Mommy loves you…

When we first discover we are going to be parents, we have all these dreams of what our children will be like and how much we will impart to them. Will they share in our love of art or music? Will they one day excel in sports? Will one be a writer, another an actor or singer, an engineer or scientist?

How much of who we are will also be a part of who our children will be?

As a mother I have tried to help mold my children, without demanding that they agree with every opinion or belief I hold. My hope is that they learn to think on their own, if their opinions and beliefs align with mine, that’s great. If they don’t, then we can have some lively conversations.

Their father has been both coach and mentor. His love of sports has rubbed off on them as a lifelong enthusiasm for soccer and auto racing. He’s been instrumental in their education in critical thinking, and his near torturous attention to detail has ensured they are well-versed in proper grammar.

We share with them what we think about different issues, but hope that as they have their own life experiences, they develop their own perspectives. I’ve been pleased to see that they are maturing into thoughtful, compassionate, open-minded adults.

Above it all though, the one truth I hope we’ve passed along is that both of our children have known from day one that the love of a parent is unconditional.

There have been many times that we’ve told them that there was nothing they could ever do that would change how much we love them. Passing either of them in our home is simply an opportunity to hug them. At random times we’ve simply declared, ‘I love you.’ I’ll send my daughter a text at school asking, ‘have I told you today that I love you?’

I would consider myself a failure of epic proportions if either of my children ever doubted how deep and everlasting my love was for them. It doesn’t matter if our religious or political ideology doesn’t mesh. It’s of no consequence that they have differing tastes in literature and music.

As a parent, this one truth is paramount. If they believe nothing else I’ve told them, that they know in their heart of hearts, they are loved and cherished, unconditionally, then I have done my job as a mother.

Submitted as part of Shell’s “Pour Your Heart Out” writing prompt at Things I Can’t Say. Please stop by to read the other posts, and give a little comment love.