everyday miracles: the power of a mother's words

As a writer, I have always known the power of words. But it wasn't until I became a mother that I truly understood the ability of words to transform lives.

Because children listen to their mothers.

Often it doesn't seem like it. When you are a mom, you say a lot of things on any given day. Sometimes you have to say things over and over and over again before anything happens. It seems futile. You wonder if they are even hearing you.

Take, for example, asking your child to complete a chore. It usually starts as a request:

"Honey, please don't forget to put your cereal bowl in the dishwasher."

Then there's the gentle reminder:

"Um, sweetie, you left your bowl on the table again...."

Followed by the passive/aggressive reminder:

"Hello, where are you going? I'm pretty sure I asked you to put your bowl in the dishwasher."

Soon it becomes a clipped, tense mantra:

"You. Table. Bowl. Pick it up pick it up pick it up Pick It Up!"

Followed closely by yelling and The Look:

"IF YOU DON'T PICK UP THAT FRICKIN' BOWL AND PUT IT IN THE DISHWASHER RIGHT NOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE GROUNDED FOR A YEAR AND I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING!"