The Moment I Realized I Never Gave My Mom Enough Credit

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen, REDBOOK


Grocery shopping with all my my kids starts with me schlepping them all through the snow, getting something besides fruit snacks in my basket and then running the candy gauntlet at the checkout. Then I truck everyone home and cook dinner while they drive me nuts. And the other day it ended with me laying on the floor thinking that it's amazing any kids ever survive to maturity. Then it hit me: I never truly appreciated my mom until this moment.

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There comes a point in every mom's life when you realize that the woman who gave you life did way more than that. And as a kid you never appreciated it. Here, some parents share "I never really appreciated my mom until..."

"Every time I try to feed my kids anything that isn't bread, cheese, pasta, or sugar-laden." - Natalie

"I drove my daughter to her friend's house (seven minutes away) and was grumbling about having to do it. Then I remembered that my mom drove one hour round trip times two to pick me up all the time so that I could be with my best friend. And I don't ever remember her grumbling about it." - Lizzy

"My mom was a horrible worry wart. She worried about everything that we did. Boy do I know how she feels now! If I could dress my kids in a Michelin man suit everyday I would!" - Krista

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"As a kid, I remember going the store with my whole family (eight girls with only nine years between the youngest and oldest!), and I clearly remember my dad taking off and leaving my mom with all the kids to watch and the shopping to do! Driving home after my shopping trip with my two kids, I always wonder how she stayed sane." - Melissa

"Every time I do laundry! My mom did laundry for five kids, including four smelly boys, plus my dad. We were all involved in sports and other activities, changing clothes frequently every day. Plus, she washed and ironed all of my dad's button down work shirts. I can only imagine how never-ending it must have felt." - Megan

"When my 13-year-old daughter was asked to do some chore around the house, her comment was "Who do you think I am, Cinderella?" When I realized she got that snarky mouth from me, I immediately called my mom and apologized for years 11-18." - Brenda

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"When my girls all got on their periods in the same year." - Justine

"When one of my daughters is muttering under her breath (yes, I was a champion mutterer!). I can't really get too mad because they definitely got it from me but boy do I appreciate my mom!" - Allison

"When I became a mom, I finally understood why my mom liked to serve leftovers so much!" - Melissa

What was your moment of parental epiphany?

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