A Mother's Heart, a good mother

Motherhood has changed me in so many ways. It has changed my thoughts and my heart.

One of the greatest changes has been my perspective on what makes a good mother.

As a young mother I had these grand notions that being a 'good' mother meant playing with children all day and letting them do whatever they wanted. Man, did I have my head in the clouds! I can still remember clearly the day I was shocked to learn that I needed to discipline, to teach, to restrain and to help create a house of order in our home.

At the start I found it difficult and emotional. Now, after being a stay-at-home-mum for 12 years, with my younger kids I often think to myself:

"Good try...
I have seen it all before! 

So not going to work". 

My poor cherubs.

Recently, I was asked by a young friend of mine to list what I thought were essential qualities needed to be a good mother. I thought it would be an easy task and found I needed several days to really ponder over what I would add to my list.

It was a wonderful opportunity to assess where I was at, what I believed to be essential and to look at the long way I still had to go in my mothering skills. Here are some of the qualities that made it onto my list in no particular order (now remember this is an ideal kind of list and there is no such thing as a perfect mother):

1. Knows the power of prayer (is humble and knows she is not alone in this work)
2. Cooking skills (knows how to plan and make healthy meals)
3. Sense of humour (being a mother can be down right depressing some days, being able to laugh makes a big difference)
4. Organised (a house of order brings happiness and routine brings security)
5. Kindness/compassionate (children face pressure everywhere, they need a soft voice and a refuge at home)
6. Self reliant (can emotionally face challenges and deal with them)
7. Selfless (understands that being a mother is about serving the family 24/7)
8. Good listener (knows when to bite her tongue and just listen)
9. Honest (with herself and her children)
10. Patient (knows the importance of sacrifice and going without)

 There are a lot more qualities I would add but to have a little fun I decided to also send her my added bonus list:

1. Knows how to have fun
2. Can sing
3. Can dance
4. Has fashion sense
5. Technology skills
6. Knows how to throw a good party
7. Can draw
8. Bargain shopper :)

So what would you put on your list of what makes a good mother? 

Is it a long list or does it just have a few qualities?

While you are thinking about it - I would love you to link up with our 'Mother Heart' Linky.

It can be an old post, a new post and any type of post that relates to being a mother.

I am looking forward to your thoughts and heart felt words.