on being a good mother

I've had some thoughts about motherhood swirling in my head lately, and this seems like a good place to set them down.

I want to be a good mom. I think you probably do, too. It is easy for me to get caught up in the day to day responsibilities required of a mother, and to think that because I am doing these things, then I am fulfilling my role. I clean, I cook, I get kids ready for school. I do a lot of laundry. I drive to piano lessons, I cheer at t-ball games. I make sure homework is finished. These things are important, of course, but maybe they aren't the most important.

If I want to be a good mother, instead of focusing so much of my energy on the physical aspects of my job, I think I need to focus more on the spiritual. Specifically my spiritual well being. Am I reading my scriptures? Am I being diligent in my prayers? Am I keeping my covenants? Am I looking for opportunities to serve? Am I following Jesus Christ?

I am beginning to see that if these are my priorities, then I will have more of those easy, peaceful days. Days where I am better able to be loving and patient. Days where things go smoothly, and even when they don't, I can still be happy and kind.