I probably wasn’t clear enough in my initial post. I was thinking about service work in which we involve our children, not just that we do ourselves. My kids are in elementary school so this is an option for me.

My only other addition is this:

I believe part of our problem with young people in our culture is that they have been raised like they are the center of the universe. My kids are very important to me and I want them to feel loved and cared for and valued. But I also want them to know there is a big world out there that exists beyond our household. If I raise them like they are the center of the universe, they will grow up believing they are the center of the universe. This is not only bad for them, it’s bad for society.

So, I guess my original comment was that for me, I find the most satisfaction when I see my children respond with compassion to the hurts they see around them, when their teachers tell me they are kind to other students in their class. It’s most meaningful to me when I see the convergence of our family’s mission (we have one of service to others that our children participate in) take hold in their lives and I see it expressed in their individual personalities. That is incredible. It doesn’t always work and they aren’t perfect. But I’m excited to see those planted seeds take hold in their hearts and minds.

So, I guess I was just thinking that is what makes motherhood most meaningful to me, and would love to hear other stories from other moms.

Thnaks for the question..

I think what I’m trying to say here is I want to find a way to help mothers get the sense that being a mother is in and of itself a high and noble calling, that the basic responsibility of motherhood (raising a posterity of well-rounded, independent, capable individuals and in my case, righteous in my religious tradition) is the ultimate form of service that we can give.

Yes, serving others around us in meaningful ways is absolutely important. But I think to value our work as mothers we have to recognize that serving our families is at least as important—and can also yield the same satisfaction in our lives.

I think it would have the double advantage of providing ecouragement but also inspiration for moms to get out there and make a difference in their communities. I know I’ve been happiest and most fulfilled when I’ve felt like I’ve done something meaningful for someone else.

It’s just a thought.