Vocal Verified—Motherhood

Our mothers have a huge impact on our lives. With us from the start, they give us food, shelter, and our first taste of unconditional love. They guide us through all our lives' milestones, like teaching us to walk, or driving us to our first day of school, or holding us as we cry over our first heartbreak. And the support doesn't end with the legal threshold of adulthood. Our mothers continue to help us even after our 18th birthdays—through our first tax season, DMV visits, and scheduling our own doctor appointments. If all this didn't make them invaluable, their wisdom and advice certainly is as soon as we have children of our own.

For their lifetime of support, the second Sunday of every May seems like the least they deserve.

As Vocal's Head of Curation, I've seen the profound effects a mother's love can have on their children, and I've read dozens of stories showing the lengths moms will go to for their kids. Whether they're first-time moms, grandmothers, stepmoms, or adoptive mothers, it's about time to show some appreciation to the women who raise us.

Here, we celebrate the sacrifices, difficulties, and most triumphant moments of motherhood. Give them a read, leave your favorite stories a tip, or share some of your own experiences as a mom.

If you're not already a creator, you can sign up here to get started.

For more stories on motherhood, explore Families, our community for family relationships.

"A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s." —Princess Diana

"I believe it's not just about celebrating one's own mother. I wholeheartedly believe it's about celebrating what motherhood is, and the sacrifice and triumph that every single "mother" has had."—Sarah Phillips

"I've made lists of the questions I would ask my birthmother if I had the opportunity to meet her; do you think of me on my birthday, to what her favorite color is, and everything in between."—Irina Lessne

"The glint of my mom’s gold and opal ring caught my eye, and I ran over to see her. What I saw didn’t look like my mother at all."—Michelle Powell

"I've came to the conclusion that I was blessed to have a mother like my mom. Even though I know that I won't be even half of the woman she is—it just wouldn't hurt to try though."—H. D. Garcia

"it’s been less than 30 days since my mother and I have had to wrestle our points across. Even so, I know that, in spite of it all, my mother and I would die for each other."—Deborah Alice

"I'm crying because the canteen staff are cooking meat and onions, and I'm remembering my mother's shepherd's pie."—J M Hunter

"My grandmother is an impactful woman."—Em Palughi

"I tell my kids, ‘I am thinking about you every other minute of my day.’" —Michelle Obama

"A child coming into the world and landing in the arms of his/her mother is the most beautiful thing in life."—Sonica M

"At the end of the day when they FINALLY go to sleep, I go in their room and stare at their chubby little sleeping faces, admire what my husband and I created, and I think about how much I love them and I miss them being awake."—CraftyOne

"When you date someone with kids, you need to accept them and their kids."—Kayla Triplett

"If you’re present in your child's life and always try your hardest to be better for them, you’re doing an amazing job."—Ashley Smith

"Definition of a, “Super Mommy:” SUPER busy, SUPER tired, but SUPER blessed!"—Bridgette Diana

"Grandparents everywhere are finding themselves in my position and they do what they have always done, put their children and grandchildren first."—Christina Gonzalez

"I hope, more than anything else, that she knows how truly loved she is, and that she will always be happy."—Alexis Fox

"A year and a half after giving birth to my beautiful daughter, I’m proud to say that I'm the single mother of a happy, healthy girl."—Nikki Ro

"We do everything in our power to provide the best life for them we can possibly give them."—Megan Long

"There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." —Jill Churchill

"I like to think of us women as the rocks of homes sometimes."—Chelsie Divis

"Sometimes as parents we try to be perfect and in the process of striving for perfection, we miss the imperfect life happening in front of us. Kids don't want perfect."—D. A. Rhine

"Giving birth is a feeling that only a woman can feel, a bond and experience like no other. However, what happens if your relationship with the biological father doesn’t work out?"—Samantha Mia

"It is not easy becoming a mother at any age or time. Single, married, 16, 35, whatever your situation may be, there are always going to be hardships. It is all worth it in the end!"—Ava Cruz

"As I write this, I can remember how vulnerable I was... yet, I was the strength that kept my family together. And you are too."—'Licia Cee

"Being a mom is hard and being a mom is awesome. Period."—Rayelle Mckown

"Our bodies have done amazing things and nothing should be able to take away the pride or happiness we feel for bringing a child into the world."—Amanda Brock

"We are all trying to do the best we can, and sometimes EASY is necessary."—just dani

"The most important thing about this day is that you spend quality time with her."—Nathalie Martin