Motherhood Gratitude List

Earlier this year, I started a Learning Circle through Power of Moms, the website that I’m a volunteer editor for. November’s theme was Valuing Motherhood, and our assignment was to answer this question:

What are you most grateful for about being a mother? What has motherhood taught you

or helped you to gain? Make a list of the “top 10” things you're grateful for as a mother at

this point in your life and be ready to share a few things from your list at our next meeting.

So here is my Top 10 List (after being a mom for just under 2 years):

1. I’m grateful for the deep sense of purpose and identity that motherhood has given me. No matter what, I will always be Isaac’s mother. Because of his needs, I have daily purpose. But ultimately, because I helped create his body and am responsible for his care and nurturing on this earth, I have eternal purpose as well. I feel great peace because of this sense of meaning and direction I have in my life.

2. I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness the miracle of human development so closely. I studied child and adolescent development in college, but it never mattered or amazed me like Isaac’s development and progress does. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of it.

3. I’m grateful for the unity and shared love that becoming parents has brought to my marriage. Isaac and Baby #2 are our greatest projects, our greatest hobbies, and no one loves them like we do.

4. I’m grateful for how indescribably beautiful, wonderful, and delicious your own baby is. And I’m grateful that in those baby months I was able to enjoy endless kisses.

5. I’m grateful for the laughter, smiles, and tickle flights Isaac brings into my life. My sense of humor is one of my weaker attributes, but Isaac helps bring it out of me.

6. I’m grateful for the opportunity to, in a small way, taste the love God has for me. The love a parent has for a child is different than any other type of love.

7. I’m grateful for the freedom and fun that comes with motherhood. The reality is that while my husband is in an office at a laptop all day, I sit outside while Isaac plays, occasionally go on fun outings, and have time to work on whatever I want to during nap time (at least until this baby comes . . . ).

8. I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach. I’ve always loved teaching, and now that I’m a mother, teaching is a natural part of my life.

9. I usually don’t feel grateful for the way motherhood challenges and stretches me, but I know in future years, I will be grateful for the creativity, patience, understanding, and coping techniques I will have developed as a result of motherhood.

10. I’m grateful for the love I receive as a mom. Although Isaac can’t express much yet, he shows his love for me in his eagerness to see me and share with me his discoveries, in his need for me when he is distressed, and by his desire to play with me and read with me. In the hectic moments, it’s hard to feel this love, but the overall base level of love in my life has definitely increased with motherhood.