3. I am a great mom

What I know for sure.... I am a great mom!



On Sept 18th, 2007, God blessed me and La'Quindon with a beautiful baby boy. I was terrified, scared, and an emotional wreck. At the time, I wouldn't admit it or even show it for that matter. Anytime, I set out to do something, I try to give it my all. And having Kaedyn certainly wasn't any different. I promised my baby boy the day we left the hospital, that I would be the best mama in the world to him and I would always be there for him. That is a promise that I have taken seriously and will continue to as long as I live.



Motherhood has been a journey and has taught me a lot about life. I've learned I can't do it all, and sometimes it is okay to ask for help. I've also learned that the end of the day, none of that other stuff doesn't matter.



I participated in a small Bible study group last year, that helped me grow a lot as a person. We studied the book of Ephesians. I remember a particular session in which we talked about how God had blessed each of us with children and what was our take on it (or something to this effect). I remember sharing with the group that I felt proud and honored that God chose me as the vessel in which Kaedyn was brought into the world. Words can't express how awesome that I feel that God chose me to be his mother. What an awesome responsibilty. I keep reminding myself of that each and everytime I someone critizes my parenting or discipline methods. I mean, God trusted me to be his mother. The woman who teaches, nutures, and encourages him. You know he could have trusted this responsibility to anyone else, but he entrusted it to me. So, he trusts and thinks that I am the best mother for this child. My heart gets overwhelmed just thinking about it. I really am thankful for all the poeple God has put in his life. His father, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone all play a vital role in shaping him into a great young man and productive citizen.


One of the other things on my list is "My mother was one of the greatest women who walked this Earth." Well, I say that for so many reasons. Probably one of the most important was that she taught me how to be a mother. Motherhood has been somewhat of a journey for me, because my mother is not here for me to seek advice and counsel in raising Kaedyn. Childbirth was difficult, but I knew my mother's presence was there. The late, sleepless, lonely nights and times when I felt like there was no hope and things would never get better, I knew she was there. And as time has gone on, I know she is there. It gets so difficult when you wanna pick up the phone and call your mama to ask her a question or share all the cute things they do as the grow up. But I know that she is in heaven smiling down upon us. I know she would be head over heels about Kaedyn and he would love him just as much as everyone does down here.



Being a mom is a tough job. I learned that one very early on. I vowed that no matter what happened that Kaedyn would be a priority and that he would know that he was a priority. I feel it is very important that Kae is raised in a home that is loving, respectful, and truly understands, acknowledges, and takes everyones feelings and emotions into consideration. Some say I am too easy on him and that I baby him too much. But I want him to be know the difference between emotions and know that as a male it is okay to express them. I see the product in the kids I teach and often their parents when poeple deny their feelings. I see the product when children are reared in a loving home and when respect isn't present. I don't want that for my child. I him to have better and I want him to know better. I'm in no way trying to make him a punk or a sissy (as some have said), I just want him to be well rounded. It is as just as important as being well mannered, smart, outgoing, or whatever avenue he decides to take in life. Parenting is tough, because you don't always get reward instanteous. But I keep reminding myself, that it is no different than life. You do the best you can, with what you got, with where you are now. Who is say that my way is wrong and theirs is right. I strongly believe that the decisions I make in regards to my child are in his best interest. Now 10, 20 years down the road, things I have done and said may be deemed as cruel and unhumaine (I doubt it!), but we live and we learn....and I'm doing the best I can!

There are moments in which I am proud of my Kaedyn. Like Sunday, he sung at church in front of a packed auidence. My baby sung his heart out.... "This is the day that the Lord has made" It brought tears to my eyes. (doesn't take much these days) I just know that God has a special annointing over him! He makes me so proud and that big ole' grin is is just PRICELESS! Now, I won't paint a perfect picture as if he doesn't chide my hide sometimes, but I know that comes along with growing up and testing the boundaries.

Someone asked me once, what the most important thing I can could give my child. My response, was my time! Time is precious and can never be replaced. Time is probably one of life's greatest resources and one of things taken for granted most. I make every effort to spend as much quality time with Kaedyn as possible. Whether it is riding his bike out in the street, tickle fights, dance parties, or taking him to the 'green store' (B&N), I try to make sure that he understands that although there is a lot going on in the world, sometimes it is the little things that is important. I certainly hope that he remembers all the time we spend together and is able to carry that on with his own children one day. I am certainly not a rich woman, and I don't have a lot to offer, but I can give him my time and love. Both of which, I have a ton of!

So, I may not be a stay - at -home that fixes homecooked meals three times a day, keeps the house spotless, Claire Huxtable, June Cleaver, or even Roseanne, but I am a mama who is taking it one day at a time and doing the best I can. I pray that God continues to continues to strengthen me and guide me in the right direction as Kaedyn's mom. I pray that he also continues to strengthen everyone else in his life so they may be postive role models for him as well.

One thing, I know for sure . . . . I am a great mom!