Yesterday was International Badge Day. A little over 11 years ago, I made a decision that has shaped so much of my life – I pledged Alpha Gamma Delta. Like so many others involved in Greek life, I count joining Alpha Gam as one of the best decisions I made in college. It not only shaped me as a person, but has also influenced the stage I’m in now – motherhood. It’s made me a better mom in so, so many ways.
- I’m more patient. Every tried a chapter meeting with the opinions of 100+ girls in the room? Every tried to plan events with said girls and make sure everyone gets a chance to voice their thoughts? Patience is essential for being a sorority, and it’s even more essential in motherhood.
- I’m a better listener, and I’m better at seeing other points of view. All that practice helped prepare me for Abbie’s endless stories and questions now. Even at four years old, she has definite ideas about things, and it’s amazing to hear her thoughts nowadays.
- I’m better at planning and budgeting. We planned a lot of events, and those same skills are helping me plan birthday parties, playdates, our clothing budgets, and more. I’m better at knowing what in those events I can handle myself and what I need help with. I’m better at saying no to what I can’t do and making the right choices for us and our budgets.
- I have confidence in myself and take pride in my appearance and manner. I know people knock on sororities for having high personal care standards, but for me, it was a good thing. I feel better about myself and more confident when I am looking my best. I’m more confident in general when I’m comfortable with myself, and that in turn translates into my parenting. I have confidence in the decisions we make for our family, and I have pride in the woman I am raising my daughter to be.
- I work hard to do the best I can for myself. It’s so important to me that my daughters see me trying my best in everything I do, and that’s something I learned from Alpha Gam. I work hard to improve myself rather than compete with others, and I now model that for them. I’m a better mom when I work on myself first.
- I cherish my friendships. I have a few very close friends, and to my girls – they’re family. These friendships have been such a strong, wonderful thing in my life, and having those strong friendships will teach my girls to value their own friendships.
- I value my community. This is more than just the community I live in – it’s the village I turn to with regard to raising my girls. It’s the help I have from outside my immediate family. I know more support is always better, especially when it comes to raising a family, and I’m happy to accept the help!
- I love with all I’ve got. I give everything I can to those I love – friends and family. There is no better way to model love and acceptance for my girls than to practice it myself.
Were you in a sorority? Do you agree that it has influenced who you are as a mom?
6 Responses
Yay! I was an Alpha Xi Delta and also on the Panhel. Not only participating in my chapter, but also having to listen to all the other 16 sororities on campus has definitely prepared me for motherhood. Especially when so many act like children. Ha ha!
Oh my gosh yes. So many of them did act like children!
I wasn’t in a sorority but I had a lot of friends that were and I love this perspective!!
Thank you! It truly is a unique experience!
LiEP!
? Right back at you!