As a mother we have tons of responsibilities and duties to take care of throughout our day. We wear a ton of hats as a mom. And, much of the time moms feel they are taken for granted. We work hard and there isn’t a payday at the end of the week. However, our payday comes throughout everyday. No, nothing monetarily, but something worth so much more. A paycheck that is worth so much more than any bank can cash. I am talking about the sentimental things. The things our children do or say without even realizing they are giving us the strength as a mom to keep going and keep taking care of our family.

Happy Mother’s Day my fellow Mothers. I know you work so hard. And, you do it without thought or resist. Here are a few of the hats you and I wear everyday.

Different hats Moms Wear Every Day

• Nurse
• Cook
• Banker
• Teacher
• Hair Dresser
• Seamstress
• House Cleaner
• Secretary
• Appointment Setter
• Chauffeur
• Laundress
• Babysitter
• Psychologist
• Law Enforcer
• Party Planner
• Professional Shopper
• Waitress
• Story Teller / Librarian

Now, as mothers we all know that there isn’t really a paycheck we receive for our duties. However, we know that the pay we receive is huge. Why do you think most of us do the parenting thing more than once? Because of the pay. Because of the rewards.

What a Mother’s Paycheck looks like

Kissable Baby Toes

( Image above by Melissa Wentarmini )

Sticky Kisses

( Image above by left-hand )

Crocodile Tears

( Image above by jpo_photo )

Belly Laughter

( Image above by a4gpa )

Dance Recitals

( Image above by AndrewEick )

Eskimo kisses

( Image above by veronica.decker )

Late Night Cuddles

( Image above by thefamilybush )

"I love you, Mommy"

( Image above by suchitra prints )

They ask us, "Are you okay, Mommy?"

( Image above by Evelien De Bruyne )

When they Jump up and down in Excitement

( Image above by wsilver )

Toothless smiles

( Image above by bryangeek )

Chocolatey faces

( Image above by lynnsta )

Handmade Cards and Drawings

( Image above by davef3138 )

Angelic Faces on Sleeping Children

( Image above by Andrew Stawarz )

When Children Show Respect

( Image above by nosha )

Our kids Think we are the Best Cooks Ever.

( Image above by MiikaS )

No matter what our singing voices sound like…. they think we rock!!

( Image above by chimothy27 )

Baby soft skin

( Image above by demi-brooke )

The way our children smell…. well, usually.

( Image above by timatymusic )

When they hold your face to give you a kiss.

( Image above by kevygee )

Puppy Dog Eyes

( Image above by Small_Girl_Big_World )

Kids stroking our hair just because

( Image above by popofatticus )

First Baby Smiles

( Image above by abardwell )

Twitter Community Responds

When I asked some of my friends on Twitter what melts their heart when it comes to their children this is what they had to say….

The answers I received from some of the community members on Twitter confirms what I was saying above. We as parents receive our payment through the amazing actions of our wonderful children. The things that melt our heart are what builds us up, gives us energy and motivates our waking up the next day to do it all over again. And, not only does it motivate us to do it again we also do it because we want to. We do it because we love doing it. We do it because we love our children. And through our children’s actions they show how much they love us.

Lori Bourne of Montessori for Everyone said this….

"When I think of the "heart-melting" moments my kids have given me, the sweetest ones are the unexpected ones. The times they are playing and one of them looks my way and gives me a happy grin. Hugs and kisses for no reason at all.

I love hearing my daughter, now 5, still call me "mama" just like she did when she was little. The times that my son says, "Mom?" (Me: "Yes, buddy?") My son: "You’re the best mom I could ever have!"

I like getting cards, gifts, and flowers on holidays like all moms do. But the sweetest moments are the unplanned ones, when I’m reminded that in spite of all the hard work, tears, and frustration, being a mom is truly the best thing ever. "

Lori is totally on to something here. She is right. It is the unexpected things that melt our heart so much. The things that tell us they "get it". The things that remind us that we are doing a good job bringing up wonderful human beings. The things that bring us down to earth and remind us what is important…. our children are important. The love we can give and receive is important. The human beings we bring up and teach to live and love and to do the same to others is important.

Happy Mother’s Day fellow Mothers. Enjoy your special day. And remember all the things that matter on this special day. They are your amazing children. The very things you work so hard to love, protect and raise. Enjoy them…. and enjoy your very special Mother’s Day!!

Thank you to Melanie, Dave Rohrer, Matt Siltala, Edward Lewis, Caroline Middlebrook, Annette Kerr, Khalid Saleh, Adam Cupples, Michelle Montoya, K.S. Katz, Christina Gleason, for sharing their Children’s beautiful stories with us for this Mother’s Day post.

Top image by lepiaf.geo