Changing Diapers Doesn't Necessarily Make you a Mom

Another Mother’s Day has passed and with it came memories of my very first Mother’s Day experience.

I was a mom on Mother’s Day 2002, but I had never heard my child’s cry or seen his sweet baby face. I had never even changed his diaper. I didn't even know his birthday.

I’ll never forget that Mother’s Day. It was one of my first visits back to church after four long months of strict bed-rest.

During my first pregnancy, things were going pretty smoothly. I didn’t deal with morning sickness. I was able to go to work every day. And the only real turn-off I had was to anything related to Subway.

Yes, every time a commercial popped up for the “$5 Foot-Long” my stomach turned. Fruity Pebbles cereal, on the other hand, was my very best friend.

At 20 weeks into the pregnancy I was told that I was having premature labor. I was immediately admitted to the hospital to stop the contractions, and sent home later with instructions to lie flat – all the time. I was allowed to take a 3-minute shower each morning and go up and down our farmhouse stairs once a day. 

My biggest thrill was the weekly doctors’ visits when I was allowed to walk to and from the car and catch a glimpse of what was happening outside of my maternity jailhouse.

During that time, I read to my baby, sang him lullabies and journaled every single feeling I had as I made every effort to make the healthiest choices for my unborn child.

So as I sat in the pew that Mother’s Day morning 2002, swollen and looking as if I was about to give birth to a watermelon, I wasn’t sure what to do when the pastor asked all mothers to stand for recognition of their hard work.

Was I a mother yet? I hadn’t even met this child. Into which category did I fall?

I stood. Puffy face and aching back, I stood. Yes, I was a mother.

I was making sacrifices for this little person who I had yet to meet. I knew the time of day when his hiccups would tickle my belly. I told him to please tuck his elbow in so my ribs could have a break.

I was a mom and I had never changed my child’s diaper.

This concept got my wheels turning this past week. There are so many "moms" I know who are moms in different ways.

Bottom line…moms out there need to make sure they’re giving themselves the credit they deserve. If you love something and put forth the effort to nurture it to the best of your ability, then consider yourself a mom.

Happy belated Mothers' Day!