“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” —Unknown
Mother’s Day is a holiday that it is observed in many different forms throughout the world. According to History.com, the American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914.
In honor of the holiday, we asked our FirstLight family to share their best Mother’s Day advice. We’ve included a sampling here, along with a sprinkling of inspirational quotes. Enjoy! And please comment here on this post or on our Facebook page if you’d like to share your own advice.
Raising teenagers is not an easy task, and one not to take on without knowing what you’re in for! I have two girls, one 16 and the other 12 (going on 18). I found myself in a rather exhausting disagreement with my oldest and happened to bring up the subject to a close friend who had “been there, done that” while raising two of her own. I will never forget the simple but powerful advice my friend gave me that day:
She said, “Choose your battles and chose them wisely.” At first, this was hard to do, but with time it became as easy as walking. I have to say, it improved my relationship with my girls and I am truly thankful for those words of advice that I will pass down to my girls when they become a mother too one day…in the distant future.
- Desiree Diaz, Community Relations Director, FirstLight Home Care of Denver South
“Mothers are like glue. Even when you can’t see them, they’re still holding the family together.” —Susan Gale
Be a good listener. And always look in the mirror before you leave home.
- Raelene Plummer, Owner/Manager, FirstLight Home Care of Northwest Arkansas
“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” —Princess Diana
My mom, who was a special ed teacher and school librarian, used to say the people who are the hardest to love need it the most. I didn’t really get it until I had kids of my own and realized how true this is with my own kids on the days they are most challenging to parent. I found it to be true in life and in this business. Often, the clients and families who most test us ultimately are the ones who just need a little extra tender loving care.
- Molly Rowe, Owner, FirstLight Home Care of Swampscott, MA
“Motherhood is the exquisite inconvenience of being another person’s everything.” —Unknown
Not from my mother but from my grandmother…You can’t let everything get to you when your spouse (or really anyone because this applies to all relationships) gets on your nerves or you have disagreements. You need to let it just roll off your back like water off a duck’s back.
- Sarah Holmes, Quality Assurance Coordinator, FirstLight Home Office
“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” —Rudyard Kipling
Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This is very simple, but it speaks volumes as to how we should treat others and in return how we want to be treated by others.
- Callie Martinez, Care Coordinator, FirstLight Home Care of South Sound
“Mothers possess a power beyond that of a king on his throne.” —Mabel Hale
My mom used to always tell me to choose my friends wisely. Because at the end of the day, the company you keep is a reflection of who you are. This is so true at any age in life!
- Cresta Lewis, Public Relations & Social Media Manager, FirstLight Home Office
Happy Mother’s Day!
We are proud to CHAMPION the family caregiver, offering empathy, advice, and support for those who provide countless hours of care to their loved ones. We want to provide a helping hand, relieve some of the stress that comes with caregiving and give you back a few hours in your overwhelmingly busy day.