When you head to the dictionary to look up the word mom you find this:
“MOM
noun, informal
See ‘mother’
MOTHER
1. a female parent.
2. (often initial capital letter) one’s female parent.
3. a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother.
4. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.
5. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.
6. mother superior.
7. a woman exercising control, influence, or authority like that of a mother: to be a mother to someone.”
But there is so much that is not in the dictionary definition. There is so much that the dictionary cannot possibly capture.
What Does a Mom Do?
A mom often wakes up early, makes breakfast, packs lunches, and dresses kids all while nursing a baby.
A mom has the power to dry tears when you've scraped your knee. A band-aid has nothing on mom's kisses and hugs!
A mom has the power to scare monsters away. She knows just where to look to make sure that her kids are safe from anything that could be hiding in the closet or under the bed.
A mom has the ability to bring her kids' favorite characters to life with her reading and storytelling.
A mom knows all the best songs, even if she makes them up as she goes. The sillier the better!
Where can you find a mom?
You can find a mom in the kitchen making her kids' favorite snacks.
You can find a mom playing on the floor or helping with homework.
You can find a mom driving to and from school or between practices.
You can find a mom at all the school plays, concerts, and sports outings cheering loudly and beaming with pride.
You can find a mom on field trips either school organized ones, or mom organized ones.
What does a mom look like?
A mom comes in all shapes and sizes.
Sometimes a mom has a scar across her belly and sometimes not.
A mom can have a variety of hair colors (including gray, which may or may not be from the stresses of having kids).
A mom might still have 15 pounds to go to get rid of the baby weight, but rest assured her kids don't notice.
A mom can be seen in a dress, or business attire, or yoga pants depending on the day.
A mom only has two arms, but if you see her in action it looks like she has eight.
A mom looks like she has it together, even if she feels like she's falling apart.
What does a typical day look like for a mom?
The most consistent thing about a mom's day is the inconsistency. She never knows what is going to be thrown at her, but rest-assured she is prepared anyways.
What fuels a mom?
No sleep and coffee are two things that fuel a mom on a daily basis, but she soldiers on regardless.
However, the number one thing that fuels a mom is her love for her children.
How Did She Become A Mom?
Some moms planned to have their kids biologically with their spouses and others have them by happy accident.
Some moms got their title by adopting their kids.
Still others used medical intervention to try and have their kids.
Regardless of their pathways to motherhood, they all have their challenges and they all earned their title of mom equally.
What does a mom think about?
A mom sometimes doubts herself and wonders if she's making the right decision for her family. She won't really know how she's doing until her kids grow up and make their own mark on the world.
A mom thinks about what she can do to help her kids become productive adults, how to provide for them, educate them, and nurture them.
A mom wonders how she can possibly get everything done in a day.
A mom worries constantly when her kids are sick, but always seems to have the best remedy.
A mom thinks about how long the days are and simultaneously wonders where the years have gone.
How Can I spot A mom?
Look for the woman that is giving all that she can to her family, while still trying to maintain her own sanity. No matter where she is, what she looks like, what state you catch her in, or what she's doing you can always tell, despite the stress of parenting and cleaning up the latest mess, that she has a heart that is full beyond measure with unconditional love pouring out.
HINT: If she looks like she has a lot of bags, possibly a little panicked, and she's trying to wrangle multiple little people, you've probably found her.
Happy Mother's Day!