Here are 10 signs you’re raised by a strong mom:

1. She always encourages you to speak your mind

A strong mom is honest and forthright. She teaches her children to be the same. Communication is valued and necessary in order to get her message across. You use your words and are in touch with your thoughts and feelings when you grow up with a strong mom.

2. She doesn’t tell you what to think, but how to think

You don’t just memorize what you read or learn, you think about it and form your own opinion. A strong mom doesn’t tell her child what to think, she teaches them how to think. You are an expert at gathering information from a variety of sources and you evaluate the information and come to your own conclusion. You are willing to learn and change your mind and aren’t afraid to ask questions. You are willing to be wrong sometimes and even to fail. It is how you learn.

3. She tells you how important education is, no matter you’re a boy or girl

A strong mom knows the importance of education. Without it we’ll end up like a blank paper with little to offer. And strong moms know that education isn’t just about going to an expensive school or getting good grades; it’s about paying attention, asking questions, reading and expressing yourself through strong literacy.

4. She teaches you to be your own competitor

Your mom has shown you by example that if you work hard and try your best, the results would be rewarding. No matter how many times you face obstacles and how often you find adversity, you keep going. Your main competitor is yourself and above all else, a strong mom wants you to be self reliant.

5. She values financial independency

Being independent and self sufficient is a key trait of a strong mom and she instills this in her children. She will teach you to work hard and manage your own finances and affairs. In order to survive you need to achieve financial autonomy. As well as making your own money and not having to be co dependent, she will teach you how to cook and clean after yourself, how to look after your health and how to have valuable and strong relationships.

6. She gives you the confidence and self assurance to be who you want to be

You know who you are and what you stand for. Having a strong mom gives you the confidence and self assurance to be who you want to be. You wear what you want and aren’t afraid of expressing yourself. You seek out knowledge by taking an interest in the world around you. Strong moms encourage their children to travel, meet new people, have diverse experiences and to never be afraid to try something new.

7. She teaches you empathy

One of the strongest traits in people who have been raised by strong mothers is their capacity to feel and display empathy. Moms love their children fiercely, but this maternal protection and affection extends out to anyone who comes into theirs and their children’s lives. Strong moms teach their children to be kind and display humanist qualities.

8. She shows you how to bring people together

The importance of family, friendship and community is highlighted when you are raised by a strong mom. She shows you that you need other people and they need you. The value of reciprocity and generosity is exemplified and you learn that with strong alliances and connections, you will thrive.

9. She shows you how to be fiercely independent

Whilst needing others and relying on the resilience of good relationships, you are self sufficient and can get by in the world without needing others’ approval or permission. You can think for yourself and make your own decisions. You are a leader and will take others under your wing, just like how your mom looked after you.

10. She tells you either to surrender or to change it

Being raised by a strong mom means you have a broadened mind. You don’t make value judgements and your propensity to learn, empathize and stay resilient requires you to be accepting of most situations. You don’t complain. You either truly accept the circumstances or you change them. Featured photo credit: William Neuheisel via flickr.com