The Differences That Mothers Make

Growing up, I don’t think I ever fully understood how much work and care it took to keep our family going. With three children and a husband to look after, it often seemed like my father ran the household, but the real steady hand behind everything was my mom.

Mom managed everything: the meals, the schedules, the moods, the endless small decisions that make a house into a home. She kept things afloat in ways that, as a child, I never wholly understood, but as an adult, I now deeply appreciate.

Creating space for emotions

Today, I see that same quiet strength and care in my wife. Her amazing emotional intelligence makes her the go-to person for our kids when they need understanding, a word of comfort, or a reminder they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. I often lean on her in the same way! I am learning to go to her when I need encouragement to pause, reflect, and feel before rushing into action. Her ability to create space for emotions, to hold steady when others are struggling, is a kind of strength that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.

I am deeply grateful for both my mom and my wife, and for the sacrifices they have made, often silently. It’s a role that can sometimes feel thankless, but their love, their presence, and their daily work make a major difference, even when not spoken aloud.

The steady, unseen hands of motherhood have shaped the best parts of who I am, and they continue to shape the lives of those around them.