Over the last week, we’ve been running a 5 day Mothers Day giveaway on Instagram! Entrants to the competition were asked to submit pictures of their mothers/with their children or of themselves if they were women as well as 5 things their mothers have taught them.
I learnt a lot from reading the submissions. One of which is that we don’t celebrate our mothers enough- not just because of all the tireless work they put in in raising us, but because of all the things they teach and inspire us to become.
I have culled 5 key lessons I have learnt from my mother and from those who entered our competition
Feel free to include yours in the comment section
Prayer and spirituality
I cannot count the amount of times I have seen my mother pray. Since primary school days in ADRAO when we would arrive at my school almost an hour early, and she would park her car under the tree, bring out her rosary and start her 45 minute long prayer. Or when I was in boarding house and she would spend almost an hour praying over me. Then on my 21st birthday when she fashioned out my birthday card using various scripture from the bible and the various agreement and midnight prayers we have done together…the list is endless.
Seeing my mother birth the life we currently have has been an awesome experience and has not only taught me how to pray but how to lean on God for EVERYTHING!
Sacrifice
Being a mother is really synonymous with sacrifice. And this is something that nearly all our entrants agreed on. From sacrificing their time, parts of their lives and ambitions, money…name it. Mothers daily give up a bit of themselves for the sake of their children.
Hopefully we learn to appreciate them more for all they sacrifice to ensure our happiness.
Smart Money Tips
This is a personal one from me. I really believe my mum is the original smart money woman. The woman can stretch 100 naira for a week and still find a way to save 20%! Recently my aunt told me a story of how my mum, years ago, after saving and investing a windfall, bought a piece of land and still had her principal intact.
Sometimes, I tease my mum and call her ijebu mama. It’s a little joke between us, but in truth my mum is the poster child for living below her means and building a nest egg for her future and grandchildren.
Resilience
Almost every story of motherhood is one of resilience and patience. From giving without expecting anything in return, loving the unlovable and unconditional selfless attitudes- our mothers have taught us lots about enduring love.
But it isn’t only about selfless love, our mothers have shown the importance of hardwork and doggedness as essential life skills. From mothers who have trained 5 children from primary school through to university from sales from fish and akara to mothers who have gone back to school in their 50’s to restart their careers, our mothers put the M into motivation!
The real meaning of femininity
Asides from lessons from our mothers, entrants to our competition also shared lessons they had learnt from being women. From learning to be unafraid and loving their bodies to being strong, independent and resourceful as well as speaking for others and supporting other women, it is clear that being a woman is cause for celebration.
What has your mother and being a woman taught you?
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