Again, she simply heard her daughter and put all pretense aside. She didn’t force her daughter to call her a name she wasn’t comfortable with. From now on, Junior, you can call me Lady.”Īligning with and respecting her daughter’s wishes, she chose to comply graciously. She said I’m beautiful and kind, so I resemble a true lady. “She wants to call me ‘Lady.'” She waited a second, then said, “And I like it. When Maya Angelou went to live with a mother she didn’t know, she refused to call her ‘Mommy.’ Instead, she decided to call her ‘Lady.’ Istock Getty image She was flexible – and accepted her daughter’s unusual request gracefully. She had flaws and limitations and was not afraid to admit them. In speaking her truth, Vivian Baxter drops the veil over the illusion that every mother is perfectly capable of mothering young children. She explained her side without making excuses. We would have all been sorry had I kept you.” It didn’t mean I didn’t love you it just meant I wasn’t ready to be a mother. I was busy talking, so you hit my hand, and I slapped you off the porch without thinking. Maya, when you were about two years old, you asked me for something. Vivian Baxter said, “I would have been a terrible mother. After the three reunited in San Francisco, the two children now teenagers, she faced difficult questions about why she abandoned them. When her young children were only five and three, Vivian Baxter sent them to live with her mother-in-law in Stamps, Arkansas. (This quote from Maya Angelou shares her mother’s unique transparency.) She was honest and authentic with her daughter. When Angelou needed her mother, she was there. She lived and breathed courage and led by example.

And she taught her daughter the critical importance of self-respect. Vivian Baxter acknowledged her greatness and let her own it.She liberated her daughter – and freed her to live on her terms.She didn’t shame her daughter when she found out about her pregnancy.Vivian Baxter made sacrifices to ensure her daughter learned valuable lessons.Vivian Baxter treated Angelou with respect – even when she misbehaved.She was flexible – and accepted her daughter’s unusual request gracefully.She was honest and authentic with her daughter.

Maya angelou mother quotes