Have you ever thought that your own perception of motherhood will have an impact on what kind of mother you are? If you look at motherhood as a blessing, an honor, and wonderful then you will be a mother who is a blessing, an honor and who is wonderful. Likewise, if you see mothering as a hindrance, you will often feel frustrated, annoyed and discontent in your role. How you view your role will be the overflow. Do you see it as a high and noble calling?
As a mother, you will raise what you are. Your children are mirrors of you. They will hold your perceptions, attitudes and philosophies on life. If you view motherhood as a high and noble calling, they will too. They are looking to you to see what to believe, and think, and how to act. This is a very heavy consideration. All too often when I see a character flaw in my children, I am painfully aware that it was in myself first. Do I want my children to be like me? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no 
I thank God that I am not raising my children alone. I have Him to teach me, guide me and forgive me. As we grow and change in Christ, and become more like Him, so will our children. As they see mommy continually growing in knowledge and wisdom, repenting over sin and overcoming weaknesses, they will grow in knowledge and wisdom , seek repentance and overcome weaknesses in their life too. We can only travel down this road by the grace of God.
Sometimes the job of raising our children can seem overwhelming as we view our own shortcomings. Do not let them. Remember that when we feel we cannot do it, it is that we are looking at it in our own strength. We cannot do it, but by relying completely on God, in His strength we can! Here is a beautiful poem that captures these thoughts:
I Looked Into the Eyes of My Children
a poem by Donna Reish
I looked into the eyes of my children, surprised by what I did see,
For I thought I’d see the face of Jesus,
staring back at me.
But then when I observed their hearts, what I saw was a big surprise.
For instead, I saw me—their mother—reflected in their eyes.
All that I wish I wasn’t, all that I’d like to change,
Was reflected right there in their eyes, in many different ways.
All the things I wanted them to change, all the things I disliked the most,
Were merely reflections of me—things I should have already known.
I cried to the Lord, “Forgive me, for pressuring them, you see,
To be things that I am not willing—or even able—to be.”
When I heard an older one say, in a very selfish tone,
“I’ll give you my best toy, if you’ll only leave me alone.”
I saw manipulation take place and knew where it was learned,
For I, too, can be the very same way, the conniving way I spurned.
When I saw one of them wanting the best, I thought, “What a selfish child,”
Then saw myself being selfish in just a very short while.
When I heard one of them talk angrily, I couldn’t believe my ears,
Until a few minutes later, my own angry voice did I hear.
I saw one of them putting frivolities before the things of the Lord,
And then saw me with my magazines, instead of God’s holy Word.
Day after day, God showed me, my children learn what they live,
And before I can help them to change,
I must be willing to give—
Yes, give up the things that hold me from being what God wants me to be—
And willing to be an example—of Jesus—for my children to see.
Now when I see negative character reflected in my children’s eyes,
I look into the mirror, for it’s no longer such a surprise.
Instead of asking them to change, I ask God to work in me,
And day by day, changes in them take place—and Christ I am able to see.
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