Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world and one of the most rewarding.  For a long time, I was the mother of one boy.  He and I grew to become very close (most people assume we are siblings rather than mother and son to this day) and he went everywhere with me.  From business trips, where he often enjoyed playing at hotel/resorts with my parents while I worked as a young boy, to family vacations, he has never been too far away from me.  He was a very well behaved and mild mannered child – he is often described by others as a sweet, sensitive, funny, and caring young man who is also a very old soul.  Adults always tell me that my oldest son is one of the most respectful youth they have ever encountered and often feel a real ease when he is around.

When the twins were born in late 2007, I saw my sweet boy grow into his role of ‘big brother’. It seemed like he became a ‘man’ overnight.  He wore his ‘I’m a Big Brother to Twins’ T-Shirt to the delivery and truly took on the very meaning of the phrase. We often joke that he thinks he is more of their father then the twins’ big brother – he loves them, plays with them, tries to correct their mistakes, and is fiercely over-protective of his baby brothers (even with us - their parents).  The twins adore him and in his eyes his baby brothers are perfect.

I was recently selected to be a JOHNSON’S Baby Cares Council Member. The JOHNSON’S and JOHNSON’S Baby brand has always been a part of my childhood and now I am raising my children with their quality line of products.  As a way to ensure every baby has a healthy and happy start in life, JOHNSON’S® Baby announced the launch of a new charitable platform, JOHNSON’S® BABY CARES. 

The program will support the healthy development of moms and babies while also addressing the basic care needs of families during crisis situations in the form of educational initiatives, product donations and financial assistance. Beginning with a partnership with global children’s humanitarian organization Save the Children, the JOHNSON’S® BABY CARES campaign kicks off by leveraging the support of actress and new mom Hilary Duff to assemble “Care Kits” that will be distributed to families in times of natural disasters. Consumers are encouraged to support the charitable platform by visiting the JOHNSON’S® BABY CARES tab on the JOHNSON’S® Baby Facebook page.  “According to Save the Children, 90 percent of U.S. children live in areas at risk of natural disasters,” said Ivy Brown, Marketing Director, Baby Care, JOHNSON’S^® Baby and DESITIN^®. “In addition, families worldwide are also impacted by various global natural disasters where mothers and babies are deprived of their most basic needs. We are launching this charitable platform to provide these mothers and caregivers with essential basic resources and simple tools that will lend support in times of unexpected crisis.”  To assist families, the makers of JOHNSON’S^® Baby products, alongside parent company Johnson & Johnson, are making a multi-year, multi-million dollar contribution to Save the Children that will help create and sustain key initiatives.  Consumers can show their support of this campaign by purchasing any JOHNSON’S^® Baby product between April 15 and June 10, 2012 and redeeming a $0.50 cent coupon at retail stores, in which $0.25 cents will be donated to Save the Children. Throughout the rest of the year JOHNSON’S^® Baby will share additional ways consumers can get involved to help support Save the Children.

The majority of the duration of my pregnancy with the twins, my husband was on military deployment overseas.  My oldest son now felt like he wanted to be in charge of taking care of me, his mother, and his unborn twin brothers. From the ultrasound where we found out we were pregnant with twins to him waiting for the birth of twin brothers in the delivery room, he was there every step of the way.

The following is a short letter of thanks to him.

To My Dearest and Eldest Son,
I want to thank you for being the wonderful son you have been throughout your 14 years of life.  Your life has brought joy to so many around you and your entire family and has brought meaning to mine.  You have been such a unique and special boy since the moment you were born. There is no one like you – your essence of faith, humor, kindness, caring, and love – is almost unheard of in someone your age. Your depth for understanding and appreciating matters of life that are beyond your physical years is something of wonder to all. 

I am so proud of the teen and man you are becoming.  For many years, you were the only child I was privileged to raise, and you had all my focus.  The moment you became a big brother, you not only willingly now shared my love and attention with two other children  but you also took on the role of being a true big brother. Your care and love for your baby brothers is evident by all and it fills my heart with joy and delight.  You are inspiring to me everyday and I am blessed and humbled with the honor to be your mother.  I am the woman I am today because I am your mother.  I pray the Lord will continue to guide me in raising you to be a Godly man and that you will follow His plan for your life.  I love you now and for all eternity.
Love,
Mommy

Disclosure: This post is written as a JOHNSON’S Baby Cares Council Member for the #WeCare campaign that is with Latina Bloggers Connect. All thoughts and opinions are clearly my own.