Motherhood is a lifetime commitment, but for Ingrid Sorensen, mother of soon to be eight and recipient of the Utah Young Mother of the Year Award, motherhood is joy.

“She is a very dedicated mother who balances church obligations and family responsibilities,” said Karmel Larson, the Utah Valley chapter president of American Mothers Inc. “She is a good mother raising good children.”

Sorensen completed a variety of requirements to qualify for Utah Young Mother of the Year. After being nominated for the award, a panel of judges interviewed her, and she prepared a portfolio containing essays on motherhood and life in the community.

She joined American Mothers Inc. two years ago and remains an active member of the nonprofit organization. She teaches a positive parenting class on the second Thursday of each month at the Provo Library.

The focus of the organization is built upon educating mothers, families and communities. Members are encouraged to become better leaders by being involved in their community through volunteering.

Sorensen addressed members of the organization during a program to honor motherhood.

“Service is built into motherhood,” Sorensen said. “Mothers are serving before they open their eyes in the morning and often a few times in the middle of the night.”

Sorensen said through American Mothers Inc. she meets wonderful women who are passionate about being mothers. The organization allows new moms to be taught by more experienced ones and each is supported through friendships of all ages.

In April, she represented Utah mothers at the national convention for American Mothers Inc. held in Lincoln, Nebraska. The convention emphasized that motherhood is important and valued.

But motherhood is not free from challenges.

“There are only 24 hours in a day,” Sorensen said.  “I have enough love for each of my children, but they all need to feel like they are needed.”

Being a mother brings a lot of happiness. She recalls watching her children build a fort out of blankets in the front room of their home and playing together every morning and afternoon.

“It warms my heart to know that they are good to each other and to others,” Sorensen said.

She encourages mothers to teach behaving above childishness but still allowing children to act their age.

“Let your kids be kids,” Sorensen said. “Tolerate a bit of mess, noise and chaos.”

Sorensen said motherhood is the ultimate opportunity.

“[Mothers] don’t need to go out and be someone in the eyes of the world,” Sorensen said. “If you’ve chosen to be a mom, it’s the most important place to make a difference.”