In a job interview a long time ago, I was asked a question that tends to invite the cheesier side of life: “What are you most proud of?” The first thing that came to mind, without hesitation, was being a mom. I meant it then, and I still mean it now, though I’ll admit it sounded like I had just pulled a Hallmark card out of my back pocket. But if I were asked the same question today, I’d refine my answer slightly. Instead of  “being a mom,” I’d say, “I’m most proud of my son.”

It’s one thing to be proud of yourself for keeping another human alive (parenthood 101, right?), but it’s something else entirely to watch that little person grow into themselves. To see my son becoming his own person, with his own thoughts, beliefs, quirks, and dreams—honestly, it’s mind-blowing. I used to think I knew him inside and out, but as he’s grown, I’ve realized he’s not just my son—he’s his own individual, full of surprises and depth that I couldn’t have predicted.

Being a parent isn’t always the picture-perfect moment of pride, of course. It’s also waking up at 6 a.m. to a pile of laundry dropped at your feet, knowing full well that they should be doing it themselves, but deciding to do it anyway. Call it a combination of love, habit, and the realization that sometimes we do things for our kids even when we’re pretty sure we’re enabling their procrastination. It’s the balance between teaching independence and indulging in those small, fleeting moments of being needed.

In the end, it’s the most humbling, rewarding, and yes, sometimes frustrating, gift to watch your child become their own person. There’s a strange beauty in being proud of something you didn’t create alone—because let’s face it, they become who they are with or without our meticulous guidance. But I’m endlessly proud of my son for exactly that reason: he’s not just a reflection of me, but a reflection of himself, and there’s no greater pride than seeing him grow into that.

Proud mama moment, laundry and all,
Psychologist Mimi