Mother's Day Reflection: The Unexpected Gifts of Parenting Through 2020

Mother's Day has always been my favorite celebration each year. After conquering a 5-year struggle with infertility via adoption and then having seven babies, I've always relished this special day, not because it's a Hallmark holiday, but because it's a milestone day that celebrates the most important role I'll ever have in life.

I've always relished Mother's Day, not because it's a Hallmark holiday, but because it's a milestone day that celebrates the most important role I'll ever have in life.

I created a tradition for myself 28 years ago when I first became a mom. Each year on the eve of Mother's Day, I write myself a letter of celebration. The letter recaps the ups and downs of my year as a mother. Although I focus mostly on gratitude, I keep it honest and jot down any challenges I had to overcome. When I'm finished, I review the letter, laugh and cry, then seal it and put it away to read the following year on Mother's Day. As May approaches, I excitedly anticipate reading last year's reflection. Not only does my annual letter to myself showcase the ups and downs of motherhood, but it also reminds me of just how much my family and I have grown over the past year. I encourage you to give it a try, yourself!

If you'd like to send an email to your future self instead of writing on paper, try FutureMe.org. You can write yourself a letter and then FutureMe will hide the letter from you (to preserve the surprise) and deliver it to your email inbox on a future date that you've set.

This year, as I reflect on what's happened since Mother's Day 2020, I'm looking back on a year like none other—the year I parented through a global pandemic. It can be hard to look for the bright spots after living through a year like this one, but looking for the positives is in my nature. I discovered four ways that the pandemic has influenced motherhood for the better, and I'd like to share them with you.

The definition of raising a successful child has shifted

When I first laid eyes on motherhood, I had grand notions of everything I wanted my child to be—intelligent, engaging, self-sufficient, and distinguished, with the ability to change the world for the better. It's a big list, but I believed in aiming high.

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