When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, Raegan, I couldn’t wait to share the news with my Mom. Being that I was now a Virginia resident and she still lived in Georgia I had to share the news with her via FaceTime. My husband and I came up with this little cute reveal for our Moms, and I watched her light completely up. It was one of the most amazing times of my adult life. I was excited about this new phase that was about to unfold for me, and interestingly enough, it would be during this particular phase that our relationship would take on another dimension. I didn’t know how much I would need my mother with me during my pregnancy, but I quickly found out how much I wanted her with me. In order to soften the blow of being 8 hours apart we FaceTimed every day, several times a day, during my pregnancy...and now that I’m the mother of two daughters, not much about that has changed.
My Mom is one of my biggest MOMspirations (yes, I definitely just made that up), so I took to FaceTime to ask her a few questions about motherhood. See a few of the questions and answers below:
Me: Ma, growing up did you always know that you wanted children?
Mama: No, not always. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school, I think, that I knew I wanted a child one day. A little girl…I wanted a little girl. I went to college right after graduating high school, but that didn’t go so well so I came home and started working. That was pretty much my life...just working. Then came you… You came into the picture much earlier than I expected though. I wasn’t ready for a child when I actually got pregnant. I was actually in denial at first, until the sickness wouldn’t let up. I was sick day-in and day-out...so I finally came to grips with the fact that I was going to be having a child.
My mother conceived me at the age of 22 and gave birth to me at the age of 23. She was a single mother for over a decade. She married my [bonus] Dad on my 14th birthday.
Me: How did the way you were raised shape the way you raised me?
Mama: I know times may not have been the best overall for my family when I was a child, but I never experienced any lack growing up. It could have been because I was the baby, and the only girl, but I believe I had it really good. So, I knew when I had you I would do anything I had to do to make sure that you had any, and everything, that you needed. I knew I would work hard to get you things that you wanted as well.
My mother is the baby of 9 children (her 4 oldest brothers have passed on) and is the only girl.
Me: Were there any experiences you had growing up with Mama that you knew you wouldn’t implement into your own journey of motherhood?
Mama: No. I always wanted to be to you who my Mama was to me.
I call both my Grandma and my Mama, “Mama”...and if you know my Grandma - this statement my Mama made, as beautiful as it is, comes as no surprise.
Me: I know there are pieces of what I do with my children that make you proud because they are things you did with me, however, is there anything that I do that you don’t like because it differs from what you did?
Mama: The way you discipline seems to be different. I think you talk to and explain things a little more than I did. Not to say that I don’t like it, but it’s different. That’s about it though...I think you’re doing a tremendous job with your children.
I’ll reserve my comment about how I was disciplined as a child. Just know that no action taken against me was “unjust”, and then pray that I don’t reap HALF of what I sowed as a child. LOL!
Me: What makes you most proud to be my mother?
Mama: The way you raise your children. You make me proud anyway, but to see you shine as a mother is something greater than I could’ve ever imagined.
I do my best to raise my girls the way God would have me to, and with the intention of making Him proud. However, to know that I’ve made my MOM proud in the process is not something I take lightly. I wouldn’t pick another Mom even if I could...she truly moves, and inspires me!
