A Successful Mother

Motherhood has been one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. The time I spend  trying to prevent the ladies from picking up my bad habits is substantial. Yes, I am working I am actually getting rid of the bad habits myself; but sometimes, it is just easier to hide the Peanut Butter M&Ms in my office or to turn up the radio in traffic so they can't hear the my choice of words. In addition to pointing out my many faults motherhood has also taught me many lessons. Perhaps, the most important being that happiness is not found it is created and it comes in many forms.  Caroline had and has her fair share of challenges but she is happy and content.  I don't think I have met anyone with a better disposition than Caroline. Her greatest joy in the world is looking at and talking about frogs, for the most part if someone takes something from her she walks away, and she diffuses intense situations with laughter.  Is Caroline happy because her autism prevents her from caring what other people think or is it because she creates her own happiness and invites others to share it? I like to think it is the latter.

Tonight I spent a few moments thinking about what would make me a successful mother.  I decided I would be consider myself a successful mother, if my ladies:

• Understood that happiness is not found, it is created,


• Know when to stand their ground and when to back down,


• Realize the wisdom that comes with saying, "I don't know",


• Act with kindness and understanding-for you never know what someone else is dealing with,


• Value and act with intention,


• Have a firm handshake and warm smile because a first impression only happens once,


• Embrace the love of learning more than the joy of "being right",


• Can change a tire but know when it is better to call AAA,


• Value friendships, and


• Know how to approach a stressful situation with logic and grace.

What would it take for you to consider yourself a successful parent?