When I look back at each important moment in my life: the day I learned to drive, my graduation, my wedding, the birth of my first child, she is always standing in the background smiling and cheering me on. More importantly, she was part of the other not-so-monumental moments in my life like when I got stung by a bee, when the kids teased me, and when I cried my way through my first broken heart. My mom was always there to support me through all the moments, big and small. Now that I have been a mom for a dozen years, I appreciate my mom so much more for the things she has always done with little or no recognition. I now realize the sacrifices she made and the monumental effort she put in. Here are just a few reasons why I appreciate my mom a whole lot more since becoming a mom.

For maintaining

A mother's job is never done easy and it is a thankless job. Taking even one day off means more work for days to come. Moms pick up the same toys, wash the same dishes, and do the same laundry over and over again. Not only do moms maintain the housework but they also hold a mental inventory of all items in the home. Mosts moms can recall the location of the baby’s favorite stuffed animal, the toddler’s missing shoe, the library books, the stapler, and any other random item a family member may request at any given time. I appreciate the example of steadfastness that my mom gave me for maintaining our home.

For managing

As moms, we often feel like we live in our minivans. Moms don’t just transport kids from one activity to the next. They also maintain the family calendar, make appointments, and make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time with the right gear (musical instrument, snacks, sports gear, sunscreen, backpack, and the list goes on). Juggling school and activities in itself is a full time job that my mom (and most moms) manage with ease. I appreciate my mom for being the social planner, taxi driver, and personal assistant to our whole family as we grew up.