Motherhood, Ambition, and the Voice My Son Heard on Stage

"𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘢, 𝘥𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘦 𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘓ö𝘸𝘦." To be complimented by a teenager does mean a whole lot!

These words still ring like music in my ears. That’s what my son told me after I got off stage from my TEDx talk. To translate it for people who don’t speak German and/or are not familiar with German meme culture: “Mama, you spoke like a lion.” Originated from an interview clip of a German rapper who famously said “𝘋𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘦 𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘓ö𝘸𝘦." These words are now used as words of endearment by Gen Z when someone is very eloquent, makes a strong point, etc.

This was the only feedback that mattered in the moment. The last time he saw his mother command a room like that was when I graduated from high school, and he was just a toddler, which was also very special because not only did he see his mother hit a milestone that she had worked towards, but he saw me sing and perform in front of hundreds of guests and be honored for exceptional social engagement.

As mothers in the work force, we deal with so much that people don’t see: Child care, making sure the kids are not just surviving but thriving in school, making sure they are decent human beings with integrity, keeping up with their extracurriculars, being their biggest supporter and shoulder to lean on, and somehow still figuring out who we are in the middle of all of it.

I was very much plagued by mom guilt in the first couple of years with him. I had no choice but to go ahead and do my best to make something out of myself. It wasn’t just forced out of circumstances, though. I couldn’t let go of trying to figure out who I was, despite my role as a mother, and refused to accept that I had to subscribe to a version that didn’t align with what felt right. And today I am very proud of that because that’s exactly what my son appreciates most about me: ambition, boldness, the ability to say I will do something and see it through, no matter how seemingly small or big the idea and goal is.

I strive to set a good example. One of the things I try to teach him is not to just do what is asked of you but to stay curious and follow that curiosity with bold actions. Another thing I live by is something my mother loves to say to my siblings and me, “ Wo ist dein Platz in dieser Welt?” (“Where’s your place in this world?”). By asking that she reminds us of the fact that we have a hand in deciding how the world perceives us and how we experience this adventure called life.

So, on this Mother’s Day, I remember that I am obviously a lioness raised by a lioness and feel full and blessed to come from such a wise, caring, and loving mother and to be able to pass that wisdom, care, and love on.

Tag a mother who speaks like a lion and share what your mother taught you that you're now passing on.

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