Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend, and it has me thinking a lot about how being a mom has changed me for the better. Every day with my children I work hard to try and be the best parent that I can, trying to anticipate their needs. However, each day they manage to flip the script on me (in a good way)! I learn patience and persistence from them on a daily basis. Most importantly though, they have shown me what unconditional love truly means. My children have also taught me how to be present and in the moment, which is something that can be really hard to do when you are a working mom and have a lot of responsibility in your life. As a mom who can be a little OCD, my children have made me realize that it is okay to leave some dirty dishes in the sink for a while, or to not write that email right away, and to just live in the moment. I have learned that it is worth giving up a little control in my life, to be able to sit and watch a movie with them or just have time to bond. Growing up, I had a mother who some would say, was a strict parent. Now that I am a parent, I can see that everything she did and how she parented, was done completely out love for her children. I grew up to love the person that I am, and to feel confident about myself, and that is because of my mom. She worked so hard to develop good character, strong faith and to instill a secure sense of self in her kids. There is no way that I would have been able to navigate a career in the spotlight, and remain true to my values and faith, had it not been for my mom. How she raised me has had such an incredible impact on who I am today, and now in turn, how I am raising my own children. I have also been lucky enough to have children around the same time as my sister! Tia had her son before I had Aden, and she was always 100% honest with me about her experience with motherhood. She really helped prepare me for both the joys and the realities of what being a mom looked like. Most importantly, she taught me that as a mom, it is okay to keep pursuing your dreams while being a devoted parent. That was something that I was really struggling with —  I wasn’t sure that it was going to be possible to keep growing my career and have children. My sister has the most beautiful and special relationship with her son, and she really showed me that that as a mom, you can do both. I love sharing motherhood moments with her. Some days we just laugh because we will try and talk on the phone after a long day, and neither of us can even finish a thought because we are so tired! To be able to experience all the aspects of motherhood alongside my sister is one of the most amazing blessings. I have only been a parent for four years, and I can’t imagine my life without my children! Parenting is both the hardest and most blissful job I have ever had. When you’re a mom, there is no such thing as a day off, and yes, exhaustion becomes your new normal. But you just figure it out! Hats off to all the mommys out there!  Xo Tamera Save Save