The Code of Motherhood

I have always wished for some guidelines for motherhood, because really it seems like anything goes. This is one of the reasons being a mom is so powerful and so humbling. So, in honor of mother's day, I'm writing my own "code" (which is really more of just a guideline).

What being a mom (of young children) means to me:
1. I will read my children stories at bedtime and naptime always, and on other requested occasions. As long as they don't request those stupid Disney movie books that I hate. In fact, I'm throwing those books away.

2. I will feed my children three meals a day and provide snacks. These meals will include a vegetable or a fruit. These meals might not always be home made. They might be breakfast for dinner, or chicken nuggets, or cold cereal, but they will have something to eat.

3. I will provide my children with clothes. I will teach them to change their underwear daily. When they are young, I will dress them at least once a day. If their clothes get messy, I might change them, but only if it's yucky messy like poop or something. Otherwise I will be doing laundry all day every day. Once they are old enough to dress themselves, they probably won't match. Matching clothes is not a battle I am willing to fight, but they will be dressed every day. I will also make them wear a coat while in sight in the cold, and we will never leave the house without shoes. (I've already tried this and ended up taking a shoeless Mckenzie to use a public restroom. Yuck.)

4. I will brush my children's teeth and teach them to brush their teeth. This is a battle I will fight. Dentist bills are payable by me, therefore I will control the toothbrushing.
5. I will comb my children's hair at least once a day. I might even put cute ribbons or clips in it, but only if it requires minimum fussing. After that, I give up. I can only fight this battle once a day.

6. I will bathe my children often. Mike is in charge of bedtime baths, so I just make sure it happens regularly.
7. I will wash my children's hands and faces whenever they get messy, but sometimes this isn't the most important thing and I might not have a wipe, so they might look messy.

8. I will hold my children at least once a day, while they still let me.
9. I will play with my children, even if it is a stupid game that I have already played 6,000 times.

10. I will teach my children about Heavenly Father and Jesus and the goodness of the gospel through family home evening and church and every day teaching opportunities.
11. I will clean the house (at least once a week).
12. I will take care of myself. Right now this means I will shower and comb my hair and brush my teeth, and wear deodorant. I am on the verge of giving up make-up all together, but that is another subject for another time.
13. I will take time away from my children so that I appreciate them when I come back.
14. I will love Mike with all my heart and show him I love him.
15. I will pray like it all depends on the Lord and work like it all depends on me.

This code will probably change over the years, or in the course of a day, but for now it gives me a good definition of when I'm doing okay. So I'm totally curious. What's your definition of a good mother?