Happy Mother’s Day from Bright by Text!
By Jean McSpadden, President & CEO, Bright by Text
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Happy Mother’s Day from Bright by Text!
A Message from our CEO, Jean McSpadden (also known as mom and grandma)
I’ll never forget the call I made to my mom 36 years ago to share the news that she had a new name: Grandma. I had no idea at the time how powerful this new relationship would become for all involved—my mom, myself, and my brand-new son—or how special she would become over the years in the lives of my 3 little boys.
My best memories of my mom as Grandma include her playing endless games with my sons, letting them make a huge mess trying to make homemade pizza together, and having infinite patience to make fun art and crafts projects with them. Watching her do these things with my kids brought me the purest kind of joy.
Moms out there—be warned. The years somehow fly by. My mom left us before my oldest turned 10, and I know the ache of Mother’s Day without her. And now I myself have the honor and privilege of being called Grandma by 4 little boys. And it’s the most powerful title I’ve held.
Want to make a mess? Sure!
Want an extra cookie? No problem.
One of my little grandsons asked my daughter-in-law if she could pretend to be Grandma—so that she would say yes to anything and smother him with hugs and kisses.
But moms, I’ve also been where you are. I know motherhood is beautiful and messy and not always easy. On this quite different Mother’s Day 2020, I offer this advice from a mom-turned-grandmother:Deal in confidence and gratitude.
I yearn for the time when we can once again replace FaceTime with hugs and swap zoom calls for plane tickets. We are all doing our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, and know that these weeks and months will help us be together in the not so far distant future.
My best memories of my mom as Grandma include her playing endless games with my sons, letting them make a huge mess trying to make homemade pizza together, and having infinite patience to make fun art and crafts projects with them. Watching her do these things with my kids brought me the purest kind of joy.
Moms out there—be warned. The years somehow fly by. My mom left us before my oldest turned 10, and I know the ache of Mother’s Day without her. And now I myself have the honor and privilege of being called Grandma by 4 little boys. And it’s the most powerful title I’ve held.
Want to make a mess? Sure!
Want an extra cookie? No problem.
One of my little grandsons asked my daughter-in-law if she could pretend to be Grandma—so that she would say yes to anything and smother him with hugs and kisses.
But moms, I’ve also been where you are. I know motherhood is beautiful and messy and not always easy. On this quite different Mother’s Day 2020, I offer this advice from a mom-turned-grandmother:
Don't sweat the small stuff.
You didn't make a perfect dinner? No big deal. Spending time reading, snuggling, or just being with your child is invaluable.
The frustrating moments pass as quickly as they come.
Parenting is full of overwhelming moments. Take a deep breath—for both you and your kids—and know that everything has a season.
Deal in confidence and gratitude.
Give your kids unconditional love, know that you’re doing the best you can, and model thankfulness for your kids—for your family and what you have.
I yearn for the time when we can once again replace FaceTime with hugs and swap zoom calls for plane tickets. We are all doing our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, and know that these weeks and months will help us be together in the not so far distant future.
From one mom to many others: keep doing what you’re doing. We experienced moms applaud and support you.
Just remember it’s probably best not to give your kids all those extra cookies—that’s a grandmother’s job.
A very special Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and grandmas in this most unusual year!
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