My husband was raised without a mom since the age of four. And although he’s done quite well as a parent (usually better than me) there are holes in his life that only a mommy could have filled. You don’t really find out for sure how much a mom does, until you see the places she wasn’t. In time, God has helped my husband with those missing places, but it could have been so much easier with a mommy by his side.

I’ve made a list of “mom” influences in hopes that you moms out there will realize what a valuable role you play in the life of your children.

• Moms, for the most part, help a child learn language.
• Reading is fun, especially when you sit on mommy’s lap and turn the pages.
• Color coordination and modesty are essential. “You are not wearing that!”
• Confidence in self is important. “I know you can do it.”
• We show our children how to achieve goals in the midst of chaos
• That loving people is risky, but highly worth it.
• Proper humor
• Little things like phone calls, cards, and kind words make a person feel special
• Good hygiene is important.
• A sick person gets better faster when you rub his or her back and sing.
• A skinned knee will heal faster if you apply medicine, a bandage, and prayer
• Money is nice, but friends are of more value.
• Flowers and color brighten up a home.
• The house doesn’t matter, family matters.
• Cars can be fixed and accidents happen
• Giggling is great medicine.
• God has a plan, even when it doesn’t look like he does.
• Beauty fades, but faith endures.
• Mommy will always, always, always, love you.