Thanks, Mami!

Now that you're a mother yourself, chances are some of the lessons your own mom taught you, directly or indirectly, have finally started to make much more sense, so we asked 10 Latina mothers: What's the biggest lesson your mami taught you?

Check out their heartwarming responses. How many resonate with you?

"I learned tenacity and the ability to believe in myself because of my mother. She made me feel like I was intelligent, capable and worthy, and she's always been my biggest cheerleader. Now that I'm a mother with six kids of my own, I try to do the same for them. I understand how my support and encouragement is a building block for their success."

—Denise Cortes

"Growing up in a divorced household meant some struggles for us. I want to thank my mom for teaching me to survive—to flourish even—under strenuous circumstances. Becoming a mom myself, and knowing how demanding motherhood can be, I'm grateful that my mother maintained her strength."

—Vanessa Martinez Bell

"I thank my mom for showing me that picking the right battles in parenthood is more important than trying to be a perfect parent. I might not have understood some things when I was younger, but now that I have kids, I appreciate them and love her more for the way she raised us. I love you, mami!"

—Denisse Icaza

"Growing up, my mom would sneak into my room to silently pray over me at night; it's a beautiful habit that I've now carried on with my own children. Praying for the health and safety of my kids while they sleep gives me personal satisfaction and it's something that I'm grateful to have learned from my mother."

—Liz Cerezo

"Mami, thank you for teaching me to be an individual and to never let anyone change me. You refused to let me just be a follower and thanks to you, I learned to be strong and hope to teach that to my daughter now that I'm a mom, too."

—Yolanda Machado

"My mom always gave herself 20 minutes each morning before my siblings and I were up. I would sometimes catch her stretching after a very early workout or adding the finishing touches to her makeup or outfit. She taught me to not lose myself in the chaos of what being a mom is all about. Even if it is just 20 minutes in a day, I want to give that to myself. Gracias, mami!"

—Betty Velasco Galvan

"I want to thank my mami for teaching me that any sacrifice we make for our kids is worth it, but we must never lose ourselves in the process. We must continue nurturing ourselves in order to nurture our children. One day the bird will fly and we don't want to regret being alone in the nest."

—Ana Flores

"My mom taught me to be independent by giving me so many tools when I was growing up. I didn't know that learning music, having hobbies and a strong passion for what I did would lead me to be a self-confident and assertive woman, and therefore a great mother."

—Dariela Cruz

"My mom and I used to hug a lot… long, warm, tender hugs that made us feel like one. Her hugs made me feel calm, protected and infinitely loved. Thanks to this physical closeness, I now close my eyes and remember vividly: her skin, her smell, her heart. I hug my child every single day, a couple times a day. I want him to feel what I felt; especially, I want him to continue hearing my heartbeat because since his conception, my heart has always been saying how much I love him!"

—Claudia Mayorga-Del Cid

"I want to thank my mom for always keeping our home clean. I never understood why it was so important, but having two kids at home now, I see how much it helps to keep my stress level down."

—Pattie Cordova