I’ve been a mother for over 10 years. You know, it’s funny, I always wanted to be a mother, even as young as 1, I would walk around with a baby doll in my arms playing the role of a mommy. It’s always been in my DNA. When my oldest son William was placed on my chest on September 25th, 2004, in that moment, life was exactly how it should be – perfect. I couldn’t get over the immediate love, the immediate bond, the immediate feeling of I want to do this again and again and again. And well, I did do it again… 4 more times to be exact. My William (10), Alexander (9), Benjamin (8), Henry (6) and Victoria (1) are the loves of my life, my inspiration, my reason for being. My 5 children, they make me matter. They are my legacy to the generations to come after me and I love knowing that and I love honoring that as their mother.

I grew up with a GREAT mom, so I’ve always wanted to be a GREAT mom to my kids, just like she was. It’s something I don’t take lightly.

Being a GREAT mom to me is about…

Making them belly laugh.

Seeing their eyes light up when I walk into a room.

Surprising them with cookies when they come home from school.

Tucking them in at night and keeping 2 extra lights on because I know they’re scared.

It’s lying in bed with them until they fall asleep.

Enjoying the moments of bathtime with JOHNSON’S® baby bath products, it’s the learning and bonding that takes place while I’m washing hair and creating massive bubbles baths! Lots of laughter and smiles.

Sitting at our dinner table and having a conversation that I’m totally tuned into and listening intently to.

Encouraging them to follow their dreams and their goals.

Bringing them to do fun activities on the weekends – apple picking, pumpkin patches, hiking, mystery car rides, scavenger hunts, etc.

Singing in the car with them with the windows down.

Watching their favorite TV shows together on the couch.

Being there for them for every swim meet, baseball game and school activity.

Sitting at the kitchen table with them as homework is being done.

Do I think I’m a great mom?

Yeah, I do. I think I do a pretty awesome job at it because it’s a role I’ve been waiting to do my whole entire life.

I’m a GREAT mom because I’m there. My mom taught me that the most important thing is to be present, to be someone that they can always rely and count on for anything and everything.

Being there for them means making them feel loved. Bringing them happiness and laughter and a wonderful, fun and fulfilled life. We laugh a lot at home and it’s that laughter that lights up our world. I always want them to feel warmth and happiness and unconditional love from me, and I want them to know that this is what is most important in life.

Recently I arrived home around 8:30PM from a business trip, as I walked through the door I heard a little voice say, “She’s HOME!” In the next moment, 5 little kids were running at me with smiles on their faces.

I’m their “she” and I love that – that moment helped me know that my being there is so important and special and it made me feel like a GREAT mom because they were genuinely from head-to-toe happy to see me.

Audrey McClelland is a social media consultant, brand advocate and the co-founder of MomGenerations.com, an online destination for mothers featuring the latest trends in fashion, product reviews, advice for busy moms and more. She is a contributor for JOHNSON’S, the sponsor of this community, and compensated for travel and attendance at events. Every idea and word written is her own.