This document discusses the qualities of a good mother through the perspective of the author and their relationship with their own mother. The author's mother provided for them while being a single parent, supported them unconditionally, and showed great patience. She provided not just material goods, but love, guidance, and encouragement. Her unconditional love helped the author get through difficult times and abusive relationships. Overall, the author sees their mother as a great role model who they are grateful to have in their life.

1. Shancia Castillo
ENG 1013.23
Professor Works
25 March 2015
Mommy Dearest
She wipes your tears, makes you cry but never leaves your side. A mother is a very
special person to most people. She is the reason that we are all here. From carrying you for nine
months to raising you until you leave home and for some of us, a little while longer. Our mothers
are half of who we are. Not all of us may be fortunate enough to have our mothers by our side,
but if the choice presented itself, we would want her there. All mothers are different and we like
to think that our mother is the best on earth. A good mother is someone who provides, supports,
is patient and loves unconditionally, someone like my very own mother.
My mother has been my sole provider since I was younger since I grew up in a single
parent home. To provide for someone means “to give something wanted or needed to someone or
something; to supply” (Merriam-Webster).My mother worked two jobs to provide for my sister
and I and she never stopped making sure we had everything we needed and wanted. A mother
“should always be willing to give up anything for her child” so that her children are happy (Kate
Kripke). My mother left everything behind to give us what we needed. She provided us with
more than material things. Her love, patience and guidance were always available to us, even in
the times we felt like we did not need them. After all a good mother “will always go the extra
mile when it comes to her children” no matter the circumstances (Dhanny).

2. Being supportive is also extremely important in a mothers role. Children need to feel that
their parents have their backs no matter what. There should be support in school, sports, beliefs
and however they choose to live their life, unless it is harmful of course. A mother should “be as
accepting as you possibly can” (Parenting.Allowwomenstalk.com) and “help them [children]
follow their dreams and provide plenty of encouragement” (Sheila Snell). My mother always
makes sure to understand me and what I believe will make me happy. Although she does not
always agree she supports me on my path. When I chose quit sports in high school which was
something I had done for years and a family tradition, she was completely against it. I explained
to her that I felt I would be more successful academically and she encouraged me the entire way
through. As a mother, she acknowledges when I’m successful and helps me back on the right
track when I fail, and failure seems to be fond of me. My mom supports me in many ways
whether it be emotional, financial or physically. She is at times the reason I stand on my own two
feet as a confident young woman.
A good mother must be patient. Raising children does not come with a handbook. It is a
full time job that some moms are ready for and some are not. A mother’s “patience allows
scraped knees, broken hearts and broken bones to be healed” (Dhanny). Being that my mom was
a young mother she had no idea what she had in store. We never had anything easy. She came
from a home where both her parents had passed away when she was a child and moved into a
very unhealthy household. My mother remained strong and worked hard every day because she
knew that our time of success would come, after all, “you want to be the inspiration in your
child’s life” (Skurnik). She has remained patient through my sister quitting school, me quitting
sports and her life taking a whole new direction so that her children could have everything she
never had. Her heart remained patient and she met my stepdad who has been nothing but a

3. blessing to our family. A mother never gives up when her children have but reminds them to
remain patient because in the end, everything they work for will pay off and she will be there to
say, I told you so.
Lastly, unconditional love is key in a mother’s role. Unconditional love is “not limited in
anyway; complete and absolute” (Merriam-Webster). A mother “will love her children to the
moon and back” and remains “constant and unconditional like God’s love” (Dhanny). Children
must understand and “know that you love them no matter what their life circumstances may be”
(Amy Mutchler). My mother has never led me to question her love for me. Her love comes in
many different forms including the qualities that make her a good mother. I applaud her for
allowing me to experience such a love that I have been able to give to others. After I allowed
myself to stay in abusive relationship with the knowledge that my mother had gone through it
before I was sure she would have disowned me and would be ashamed. She did the complete
opposite and held her arms wide open. That day, I knew what unconditional love was. It was safe
and everlasting. My mom loves me through all my flaws and faults and I could not be more
grateful for her presence every single day.
Most people want a good mother or mother figure and hope to be half the person that
watched them grow. I should apologize for understating the title with good because they are
great. A great mother is first your parent and forever your best friend. She provides you rules and
real love, supports your weird hair and loud music and loves you more than you can take at
times. Mothers teach us things that we cannot always teach ourselves. The best thing about
having a great mother is that no matter what events take place in your life, she remains constant.

4. Works Cited
"10 Qualities of a Good Mother." Small Town America. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/smalltownamerica/2012/05/8-qualities-of-a-
mother.html>.
Kripke, Kate. "8 Ways to Be A Good Mother Instead Of A Perfect One." Postpartum Progress.
N.p., 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://www.postpartumprogress.com/8-ways-
to-be-a-good-mother-instead-of-a-perfect-one>.
Mutchler, Amy. "TEN TRAITS THAT MAKE A GOOD MOTHER." New Life For The
Nations. N.p., 09 May 2011. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://www.nlftn.org/ten-traits-that-
make-a-good-mother/>.
"Role Model." Parenting on Allwomenstalk. N.p., 12 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
<http://parenting.allwomenstalk.com/lovable-qualities-of-a-great-mother/8/>.
Snell, Sheia M. "How to Stop Children Wetting the Bed." What Makes a Good Mother? N.p.,
n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.