resiliency

Motherhood isn't all roses and chocolate. It can be a tough, dirty job that requires us to be strong and brave. There are times when Moms must make a way where there's none. We face our fears and shed our tears, but always find a way to do what's best for our families.
O - Open your heart
More than ever a mother's love can be used to combat our culture of rudeness and insensitivity. Be kind because you can. It will make your children better people.
T - Take care of things that matter

Mother's help us learn what's really important in life. Let's remember (and teach) that success isn't only material. Relationships that we've built and memories we've created will carry us through the difficulties we will inevitably face. 

H - Hold a place for hope in your heart.

Hold your head high, always! Mother's help us see the light inside when everything looks dim. When life gets hard and we're disappointed or heartbroken, Mom's unconditional love reminds us that the best is yet to come.

E - Enjoy yourself!

Live, love and laugh! It's the best medicine. Have fun with your children, don't take things so seriously. Joy is invaluable to our lives; share it with those who matter most.

R - Remember what's important and forget what's not.

"Forgiveness is remembering without anger." Let go, or be dragged. Not every mother has been there when their children needed- some by choice, others by circumstance.  It's never too late to make peace, and if nothing else, give thanks for the gift of life. 

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms, Godmothers, Grandmothers, Stepmoms

and Mother figures!

I pray you feel appreciated for all that you do daily. Please take a moment to be grateful for the opportunity you have to impact the world. The wisdom, strength and encouragement you pour into the children you love will eventually overflow into our collective future.

2013's Best Mother's Day Memes and More

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." Rajneesh

Mommy-Morphosis celebrates motherhood daily, but I couldn't let our special day pass without a special post! Motherhood is a journey and we all do it differently. On Mother's Day not only am I eternally grateful for my own loving Mommy and Grandmas, but also thankful for my little ones. Having children changed my life and they are honestly the best thing to ever happen to me. For every mother/child relationship there are unique joys and (labor) pains, but we all want one thing - to make sure our children grow up to be healthy, happy and wise individuals. It's the only job in the world where, when done right, there are no days off. Here's to all of us who put in the love and hard work 365 days a year!

I've collected  my favorite quotes and images floating around the web this Mother's Day. Enjoy, have a laugh and give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done.

1. We're pretty amazing right?

2. Not a fair trade, but it's worth it.

3. Don't mind if I do. #1 on next year's gift wish list.

4. A pretty succinct job description :-)

5. Shhhh, your secret's safe with me.

6. Celebrate Mom whether near or far.

7. If you made it through the day without hearing any of these questions you aren't playing fair.

8. Not sure if I'm qualified for this position...

9. It's about choices. Everyday. And we all mess it up sometimes ...

10. Get off the computer and call your Momma!

*Disclaimer - I did not create any of the above images. The words in the pictures are not my own, only the captions. Y'all know how the internet works... I couldn't find the original sources if I tried. Whoever the creators are we thank you! 

TIME asks "Are You Mom Enough?" New twist on an old post.

Today Time Magazine released the cover photo for an upcoming story about Dr. Bill Sears and the extreme side of attachment parenting. They pose the question, "Are You Mom Enough?", right next to a Mom posing breast partially exposed, while she nurses a boy 3 years old. All this just a few days before Mother's Day. Of course the photo went viral and has quite a few folks all in a tizzy. Does anyone see the irony in controversy swimming around a cover that is supposed to be controversial? I don't get it. I hope that half as many of the people talking about this online will actually pick up the article and read it, myself included. I trust TIME to deliver a journalistic piece that is just as provoking as the photograph. We'll see Friday May 11, 2012 when the issue is released. In the meantime read a post I wrote April 19, 2012...

... Before bed, when I'm in the shower allowing my thought to drifts I review my day. If I've poorly handled an interaction with one of my kids I mull it over regretfully. Parenting has scores of challenges; it's only fair to assume that we won't attend to every exchange suitably. We don't always have the perfect response to inquisitive questions. We don't always lend an ear or a shoulder at the right moment.  Maybe we gave a lecture when a hug was what they really needed. Our hope is that if we manage to get it right more times than not than our children will feel loved, become wise, kind and functional.

While studying infant and caregiver attachment as a counselor I was introduced to the theory of "good enough parenting". The assumption is that if the mother, or primary caregiver, responds to the baby's needs successfully 7 out of 10 times that is adequate in forging a healthy bond. The child will, as a newborn, learn that they are safe. Sometimes, on a bad day, I remember this. It's given me comfort to know that a couple of Mommy blunders are to be expected; they won't do much harm. I don't rest on it, but I've kept it in the back of my head like a "get out of guilt free" card. Today I realized 7 out of 10 really isn't that great. Do the math - 70 percent. It's passing, but surely not acceptable by a Valedictorian's standards. Satisfactory, not great. Responding positively, with empathy, just 7 out 10 times to the needs of your child is like being a good Mom or Dad 5 out of 7 days a week. I find it hard to believe my little ones would thrive if on Sunday and Wednesday Mommy just checked out. Hump Day is hard, but really? Would your employer keep paying you if a little more than two/thirds of the the time you didn't perform to the best of your ability?

I've heard that parenting is a job that only gets more complicated as your child grows. We want our toddlers to learn respect and responsibility early on so they develop good habits that continue into adolescence and adulthood. As parents we must hold ourselves accountable in pursuing the same excellence we expect from our children. Take the time to think before speaking to your child; don't react without considering the consequences. Don't dial it in. When you make mistakes say you're sorry. We're not perfect, but our kids don't know that. Find teachable moments for them and yourself. Be better than good enough.