A Mother's Role

Mother's Role in a Family  "By divine design...Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."  (Family Proclamation, paragraph 7)

Such a simple statement. So true and also so frightening! As a relatively new mother of 2 I have recently experienced a few panic attacks over this thought. What a great responsibility! ("great" meaning huge and somewhat overwhelming). A large amount of what these little people grow up to think and to do will depend on what they learn from me and my example.

Can I do this?! Can I teach them patience when my own is so often worn thin? Can I show them the importance of the scriptures when all I can manage to read in a day is 2 or 3 verses? Can I help them to live a balanced life when my own is so off kilter?

I take comfort in the fact that I'm not doing this alone. Heavenly Father loves these kids even more than I do and I really feel His guidance and inspiration as I try my best. I guess that's all I can do right? But so often I feel that my "best" isn't good enough. Maybe that's a lesson I have to learn still. Maybe that's the key...maybe my children will benefit more from the lessons I learn than from whatever I think I can teach them. Hmmm, I may be on to something.