Michele Bachmann: Celebrating All Moms This Mother’s Day

Each year on Mother’s Day, we take time to recognize the women in our lives who are many times our unsung heroes. Our moms are there to be our champions—they stick up for us; they encourage us and help us reach our full potential.

I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the encouragement, inspiration and love that my mother gave me each and every single day. And even at 56, I love hearing words of support from my mom who still resides in Anoka. 

As a mother myself to five biological children and 23 foster children, I know the importance of having a strong female figure in a child’s life.

When my husband, Marcus, and I welcomed our foster children into our home, we wanted to provide them the love, support and stability that we provide to our biological children.

Unfortunately, many children in America are not afforded this same opportunity. There are currently over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, many of whom need a good home.

As a foster mom, I understand the unique challenges foster children face. Many of them have endured difficult situations and face uncertainty at every turn. But stability can be found for these children through a daily routine, friends at school, teachers who are familiar with their individual needs and through love and support in their foster home.

Foster moms – and dads – fill a crucial role. When a child experiences loss or confusion while away from their biological parents, then foster moms must nurture, support and celebrate the life of the child. These moms, by way of their position, must step in and be a strong female role model for the child or children in her care.

Appropriately, the same month of Mother’s Day, is also National Foster Care Month. I am proud to join my colleagues in the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth in an effort to raise awareness of the experiences of these youth and desire to see needless barriers removed from their lives.

This Mother’s Day, as you thank your own mother for all she does for you, I ask that you take a moment to learn more about foster care. Together, we can improve the lives of foster youth. And if you know any women who are foster moms, thank them for all they do, too.