"How did you do it Mum?"

I think the young never appreciate anything these days until they are in the same position, at least she appreciates what you have done, thats nice...

Yes once they get out and hit real life that is when they wonder how we actually made it through without much money, the thing is though to be honest that everything is a lot dearer today than it was yesturday and our money used to be able to go further due to this, but I bet your daughter did make you feel special to have such a wonderful mother.

Aww this is a sweet story Ausnikki. Wish more people were as appreciative as your daughter. She obviously has a great mum who has taught her the lessons of life.

Awwww I would cry if my kids said that in the future. Being a single mum with young children (7 and 21 mths) I can only hope my kids are like that when they get older and understand all that we went through

Yes that is so lovely and it is good when Kids see how hard it is and I am glad that your Daughter appreciates you this way

I could only hope one day my daughter will acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work that was invested in raising her. However, my oldest son did acknowledge that sacrifices were made, he made a comment to my mother, not me though about the things I had done to give them a comfortable life. When my mom told me I really did feel good, now I know all my efforts were not completely taken for granted...SS

Having been in your situation ausnikki I understand the hardships that doing it alone can cause. One thing I can remember being said to me by a neighbour who had children similar ages to mine was "my kids don't appreciate anything it is nothing for them to leave their brand new bikes outside for someone to pinch and think nothing of it, and to hear them say we can always by another one but your kids appreciate what they have") He saw the struggle we had but he was right! It is moments like your daughter saying this, that it makes it all worth it in the long run! We can be proud of our children as they know the reality of "not much"!

That's so sweet! that's so heart warming...and she's so sweet...though i'm still single but i've always appreciate my mom, knowing that i am who i am now for their upbringing and support me for throughout the ups and downs of my life...Thanks for sharing this with us...

It's good that your daughter appreciate you. Not all can say that to their parents or most of the kids specailly teens dont appreciate their parents and always ask for more. I'm so happy for you. I hope every daughter and son are like her. You really raise her good thats why she has that way of thinking.

Good for you!!! You not only raised her (and her brother) but you taught her to be thankfull and how to appreciate. I did not realize how hard my mother worked for us, until I was in her position. I tell my daughter, that when she get's older, she too will realize, what a hard job, being a mom is.

It is good that she called you to tell you this. The fact is, is that even when they get older, it is like they think there are secret money trees somewhere that we get by somehow on. They do not realize how hard it is till they get out on their own. Then is when it hits them. That is when they start to get more apreciative at the things that they had when they were younger and how good they really had it.

You should be proud of yourself too. & I'm also proud of my Mother. She was a single parent & was able to raise all of us properly. My mom single-handedly took care of me & my 3 younger brothers & even provide financial help to our other relatives. It was really nice of her that she sacrificed a lot things for us. She would be out for work most of the time, that's why my relatives would look after us. When I was just I kid, i thought it was really unfair that she does not spend a lot of times with us, that i don't get to have a lot of chance to build a "open relationship w/ her", that i'm became rebellious & hard towards her. But now that I'm already a mother of 2 kids, I came to realize how difficult it was to raised kids by yourself with limited resources. That money does not grows on trees. That mothers always do the best for their kids. That mothers would sacrifice her "neccessities" just to provide for the family. It was really a struggle, until now. Luckily, I still have my mom to help me thru. She's not only my inspiration but also my mentor. I can always depend on her. I wished I realized this before. I'm really grateful to her & I owe her my life... I wish I could do much for her.. to let her know how much I appreciate her & love her... I know saying is not enough to show it..but anyway... THANKS TO ALL MOTHERS...esp MY MOM...I'm proud of you...

Touching moment! And yes we do appreciate the things you do for us, but we don't fully understand them until we experience them. Plus parents are oh so busy to make your life a mess (or at least that appears to be what they're doing, because they are overprotective) that we(kids) forget to thank them for loads of things. My mom always tells me how I can't appreciate things and I don't value things. Preaching me won't do her any good you know? Until she won't get a better attitude I won't admit that I appreciate the things she and my dad do for me.

True, its difficult to understand unless u go thru the same situation. Its good to know she realized, i hope she find a way out from her troubles, financial affairs make life sour

Aww that is so awesome that she has acknowledged the effort you have put in to raising her brother and herself. Its so great that she has experienced being out on her own with not much money, and now she understands the sacrifices you made for each of them. You are a great mum Nikki and I think its just so awesome.

Well, all I can say that your a great mom. My moms just like you, we didn't have much and it was always a struggle but we had a good life because of her. High five for all moms like you.

before you know it, or you try it your self, we always don't appreciate the effort. i do. i do appreciate my mom since i born my baby.

I remember this very same conversation I had with my mom a few years back. It was a wonderful conversation between her and I and she gave me some rather useful tips on life then. I only hope for the day that my children call and ask me. With any luck they will have it better and I will not have to recieve a call. Just one to say thank you.

really it sounds good when you are given your due credit;especially by your loved ones, doesn't it?

Dont it just make you feel so good when they do that. My oldest has two toddlers of her own now and she calls saying those same words quite often. We live a 9 hour drive from her and it is so hard but I am so proud of her. You must have done a wonderful job raising her. Pat yourself on the back. :)