You don’t have to birth children to be a mother figure and just because you birthed children doesn’t mean you are a mom.
Being a mom goes beyond providing basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
Real moms go beyond minimum standards.
Being a mom means treating your children with humanity. It means supporting them emotionally. It involves unconditional love especially when you don’t understand or even support your child’s path.
We need more women to stand in the gap.
We need more women who have fallen short to acknowledge that fact with their children and do better.
Our children are watching.
What legacy are you leaving moms?
Will your children escape you when they become adults, or will they embrace you and keep you in their lives?
To Jeremiah & James, the children who made me a mother after many students called me mom 
, I love you 
I’m glad I get to be part of your development as you continue through childhood to get to manhood.
(Remember, Gardener Shicole = Educator Barnes 
)
To the REAL moms, Happy Mother’s Day!