motherhood, be at the crossroads

I have been doing a little reading about motherhood and falling in love again with a talk I read by Ezra Taft Benson titled 'To the Mothers In Zion". I love his uplifting, encouraging words:

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realisation of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world"

Some days I feel like all my effort and caring is not making any difference, that my children don't appreciate the love and tenderness I try to show them. His words remind me that this great work I am doing within the walls of my home is making a great influence and is a noble work.

His talk also got me thinking about how as a mother I try to be around for my children. To be at home during those crucial times when they might need me. For those precious moments when the children leave and return from school, when they bring friends over and when in the future they return home from dates and other fun nights out. 

I want to be there for them whether they are six or sixteen.
I want them to know I am interested in them.
That I care about them.
That I am a support, a listening ear and a friend.

Often they don't seem to need me, or want to chat to be about anything really serious, or really seem to need me to be there but...I make it a priority every day to be available during those times in case they do need me and I can do or say something that might help them for the better.

Being at the crossroads means I need to be prepared.
I have a snack ready so we can sit down and chat.
I have thought of questions I want to ask them and clear my schedule so I can listen.

Often I use this time to chat to the kids about school.

How was your day? Who did you play with?
What games did you play? Did you feel sad today?
What made you happy today?

These questions have really given me an insight into how they are feeling which in a lot of ways I feel is more important than what did you learn today or what did you study about today?

I believe that as we focus on being around at those crossroads moments we can help guide them to live a memorable happier life. We can help them with the choices they make and support them in the challenges they face.

I know not every mother has this luxury to be at home and many mother's are trying their best to be available when it matters most. For this I think mother's will be blessed in the relationship they have with their children. It helps them grow into secure adults as they feel of the devotion that mothers have towards them.

Being a mother is a noble work and I love that I get to make my life more memorable by being at home and get to help the life of my children be more memorable as we chat and snack and talk about the things that matter most.