All opinions are always 100% honest and my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also participate in: CJ Affiliate; eBay Partner Network; Rakuten Affiliate Network; ShareASale; Walmart Affiliate Program; independent affiliate networks.

My sister and I recently had the opportunity to attend the American Mothers Inc. convention in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City where my daughter was performing with the Cache Children's Choir. Among the speakers were the 2006 Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year. My sister leaned over to me and said something to the effect, “I find that an interesting designation.” This led to an in-depth conversation between us about what qualities would qualify a woman as “Mother of the Year.”

The master of ceremonies for the day included a woman who had given up a high profile career to be a stay-at-home mom definitely a Mother of the Year in our book. Another mother who performed on the program, with her children, was the mother of seven or eight of the most talented musicians I have ever seen. Just thinking about the time, money and energy that that mother had to put into lessons definitely qualify her as a candidate for Mother of the Year. At the same time, there is no way she would have had time to be as heavily involved in PTA and 4-H and other community service and organizations as so many outstanding mothers I know. A former Young Mother of the Year I know very well developed and leads a youth-led organization to protect youth and strengthen communities. Surely this mother, whose life was consumed with music lessons, did not have time to run organizations.

So who is most qualified for the title Mother of the Year, and why was it the one involved in community service a few years ago and the mother of musically gifted children this year? Which attribute is most important and most worthy of recognition? Or is it my sister, who was blessed with a daughter with Down syndrome, and has spent countless hours advocating for these special children, supporting and lifting other parents who face similar challenges, and teaching on the speaking circuit to help not only her own daughter but other children and parents whose lives are consumed with this circumstance that showed up in their life? Surely she would qualify as Mother of the Year and yet, as my sister, I also know her well enough to know that she isn't perfect. For that matter, as a good friend of the former Young Mother of the Year, I am well aware of some of her challenges and weaknesses.

Does the fact that they have these weaknesses disqualify them for the “Mother of the Year” title? Does my sister's imperfection make her great contributions to society obsolete? Does the fact that a former Mother of the Year is currently experiencing great struggles in certain areas of her life make her any less a “Mother of the Year”? What about my dear friend who is the most incredible mother I have ever met (they must have used her as the model when they wrote the textbook on raising children!), yet is single? Does being single automatically disqualify a woman for Mother of the Year status? If so, does that mean that no matter how many other things a single mother does right and no matter what kind of life she creates for her family, she is less than other mothers because of her marital status? Does marital status, then, override mothering status? Does weakness obliterate strengths? And what about the woman who does everything right, yet her children choose not to follow the mother's advice for a time? Does this mean the mother didn't give Mother of the Year quality in her efforts? Does a woman have to be perfect, and have perfect children, to qualify as Mother of the Year? And perfect in what areas?

What qualifies a woman for Mother of the Year? Is it the mother who cooks delicious gourmet meals three times a day no matter what? Is it the mother who sews all of her children's clothes and costumes? Or is it the soccer mom who shows up at every game and activity the children participate in, even coaching on occasion? Is it the PTA mom who spends almost as much time at the school as the child? Is it the mother who successfully juggles a stressful, high profile job while also being there for her children? Or is it the mother who gives up the high profile career to be a mother? Is the mother who is a high profile politician or the mother who successfully advocates for positive change in the local school? Is it the mother who raises a house full of outstanding musicians or dancers or athletes or is it the mother who sacrifices to go back to school in her later years to complete her degree? Is it the mother who has all straight A students or the mother who supports her struggling students through their academic challenges and helps them to maintain their self-esteem? Is it the mother that is happily married and providing her children with a wonderful example of a healthy marriage or the single mother who had the courage to escape an abusive marriage to protect the children? Is it the mother who loves to be in the outdoors and has an immaculate yard or the mother who keeps an immaculate house indoors or the mother who has the patience and stamina to let her budding young artist explore their world, even if it means having messes all over the house most of the time? Is it the mother who reads to her children 20 minutes a day or the mother who takes her children on field trips for hands on experiences? Is it the mother who travels with her children or the mother who makes sure the kids are in school every day and get their 100% attendance award every year? Is it the mother who dresses like a fashion model or the mother who wears the same pair of jeans she wore the past three years so that the kids can have new clothes for school? Is it the mother who manages to stay in size six clothing even after having three to four children or the mother who's shape keeps changing as she spends all of her time supporting the children?

Or does a Mother of the Year have to be all of the above?

Let's face it, no woman can be, nor would want to be, all of the above. Interests and priorities vary from woman to woman and family to family. Challenges and circumstances vary. So what qualifies a woman as “Mother of the Year”? My sister and I believe that there are many, many women from all different walks of life, with a wide variety of interests, challenges, strengths and weaknesses, who would all qualify as Mother of the Year in someone's life. I am inviting each of you to take a moment to consider which women in your life you would name as Mother of the Year and why and share with the rest of us the characteristics and traits you find worthy of “Mother of the Year” status.

Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.