Mother's Day...Four Days Late

I'm always a mixed bag on Mother's Day. I don't know what to expect and often think I end up expecting too much. That being said...this year was overall an extremely busy yet satisfying Mother's Day. I spent time with my mother-in-law digging in the dirt learning how to beautify my greenspace. I am so thankful to have her teaching me. I also shared the weekend with my own mother who spent most of the time caring for my boys. I truly believe having children when your own parents are fit to help care for them is one of the smartest ways to survive parenting young children. I don't know if I would still be standing without her being able to save me from time to time.

Since Mother's Day, I've also spent a lot of time wondering what it means to be a mom...and more specifically a "good" mom. After a minor meltdown this week, I escaped to Common Roots and picked up the current issue of Women'sPress. I actually read it front to back while sitting alone and eating at my own pace. It seemed like a gift from beyond. I also decided to put together a little list of books about motherhood that I am determined to read by the end of this year to help me gain some perspective. If you have read them or end up reading them, let me know what you think.

1. Bad Mother by Ayelet Waldman (Thanks, Sara, for the recommendation.)
2. Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl (This has no subtext in regards to my own mother. :) I could only pray my children still like me nearly as much as I like and love my mom at 28.)
3. Momfulness by Denise Roy (Thanks, Wilhelmina, for the recommendation. I'm trying to integrate some of her tips into my life.)
4. The Price of Motherhood by Ann Crittenden (I'm scared this will infuriate me. At least I'll read it during a presidency where the president works like a woman.)

Happy Mother's Day (four days late) to all you moms.