An Open Letter To Moms

Hi Moms,

Let me start out by saying how much you should be loved and appreciated. I know recently a lot has been said on the internet about the value of moms and the dream that some young girls and women have of one day becoming a mother. If there are women reading this that have no desire to get married of have kids, that’s perfectly fine. The beauty of your life is that you choose what is a priority and you get to set your own list of goals. If the top of that list is to backpack through Asia, then by all means, go for it. You could even have your friends throw a shower for you so you’ll have all kinds of supplies for your trip.

The unfortunate thing is that, for some reason, the role of a mom has been looked at as giving up on your dreams or settling. While it may apply to some who never wanted to be a mother, I’m willing to bet the vast majority of moms don’t look around at their children and think, “Wow, what an absolute waste.” Being a full time mom is a tough job, and like all other jobs, I’m sure there are days when you want to get in the car, drive to the nearest bar, and start throwing back shots of tequila like your life depended on it.

On the other hand, the joy of seeing your child walk on his/her own, or count to ten for the first time would have to be the most incredible feeling in the world. You created this moment. You raised and nurtured this tiny being and look at the abilities he’s/she’s obtained. That’s because of you. Later on in life you get to see that same child that you poured values into, and that you held next to you in the bed after he/she had a bad dream walk across a stage and receive a diploma for completing school. How do you describe the pride and honor you feel or raising a child that is now a contributing part of society and could go on to save lives or to cure diseases? You may not have your name on a plaque or climbed the corporate ladder, but a human life has been shaped and molded because of you.

I’m not going to pretend to be an expert of feminism and go on some rant about defining the roles of each gender. My feeling was that feminism is supporting a woman’s right to choose the path for her life and accomplish the dreams that she has, no matter how difficult those may be. What sort of backwards thinking would give anyone the right to say, “No, your dream is stupid and therefore it’s invalid and a waste of time.” Moms, I appreciate the work you do and I don’t think for one second that if your dream was to be a mom you’ve done anything wrong. I mean, without moms none of us would be here, right?

I was lucky enough to grow up with a mom who stayed at home and took care of us. It’s a luxury that some don’t have because we all can’t afford nannies or cleaning ladies or personal shoppers. My mom was there for me when I felt like I was completely alone in the world. She worked hard to raise her children and would do it all over again. I appreciate the service that my mom provided to our family. If you’re a mom reading this, then obviously I don’t have to tell you the joys you find in being a mother or even a wife, if that’s applicable to you too. What I do want you to know is that you are valuable and you are a vital part of society. Don’t let anyone diminish your accomplishments or look down on you. Thank you for everything that you do.