12 Childhood Memories with Mom That Will Hit You Right in the Feels This Mother’s Day
A heartwarming collection of real childhood memories that remind us why Mom was — and always will be — our first home, hero, and heartbeat.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
This gathering of genuine childhood recollections holds the gentle, mundane moments that made our mothers unforgettable — from bedtime reassurances to quiet sacrifices. Each is simple yet has a depth of love that shaped us into who we are today. Perfect timing for Mother’s Day, these reminiscences will tug at your heartstrings and remind you of the magic that only a mom can make.
1. Dozing Off in Her Lap at Church
Image from Akira Hojo
You’d sleep on her thigh during extended sermons, drowsed to dreamland by the soft cadence of her breathing and the fragrance of her perfume. She’d softly brush your hair, not caring that you drooled a bit on her dress. That lap was as secure a place as you could ever want.
2. Her Sitting Up All Night When You Were Ill
Image from Annie Spratt
Even when she had work the following morning, she’d sit beside your bed with a cold cloth on your forehead, softly muttering comfort. She monitored your fever every hour and held the bucket when you could not keep anything down. You never saw her fatigued — only gentle.
3. The Way She Turned Your Birthday into a National Holiday
Image from Adi Goldstein
She’d begin decorating the evening before, waiting up late to hang streamers and inflate balloons by hand. Though perhaps a little off-kilter, your cake always featured your favorite character and enough icing to put you into orbit. For one enchanted day, you felt like the universe’s center of gravity.
4. Showing You How to Ride a Bike (and Dropping You Off Without Telling You)
Image from Robert Bye
You were wobbly and frightened, holding on to the handlebars for dear life. She kept pace with you, yelling words of encouragement — until you saw she’d released her grip five seconds prior. That initial taste of liberty was hers to bestow.
5. Watching Her Cry During Your School Play
Image from Rob Laughter
Even if you only had a single line, she sat in the front row with already-present tissues in hand. Your eyes welled up the instant you got onto stage, like you’d been awarded an Oscar. Afterwards, she’d insist on showing off the blurry video to anyone and everyone who’d see it.
6. Shopping for School Supplies Together
Image from Tim Gouw
She allowed you to choose the Lisa Frank folder or the gel pens, even though they were a little more expensive. Her face would light up at your enthusiasm over notebooks and backpacks — it wasn’t a task but a ritual. You walked out of the store feeling invincible and special.
7. The Aroma of Her Cooking When You Returned Home From School
Image from Kevin McCutcheon
You’d push open the door to the sweet, comforting aroma of garlic, soy sauce, or baking butter, depending on the day. Her humming in the kitchen brought the house back to life. It wasn’t dinner; it was a love letter you could devour.
8. Holding Your Hand at the Doctor’s Office
Image from Usman Yousaf
She held it close when you were afraid of shots, whispering, “It’ll be over before you know it.” You focused on her rather than the needle, drawing on her serenity to find your own. For some reason, her hand made even hurt tolerable.
9. Her Brushing Your Hair, Even When It Hurt
Image from Dhan
You’d cringe and squirm as she worked out your knots with a bit too much fervor. However, she’d always kiss the top of your head afterward, telling you, “There, beautiful.” Those five minutes were annoyance and intimacy all mixed up.
10. When She Let You Sleep in Her Bed After a Nightmare
Image from Priscilla Du Preez
No questions, no scolding — just lifting the blanket and making room. Her steady heartbeat next to yours worked better than any nightlight. The monsters never stood a chance when Mom was there.
11. Watching Her Dance in the Kitchen When Her Song Came On
Image from Jason Briscoe
She’d forget you were observing, dancing with a wooden spoon in her hand and giggling like she was seventeen again. You didn’t get the lyrics, but you got the happiness. That’s when you first figured out your mom was a person and had her own sorcery.
12. The Time She Said “I’m Proud of You” Without You Even Asking
Image from Xavier Mouton Photographie
Perhaps it was following a school assignment, a small, friendly act, or nothing at all — but she looked at you with whole eyes and said it anyway. It didn’t sound like praise; it sounded like love shouted aloud. You carried those words around for years, even if she was no longer available to repeat them.