One of the best things about parenting in the age of the internet is that it has gotten a lot easier to talk about how hard being a mom can be. And, look, parenting during a pandemic is not easy thing, so the mom life has been hard for a lot of us. And while it is good to be honest about the challenges of mom life, there's also a place for talking openly about the flip-side of that, which is that it's also OK to be open about the things we love about being a mom.
So, in honor of surving a year of pandemic parenting, let's celebrate the things that we love about being a mom! We talked to 20 moms who shared the big and little things that make being a mom totally worth it, even when it is hard.
Separate People
"I love big kids and their personalities and they way that they become people separate from me. And then I get to know who that separate person is β and love them and support them and have a bond with them based on the person theyβve become." β Melanie F., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Introducing the World
"I love introducing them to the world and things I think theyβll enjoy. It's fun to watch them crack up at books I liked as a kid too (The Monster at the End of the Book Starring Grover TOTALLY holds up!) and seeing them try new snacks or movies or whatever. It's fun to be their guide." β Lara S., Oakland, California
Mundane Things
"I love the mundane things like laying out their clothes for school, packing lunches, and running them to after-school activities. When I was a kid, this is what I always imagined what being a mom would be like. Itβs weird how much I enjoy it." β Megan P., Denton, Texas
Teens Are Great
"People feel anxious about having teens, but parenting teens is actually great. I love that they are now growing up. They are interesting people with ideas and opinions. We have really great conversations. I am so excited to see what they do in the future." β Beth A., Rock Hill, South Carolina
Favorite Person
"I'm not going to lie β I think it is really fun to be someone's favorite person in the whole world. I love when I walk in the run and my baby's face lights up and she is just so damn happy to see me. And it's amazing that my body is what gives her comfort when she is sad or upset. I love that my arms are her safe place." β Anya D., Fremont, California
Kids Are Weird
"My favorite thing about being a mom is how delightfully weird little kids are. My kids make me laugh all the time. I love watching them play and seeing the little universes they create as they play. They are so fun and I'm entertained on a daily basis." β Marla I., Billings, Montana
My Dream
"Honestly? So far everything is my favorite thing about being a parent. It took me a long time to get pregnant and I'm just so excited to be living my dream of getting to be a mom. My daughter is still young but I'm just loving our bond and our life together so far." β Kiki D., Virginia, Minnesota
The Kids Are Alright
"I really love parenting my teens right now because they give me so much hope. My daughter and her friends are just so confident and kind and caring. They are into social justice and being inclusive and there is just no mean girl drama. They make me feel like they are going to really change the world for the better and I'm super proud of them." β Sarah F., Tucson, Arizona
The Rolls
"My son is 9 months old and he is SO CHUBBY. Just rolls on rolls on rolls. I really love snuggling him and I just find his chunky little self to be so delightful. Not only is he super cute, but he reminds me that I should love my chunky self too." β Olivia B., St. Paul, Minnesota
The Sound of Laughter
"Having a toddler is hard and he has so many big feelings, so we are kind of deep in the tantrum phase. But, oh man, the sound of his big belly laughs make me so happy. I can't help but feel happy when I hear him laughing and knowing that he thinks I'm funny." β Marisol G., Tempe, Arizona
Love Language
"Physical touch is my love language. I am super cuddly and huggy and my husband is very loving but he is not a touchy-feely guy. So I do love that being a mom means that I get so many snuggles and hugs and kisses and time to hold my kids. Even as they get older, they are still pretty affecionate, which makes me feel lucky." β Jamie D., Gary, Indiana
Family Trip
"I really love traveling with my kids. I was actually kind of nervous about it pre-kids, because I love traveling so much and I wasn't sure how it would be with kids. And it did suck when they were little! But now it is fun to explore the outdoors and the rest of the world with them." β Lexie S., Asheville, North Carolina
Learning From Her
"We're at the cool stage where my daughter teaches me about things. Not only can I do multiple TikTok dances, but her new interest/obsession with makeup and skin care means that my skin has never looked better. It's just fun to see the things she gets passionate about and to be able to join in with it." β Michelle J., Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Doing It Right
"I was raised in a really closed-minded, racist family and I enjoy the fact that I am raising my kids to be good, kind, progressive people. I feel like I'm doing it right compared to my childhood and I feel proud to watch my kids learn to embrace a diverse world." β Pammie R., Olympia, Washington
My Buddy
"My daughter is just my little buddy. I love that she loves to spend time with me and that even things like a trip to Target are more fun because she wants to come and look at clothes with me. She's just a fun little person and I dig hanging out with her." β Val R., Stillwater, Oklahoma
Just the Two of Us
"My husband died of cancer when my son was 3 and it's been just the two of us ever since then. I love being his mom and I love that his dad lived long enough to give me the chance to be a parent. My son looks a lot like his dad and that gives me peace, too. Plus, he's just a great kid." β Amy E., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Soccer Girls
"I was a college soccer player and it is so fun that my daughter is starting to fall in love with my favorite sport. She's still pretty casual but she's starting to get hooked on this thing that I was so passionate about. I'm not trying to live through her or anything, just loving having a shared interest." β Nina K., Altoona, Iowa
Goofy World
"Little kids are the funniest people on the planet. My daughter tells me all of these wild stories about this goofy world she has created for her dolls and I'm super into it. She doesn't censor herself at all and I admire that and wish I could be more like her." β Deena E., Green Bay, Wisconsin
Powerful
"I love being a mom but I also really love being pregnant. It's magical to realize how powerful my body is. I made and fed people! With my body! Like, how cool is that? I feel more confident as a woman since I had kids and it feels good to love my body in a different way." β Jen R., Ames, Iowa
Only Her
"I wasn't sure if I wanted to have kids because I don't really like kids. Like as a general thing, kids aren't something I'm interested in. Never babysat, never held babies, just not my thing. But I really, really like my daughter. I love her but I also like her as a person. I enjoy being a parent because I enjoy being her parent." β Tisha B., Baltimore, Maryland
