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Mother Loves Best

by Mimi Breiten

Some of us are mothers.  Some of us haven’t become mothers by choice or circumstance.  Some of us don’t have our moms in our lives for one reason or another.  But, most of us have known, or have been fortunate to have had, one of those women who have personified our idea of a good mother. 

Some of us think of Harriet Nelson, Margaret Anderson of ”Father Knows Best“, or even Wilma Flintstone. Oh, how I can remember watching the shows and thinking that those moms were the bees’ knees. Remember them?  They had warm cookies and milk waiting for the children after school.  These women, even going back to Wilma and the Stone Age were perfectly coiffed and poised.  They, the iconic mother figures, seemed to be the quintessential mothers.

With age, comes wisdom and keen awareness.  Now, with perspective as my guide, I can spot a good mom with laser precision.   A good mom is one who allows their child to be who that child is.  She gives the child the lift to soar and freedom to explore who they are and what they aspire to be.   She knows that she is a role model and knows that her kids are watching, listening and taking cues from what she does and how she responds to them.   She wraps the kids in a stable and secure world, but exposes them to the wonder of the world around them.  She knows that her words are powerful, and is careful to choose words that don’t pierce the soul of her child.  She brings life and embraces the incredible responsibility of giving that child all she can so that the child can reach his/her potential as a thriving, compassionate human being.

A good mom doesn’t always know best.  She doesn’t have to be the best. But, she always does her best.   She doesn’t have to be perfect.  She doesn’t have to look perfect.  She doesn’t have to bake perfect cookies.   What kids remember is that their mom loved them, supported them, believed in them and made them believe that not only were they the most special but they could do anything they set their mind to.  It never seems to be about what we give or what we buy for the kids.  A good mom knows that the best thing she can do is to feed her children’s souls and nurture her children’s spirits. 

Mimi  Breiten

mimibreiten@yahoo.com