I love being a mom.
I also love reading articles about other women’s experiences and admiring all of the different ways that you can actually be a mom.
I think that is one of the best things about being a mom – that there are a million ways to be a good one!
When you become a mom, you often wonder if you know everything you need to.
Articles on the internet, magazines in the check-out line at the grocery store, AND even strangers at the park will give you unsolicited lists of things that you “NEED” to know as a mom.
Advice ranges on everything from how to change a diaper, multi-tasking, how to make three meals a day, sleep training, getting blowout stains out of your favorite skirt, crawling, walking, potty training, time outs, sharing, coloring in the lines, arranging play dates and how to clean your house seven times a day.
The list of the things you, as a mom, should know in the world’s eyes is endless.
But what should a mom know? What should a mom TRULY, REALLY know?
Does she really NEED to know how to potty train her kid in three days or less or how to make three home cooked meals on a daily basis? Those things are nice and definitely would come in handy – but here is a list of 25 things every mom should REALLY know.
1. THE INFLUENCE OF A MOTHER IN THE LIVES OF HER CHILDREN IS BEYOND CALCULATION: {James E. Faust}
You are their example. You are their role model. They are always watching you. What you say to them, how you treat them and what you say about them directly effects the person they are becoming. Be the person you want them to be.
2. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN YOUR CHILD LEARNS TO WALK OR TALK OR POTTY TRAIN:
For some it may take a day to learn and for others it takes years. They’ll do it when they are ready and at their own pace. Slow down and enjoy them while they’re little. They will be running around, talking back and there will be no more diapers around the house before you know it. The best advice I was given was, “Wait until they are ready.” Don’t torture yourself or get down when something doesn’t come easy. They will get it eventually. Stay positive and be their biggest cheerleader.
3. YOUR CHILD WILL APPRECIATE SIMPLICITY:
Children are simple. They love to run, explore, learn, read, sing and sometimes be a little silly and crazy. They don’t need too many “things” they just need a lot of YOU. Let them be little. Let their lives be simple. And be present in their little lives.
4. THE JOY IN MOTHERHOOD COMES FROM MOMENTS: {M. Russell Ballard}
There will be hard times and frustrating times, but amid the challenges there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.
5. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU ARE ON TIME:
What matters is that you are going places. Every time you run out of the house you will lose something: your keys, your phone, someone’s left shoe they had on just moments before. Don’t worry about being on time – just worry about getting there safely.
6. YOUR KIDS MENTAL HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR GRADES:
Lift them up. Tell them they are smart. Tell them they are loved. In a world full of hate and disappointment, be the one who can make them feel good about themselves.
7. THE BEST TOYS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD, IS A PARENT TO PLAY WITH THEM:
Get down on the ground and play a game, sing songs, play dress up, have an imagination and teach them how to truly play.
8. IF FOR A WHILE THE HARDER YOU TRY, THE HARDER IT GETS, TAKE HEART. SO IT HAS BEEN WITH THE BEST PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED: {Jeffrey R. Holland}
Life gets so hard. And as a mom it gets even harder. It isn’t just you anymore – you have a little person that is completely dependent on you. Keep going. Don’t give up. It will be worth it in the end.
9. IT’S NORMAL TO CRY EVERY TIME YOU READ THE BOOK I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER:
No matter how strong you think you are, you will ball your eyes out when you read that book! It just comes with motherhood.
10. IT’S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU GAVE UP TO HAVE A CHILD, IT’S ABOUT WHAT YOU GAINED FROM HAVING ONE: {Sunny Gupta}
You give up a lot when you become a mom. Your freedom, your late nights, your alone time, your friends, your body, your mind, your money, your space, your old life. But the things you gain from it makes you want to do it all over again, a million times. The love. The smiles. The giggles. The cuddles. The I love yous. The memories. The friend. The new life that you wouldn’t trade for a thing.
11. YOU WILL NOT JUST BEAR A CHILD, YOU WILL CONTINUE BEARING WITH THEM: {Jeffrey R. Holland}
FOREVER. Being a mom is an eternal role. You will forever be a mom and will forever bear with your child. Through every bump, hard time and trial that comes their way – you will love them and hold their hand.
12. YOUR ARMS ARE MORE COMFORTING THAN ANYONE ELSE’S: {Princess Diana}
Because sometimes they just need YOU! They will just need their mom.
13. IT’S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER TO KNOW SHE IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT ALSO MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS SHE IS SMART, STRONG AND CAPABLE:
And don’t just tell her… but show her.
14. THE SECRET TO A CLEAN HOUSE IS TO KNOW THAT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE CLEAN:
Your house will never be clean, but that is TOTALLY fine. You have a family. And people live there. And memories and happiness is much more important than cleanliness.
15. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHER MOMS, THEY ARE ALL HOT MESSES, SOME JUST HIDE IT REALLY WELL:
It’s the truth. We all have hard times. Just fake it till you make it, they say!
16. IT IS EASIER TO BUILD STRONG CHILDREN THAN TO REPAIR BROKEN ADULTS: {Frederick Douglass}
Build them up now. Help them become the BEST they can be and never let a day go by that they don’t know that they are loved.
17. THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE AREN’T THINGS:
They are people. The little ones running around your house right now as you read this.
18. THERE IS NO APP THAT REPLACES YOUR LAP:
Read to your children. Pull a book off the shelf and read it in a silly animated voice. Point at pictures and let them read to you. Not only will the learn, but you get the cuddles too.
19. YOU MISS 100% OF THE NAPS YOU DON’T TAKE:
If you are tired and your baby is sleeping. YOU SLEEP TOO! You never want to regret not getting that rest that you absolutely deserved.
20. THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK YOU WILL EVER DO, WILL BE WITHIN THE WALLS OF YOUR OWN HOME: {Harold B. Lee}
Your job is important. Your friends are important too. But the most important work you will ever do – will be the work you do for your family.
21. SILENCE IS GOLDEN, UNLESS YOU ARE A MOM. THEN IT IS VERY VERY SUSPICIOUS:
A mom dreams of silence and a little bit of quiet time – but be careful when it comes. Because they are most likely getting into something or making a mess that you don’t know about.
22. RAISE THEM TO BE KIND & RAISE THEM TO BE AWESOME:
Because kindness and awesome are the two most important things they can become.
23. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR CHILDREN, BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM TO DO FOR THEMSELVES: {Ann Landers}
You can do everything for your child, but what is most important is what you have taught them.
24. ALL MOTHERS ARE SLIGHTLY INSANE:
We’re all a little crazy in our special ways. Embrace the insane and roll with the punches! You can choose to either laugh or cry… laughing is much more fun.
25. YOU ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE: {Jeffrey R. Holland}
YOU, dear mama, are doing PERFECT. Just the very fact that you are doubting yourself shows the world that you care. Keep your chin up and keep pressing forward. You are doing SUCH a good job.
So next time someone tells you the things you “NEED” to know as a mom – refer them to this list. Because these are the things that really matter.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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