With my daughter Andi

What does it entail to be a mom?  I think about it and it seems like the demands of of being one are sometimes beyond what is humanly possible.

Just a few weeks ago, all of a sudden I had an extremely difficult time making Andi eat. I did everything from feeding her while watching TV, to making shapes out of her food, to singing to her, to bribing her, and nothing worked. I struggled and even cried for days out of frustration. She plainly refused to eat anything, and she even cries whenever she does. This was so unlike her. Just when I was about to give up, I tried checking her mouth to see if something was bothering her. And there it was, she had mouth sores! Thank God I saw them and I finally figured the cause of our problem.

Moms need an EXTRA EYE to see beyond what one normally sees.

Andi, my daughter (1year 9months) talks nonstop. My husband tells everyone that she got that from me. Anyway, I am glad that Andi started talking early because I love conversing with her. However, she did not start out well versed when she started uttering her first words. Here are some examples of her words. (Some of these she has finally corrected…) Bitsy = Water (came from the song “The Itsy Bitsy Spider Came Up the Water…), Mix= Oatmeal (because you mix it with milk and sugar), Chocolate-lait = Chocolate Milk, Kandoodoo=Kangaroo, Elpant=Elephant, Bodon=Balloon, Bibo= Rainbow, Do-da= Sound of Music (Do- a -deer). There are simply things that only a mom can understand, literally.

Moms need to HEAR beyond what is being said.

Taking care of a toddler is physically taxing. I only have one at the moment. Hats off to those moms who have a lot! JA and I want to have 3-4 kids. Oh I am so thrilled and scared just thinking about it! …I wonder how would that be, when the time comes.

Moms need SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH.

Being a mom goes beyond taking care of our kids physically. We need the SENSITIVITY to feel what they are going through. We need to have COMFORTING ARMS to hug them when they need it. We need to have INTELLECT to teach them and equip them. We need to give AFFIRMING WORDS to build them up and encourage them. We need to have the WISDOM and DISCERNMENT when to give and to hold back. We need PATIENCE. We need UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. We need to be SELFLESS.

Being a mom is like being a SUPERHERO.

Does it sound impossible? For me, it kinda does. Is it overwhelming? At times, oh yes, definitely!

BUT I would gladly ACCEPT the CHALLENGE to be ONE.

I WANT to be my child’s SUPERHERO for as long as I can.

Besides I AM NOT doing it on my own, because I CANNOT do it alone. I PARTNER with GOD in my parenting. And that, NOT my parenting style, skill  or knowledge assures me that I can be successful in completing this wonderful task given to me. At least FOR ME, there is NO OTHER WAY.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. NIV

Andi enjoying her yogurt.