
5 Things All Smart Mothers Know
What are the things that all great mothers know? As if being a mother wasn’t hard enough, throw in a pandemic where it’s now a routine to juggle a full-time job and taking care of the kids, all at home. In order to alleviate some of the day to day pressures, it’s important to take a step back and reflect from time to time.
You Don’t Need to be Perfect
Too often, parents think they need to be perfect. Fortunately, it’s quite enough to try your best to be an attentive, fair, supportive mother to your youngster. Pushing for perfection has the potential to harm both of you because you end up visibly demonstrating a need to lead an error-free life, something no one can do. That kind of attitude rubs off on young minds and does nothing more than spread perfectionism from you to your children.

It’s Wise to Encourage Education
One of the most important lessons you can teach is a love for education. Demonstrating a respect for and valuation of all kinds of higher learning, from college and master’s degrees to PhD’s, sets a good example, even though it might not sink in immediately. For example, you don’t need to pay for a college degree, but you can help young adults get private student loans by being a co-signer for them. Many times, there’s no other way for them to attend school and co-signing on a private loan gives them a chance to borrow at reasonable rates, take advantage of lenient repayment periods, and cover all the major expenses that a university degree entails. Mothers who know how to model respect for education instill a love for learning in their offspring that can last a lifetime.
Being Supportive Doesn’t Mean Agreeing Will Every Choice
It’s possible to be supportive without approving of everything a young adult does. For example, if you find out about dangerous behaviors like smoking, excessive drinking, or worse, sit down and make clear that you don’t approve of those things and want to help them stop. Offering support often means having a frank discussion about why you disagree and what you are willing to do to assist in recovery or change.
Take an Interest in Their Hobbies, Jobs, and Social Life
There’s no remote-control on parenting. Mothers who do everything right often miss the unwritten, informal rules that make parents shine as leaders, role models, and guides. Make it a point to regularly ask your son or daughter about their social life, who they’re dating, what kinds of hobbies they might like to take up, what their goals are, and whatever else they want to share with you. It’s usually not wise to be only a friend, but being a friend and a caring parent can do wonders for your relationship with a boy or girl on the verge of adulthood.
Know When to Step Back
There’s a time to engage and a time to stand back. Far too many mothers and fathers want to oversee the daily lives of their children in what turns out to be a suffocating, unhealthy way. The temptation is powerful to become involved in their every decision, event, relationship, life goal, and career move. Avoid being the overbearing parent and instead take a bit more realistic approach by intervening only when necessary. The result will be a long-term relationship with your daughter or son that is healthy and rewarding.