Raising Them, Raising Us

You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

This week, I’ve been thinking about what it truly means to “parent.” We have these little humans, entrusted to us, and it feels like such a profound responsibility. Most of us just want to raise our children well— kids who are happy, kind, and capable of navigating the world with grace and purpose.

It’s sparked a lot of reflection about what lessons I hope to pass down. What life skills do I want to instill? What kind of adults do I hope they to grow into? From the moment my first son entered the world, I began imagining who he'd become and praying that I’d get this whole parenting thing right.

My hope has always been that my boys will grow up to be kind, humble, and love Jesus. But I’ve also started to think about practical skills that will shape them into well-rounded, compassionate adults.

But here’s the thing: if I want my kids to carry these values, If I want them to learn these skills, I’ve got to live them out myself, I’ve got to do some hands on work.

If I want my boys to be thoughtful partners someday, I need to encourage them to help with tasks like putting away laundry or unloading the dishwasher. I want them to see household responsibilities as a shared effort, not something that falls to one person.


I treasure the moments we spend cooking together, because I hope I'm teaching them skills they'll carry with them the rest of their life. I hope that one day they’ll say “my mom taught me this recipe” as they maneuver around the kitchen with a smile on their face.

If I hope they’ll give others grace, they need to see me practicing it — even when someone cuts me off in traffic. If I want them to value diversity, I need to surround myself with people from all walks of life. If generosity and community matter to me, then I need to be someone who shows up — volunteering, giving back, and being involved.

And as I’ve started to reflect, I’ve realized how much better I could do at modeling all of the above.

Every day my kids help me grow and learn, and I’m so thankful that they’re causing me to think about what kind of mom I want to be. These moments of reflection aren’t always easy, but the effort is worth it. Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about being intentional and showing up, even when it’s hard, and it’s about creating opportunities as a family to be thoughtful, thankful, and generous.

My kids have caused me to rethink how I live my life because I want my life to reflect the values I’m trying to instill in them.

We won’t get it right every time, but it’s the trying that counts. The lessons we model, the love we give, and the effort we put in—those are the things that matter.

🧴 I bought this set for the hand soap and dish soap in our kitchen and it’s funny how much joy a small change can bring to a daily chore like washing dishes.

💌 I want to be more intentional about staying in touch with people next year, and I love the concept of Nicely Noted. It’s a subscription card service that sends you 3 cards each month with postage and an envelope.

📝 If you have any desire to write or journal, I can’t recommend 750 words enough. The site encourages you to write 3 pages daily (or 750 words) and rewards your progress with fun things like streak badges.

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season, and soaking up all the moments of joy.

Help me grow this newsletter by using the link below to share it with a friend.