Like Mother, Like Daughter: 5 Ways I’m Just Like My Mom

Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. When I asked her what she wanted, she told me she didn’t want anything fancy or expensive – just my time and a homemade organic cake.  I can do that – easy enough. Her request made me think about my own kids and how the little things (like watching a movie and baking cookies together) are some of my favorite moments with them. I find it ironic how when you become a mom, the simplest things mean the most – but the job of a mother is far from simple.

Now that I am 25, and a mother myself, my mom and I have the best relationship that we’ve ever had. Before I had kids, I never thought we would be as close as we are today. As a teenager, I remember rolling my eyes at everything my mom said. I thought she was way too controlling and her way of thinking was old school. But now I know that everything my mom taught me was out of pure love.

There are many reasons why I love my mom, but most of all I love her for the boundaries she set for me while I was younger. She would always tell me, “I’m not your friend. I’m your mother,” and back then I kinda wished she was my friend. I thought if we were friends, she would be able to understand me better. The way I felt. The things I thought about. I remember envying many of my peers who had these “friendships” with their moms.  I used to think, why can’t my mom be like that?

But looking back, a friend wasn’t what I needed. I needed her to be my mom and that’s exactly what she always was, even on her toughest days.

At the age of 16, my mother became a stranger to me. All the sudden it was like we didn’t have any of the same values, beliefs or morals (or so I thought). I rebelled and questioned everything she taught me (I was such an asshole), because for this unknown reason I resented her and told myself when I became a mother that I would be nothing like her.

Funny how life works. I find myself becoming more and more just like her each year – mentally, emotionally, and physically. If I turn out to be half of the mom and woman that she is, I’ll be pretty lucky. I swear, sometimes, I look in the mirror and I see my mama’s reflection. Which is a plus for me, because my mama is FIOONE.

Here are 5 ways I have turned out just like my mother and I am damn proud of it!!

1. “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” – William Shakespeare

If you know me and my mom, then you know I get my height and small frame from her. But don’t let our size fool you. We are born fighters (not literally). We are assertive, aggressive and confident – especially for something we feel strongly about.

2. “Don’t talk about it; write.” – Ray Bradbury

I’ve always known I could write. I was in Honors and AP English classes all throughout high school. I thought I hated it, because writing seemed more like homework – and what teenager actually enjoys homework? But as I got older, I realized how much I truly enjoyed the art of writing. I can write for hours, without even realizing how much time has passed. I definitely got this trait from my mother. She is extremely talented with words and can articulate better on paper than with her speech.

3. “A mother loves her children unconditionally. However they wrong her, she’ll carry on loving them.” – Alaa Al Aswany

We both love the hell out of our children and there isn’t one thing we wouldn’t do for them, even on the days they get on our last nerves! When I was younger I knew my mom loved me and my sister, but it wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized just how much she REALLY loves us. I was blessed with a mother who loves her children more than she loves herself. I’ve done and said a lot of terrible things – but her love for me has never altered. Now that’s unconditional love at its finest.

4. “Admitting your mistakes is not a sign of weakness.” – Aaron DeCamp

We aren’t too proud to let someone know when we f-d up. This is something that I’ve just recently became comfortable doing within the past couple years.  But boy, am I so glad I finally inherited this trait from her. My mother has always been so strong in this area. She’s always had the courage to know when she’s wrong, admit to it, and ask for forgiveness.

5. “The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

 When I set my mind to do something, nothing can stop me. I can thank my mom for that. She taught me that nothing good comes without a lot of hard work. You have to make it happen. My mom doesn’t have a college degree, but she is one of the most successful women that I know. She runs her own business doing what she loves! She is the reason why I go after what I want in life.

I have a long way to go, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without these elements of my mama shining through me. I can only hope that my children admire me as much as I admire her. Happy Birthday, Mom!