You may remember that a few weeks back I published a Facebook post with a link to a survey. I asked specifically for moms to help me out with a new blog series I was working on. I got a TON of responses and I think I’ve finally made enough time to share those results with all of you!
If you’re a mom, I hope this series gives you something to reflect on. I hope you read my words and realize that these statistics are from the very women you are surrounded by. These women are in your community, living next door, and clicked on the survey just like everyone else. Every day we wake up feeling so much pressure to be the best mom that we can. Some days we just fall short.
I’m here to remind you that it’s okay. I’m here to remind you that you aren’t alone. I’m here to remind you that other women out there feel just. like. you.
If you aren’t a mom, but wanted to see the results anyway, I encourage you to think about the ways that you can take a load off of the woman in your life. Motherhood is a beast and even when we say we don’t need your help, often times it’s all we really want.
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When I started this project, I wasn’t sure how I was going to put all of the information from my survey into one post. Before I even looked at the survey responses, I just wasn’t sure if I was going to receive the participation that I wanted and I honestly wasn’t even sure exactly what I was going to make it into. After looking over the stats and comments left on the survey, I knew that this was going to be something great.
Sometimes, as a writer, I just live my life and hope that I find inspiration somewhere within my day. I’ve never been the type of writer to throw words onto a page and publish it “just because.” I was astonished with some of the responses I gathered and I can’t wait to share all of that with you. To start off this three part series, I wanted to start off with
What We Love Most About Being a Mom
I chose to start off revealing your answers to this question because I think now, more than ever, is a great time to sit back and think about why being a mom is so great. A lot of us are spending an extended amount of time with our children due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so you may be ripping out your hair by now. If that is the case, sit back and read these responses. Remind yourself of all of the amazing perks that comes with taking care of your children, then go grab those kiddos and give them a squeeze!
Overall Results:
| Watching them learn, grow, and become independent | 35.71% |
| The smiles | 19.05% |
| Hugs, kisses, and cuddles | 9.52% |
| Other | 9.52% |
| Hearing “I love you” | 7.14% |
| When they want you | 7.14% |
| They are our biggest fans | 7.14% |
| When they light up when they see you | 4.76% |
Individual Responses:
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| My son has changed my life for the better in every way possible. My family thing about being a mom so far is that he loves cuddling me at night. He knows it’s so comforting to me | |
| All the hugs and kisses of course! Watching my child grow into a beautiful smart lady | |
| Those sweet cuddles! When you feel those tiny arms around your neck and you know right in that moment you are their safe place. | |
| When my baby comes up to me all on her own to give me hug and kisses. Also to watch her learn and see her growing into her own little human. | |
| My kid only wants me all the time. | |
| When my child only wants me to “fix” whatever the issue may be | |
| When they need me during the most important times | |
| Just knowing god hand picked this child and knowing him/her is everything I’ve ever wanted. | |
| Knowing that my body made this miracle | |
| When you see your kiddo just being a good human. Loving and encouraging people without being prompted. | |
| You are doing your part in making the world a better place for future generations. | |
| All the smiles! | |
| Coming home from work and seeing their beautiful faces. Teaching them the ropes of life and seeing them become their own person | |
| Just him. He’s the best blessing. His smile. The new things he learns and does each day | |
| Knowing unconditional love. | |
| Seeing any child smile is the best feeling | |
| Seeing him grow into a respectful, funny, caring young man. Everyday he reminds me I did a good job. | |
| Seeing his eyes light up when he sees me, and looking down at him and seeing the beautiful life I created. | |
| Seeing my children grown up and watching them as parents. You realize that you did after all get something right. | |
| Seeing my kids accomplish different things at different stages. But mostly watching the people they become. | |
| Seeing my son smile and watching him learn. Nothing better than knowing I’m helping him learn and grow into a gentleman. | |
| Seeing the smile on my son’s face everyday | |
| Seeing the way my son lights up when I come into the room | |
| Seeing them grow and develop into their own person | |
| Seeing them grow up. We started from the very bottom teaching him to eat so its crazy seeing were he came from moh | |
| Successful adults | |
| That my children love me regardless of how chunky I think I am. They love me and think I’m great even when I don’t think I am. | |
| The bond we have. Hearing my kids say “I love you” and showing affection. | |
| The memories that are made and the fact my children get so excited to see me after a day or work. I always love to hear “yuv you mommy” no matter what mood I’m in. | |
| The most rewarding part is hearing my sweet boy laugh and smile at me. I could be having a complete melt down (you know being a mom has hard times) but nothing makes it more rewarding that when your crying and your baby is just staring at you with a little smile. My favorite part has to be all the milestones. It’s the most bittersweet feeling I’ve ever had. | |
| The smiles letting me know they love me unconditionally. | |
| The smiles on my kids faces | |
| Them saying I love you | |
| Watching my babies grow up | |
| Watching my baby grow and learn | |
| Watching my children grow and become independent | |
| Watching my children grow and seeing their personalities develop. | |
| Watching my kids grow and the new things they learn on a day to day basis | |
| Watching my kids learn and grow into the best kids a parent can ask for | |
| Watching the baby I created grow and learn new things | |
| Watching them learn new things and being so excited about the littlest things | |
| You can feel like you’re failing and they are still your biggest fans |
I hope this has reminded you of all the great aspects of being a mother. Hang in there, tough mamas and stay tuned for Part II and Part III of this series! I have a lot more to share!
Part II: Making Time For You
Part III: Motherhood, Body Image, & Depression
Between the Lens 