Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. What is it like to be a mom? If I asked one hundred mom’s that question, I would likely get one hundred different answers. Being a mom is complex. It is sacrificing more than you ever dreamed was possible. It is loving more than you ever dreamed was possible. 

If you are your child’s biological mother, you are amazing. If you are your child’s adopted mother, you are amazing. If you are your child’s grandmother, aunt, stepmom or foster mom, you are amazing. You are amazing because you have accepted the awesome responsibility to raise a child. 

Raising children can be overwhelming and joyful all at the same time. You are teaching and guiding a little person into adulthood and independence.  

When your child brings a homemade Mother’s Day craft from school we all smile and love the gesture of appreciation. And they are usually super cute. 

Unfortunately, with school doors closed those crafts made with so much love will not be coming home in their backpacks. With the help from Nederland Elementary School’s Kindergarten teachers, Mary Waddell and Meaghan McLuckie, we asked the Kindergarteners what they love about their moms. 

Children who are five and six years old love their mothers and grandmothers deeply and are extremely honest. They love the little things mom’s do everyday for them. I hope the Kindergarteners’ words bring a smile to your face and warms your heart.

I love my mom because she gives me candy. Wesley Brubaker

I love my mom because she is really nice and does what I want to do. Araya Frank

I love my mom because she plays with me a lot. Jeremiah Hynek

I love my mom because she is so nice. Landyn Stackpole

I love my mom because she sleeps a lot. Finley Giblin

I love my mom because she loves me, takes care of me and makes slime with me. Lauren Lose

I love my mom because she puts me to bed and helps me when I get hurt. Rachel Kobi

I love my grandma because she helps me to get the growing pains away. Aiden Ferguson

I love my mommy because we bake together. Alex McElvain

I love my grandma because she is always there for me, helps me and loves me very much. Anneliese Wenzel

I love my mommy because she gave me this beautiful silver wand. Catherine Motchan

I love my mommy because she snuggles with me. Leonidas Zazzara

I love my mom because she helps me when I need help and that is all. Rowan Schuler

I love my mom because she’s nice, kind and helpful. She helps me when I am angry and gets me food and water and keeps me healthy. She also keeps me safe and happy. Oh, and she buys me toys. I love her so much that I could hug her for so long, like for an hour. Gehrig Harmon

I love my mom because she stops doing work so she can play with me. Oren Banas

I love my mom because she is sweet and kind and she cares about me so much. Freya Richardson

I love my mom because she loves me so much. Lauren Livingston

I love my Zazas because she gets to be my teacher until I go to first grade. Lauren Livingston

I love my mom because she reads to me. Phoenix Rainey

I love my mom because she always hugs me. Kaiya Turteltaub

I love my mom because I go on walks with her. Max Hutchison

I love my mom because she lets me buy new Lego sets and watch TV. Koa Dermody

I love my mom because she is fun and kind and I know she loves me very much. Kinley Coil

I love my mom because I get to cuddle her and she plays video games. Henley Schuette

I love my mom because she bought my cat and she also loves me. Jackson Coombs

I love my mom because she loves me with all her heart. Cora Michael

I love my mom because she brings me to the park to play on the soccer fields. Shoshana Coronna

I love my mom because she likes to play games. She taught our family how to play dominoes. Brook Loughlin

I love my mom because she always plays with me. Stinson Lee

I love my mom because she bought our chicks and she makes me whatever breakfast I want. Ember Eich

I love my mom because she taught me how to bake. Mikey Moss

(Originally published in the May 7, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)