Connect What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

Since becoming a mom, I’ve been able to view challenges through a new lens. Whether the sleepless nights, even the mundaneness of everyday life- all of it is working toward an end: the best for my family. My husband and I agreed that it’s best for our family for me to stay home with any children we have. Going from 2 incomes to 1 has also been challenging; we’ve had to say no to more than we used to, but the reward is not missing “firsts”, and being the primary influence in my child’s life.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me how selfish I am. I took for granted time with just my husband, every GNO, buying things for myself just because I wanted them. Now everything is filtered through my family’s needs. Of course self care is important-you can’t fill from an empty cup. But motherhood has taught me to look beyond myself more, not just to my son, but to others as well.

What would you do with $20,000?

My husband and I would probably first pay off our cars to increase cash flow. That would enable us to live more generously and serve others without worrying too much about next month’s bills. We would add some to my son’s savings account (we value education and want him to be able to further his education if he chooses to). Honestly, the rest we would likely put into our savings, as that has needed to be tapped into lately more than we’d like.