To the moms who do it all on their own, thank you for all that you do.

It couldn't have been easy for my mom growing up. My dad was uninvolved and emotionally checked-out far more than he was present. She did everything -- she cooked, she cleaned, she shopped, she worked, she played with me, she involved herself in things I enjoyed, she made me cool costumes for Halloween and she tried everything in her power and beyond just to see her son have a good day.What our family lacked financially, my mother made up with her creativity. As a family, we never went on any kind of vacation -- not even to an adjacent town for a night, but she'd always plan adventures for us like 10 mile bike rides with a picnic and a few bus trips to visit my Aunt in Pittsburgh. She would join in pretend play with me. Grab an original Nintendo controller and play Super Mario Bros, or build legos with me.As an adult (37) with my own kids now, I value the things my mother did for me as a child even more and can see how they shaped me as a parent. She's a really great woman and I dread the day she leaves this earth. Not just for my kids, whom she's extremely involved with, but for myself -- she has always been my most ardent supporter, friend and confidant.Today, I'm taking her along with my wife & kids to Pittsburgh (we live in the middle of the state, smaller town) to go to the Carnegie Science Center for the day & a trip to the LEGO store to build our family in brick. I haven't told them yet but I spent possibly more than I should have on a night at the Downtown Hilton (swimming in October!). It just felt good paying for something for someone that's done so much for you that I couldn't resist. I think my wife will be happy because I washed and folded all of our clothes as well as the kids, cleaned the house & packed.So as to the question that many mothers ask: "Is this all worth it?" -- yes. It really is. Every little thing you do matters and if it's not appreciated now, it will be. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2JnSTPy