Celebrating Mother’s Day!

Bachelor Nation fan favorite Trista Sutter is mom to two kids, Maxwell and Blakesley, with her husband Ryan Sutter, who she met on “The Bachelorette.”

Since her time as the Bachelorette, Trista and Ryan have kept fans updated with their adorable family on social media.

And now, Trista is stopping by to chat with BachelorNation.com exclusively about Mother’s Day and what it means to her to be a mom.

Check out Trista’s full interview below!

Bachelor Nation: Happy Mother’s Day! How is motherhood?!

Trista Sutter: Thank you so much! My babies are now 13 and 14, so it’s been a while since they took their first breaths, but life is good!

BN: They’ve been growing up so fast! What has surprised you most about motherhood over the years?

TS: What has surprised me most about motherhood is how passionate I would be about standing up for them and their growth and happiness and how difficult it would be to not immediately jump to their rescue. Whether it’s dealing with a playground bully, insensitive friend, unprofessional teacher, or just the unfortunate cruelty of some of the people in this world, it’s hard for me to not want to shield them from negativity. I’ve learned, though, (especially by my husband’s example!) that I can’t hover or put them in a bubble, and it’s best for me to offer my unconditional love and support through actions and heart-to-heart talks about life’s teachable moments.

BN: A lot of parents can relate to that; thank you for sharing. What is your favorite part of motherhood?

TS: My favorite part of motherhood is getting the privilege of a front-row seat to watch them blossom into kind, curious, fun-loving, and happy young adults.

BN: That must be so special! How would you say motherhood has changed you?

TS: It’s changed me in all the best ways.

BN: So sweet. What milestones are you most looking forward to in the future?

TS: I haven’t decided if I’m most looking forward to this or insanely worried, but Max just finished driver’s ed class and will get his permit in July!!

BN: Oh my gosh, so exciting! What does being a mom mean to you?

TS: It means EVERYTHING.

BN: And as a mom, what do you hope to teach your Max and Blakesley?

TS: As a parent, you hope to teach your kids everything, but there are some lessons they learn for themselves... and that’s okay or even better in the long run. Right now, I’m focused on the big-picture stuff, like the importance of integrity and thoughtfulness, surrounding yourself with friends who lift you up, the power of respect and honesty, not allowing social media to determine your self-worth, the benefits of hard work, and knowing that I will always be there with a hug, a ride, or a hand.

BN: That’s some great insight. Any other advice for fellow parents?

TS: Don’t ever be too proud to ask for help.

BN: Absolutely. And last but not least, would you let your kids watch your Bachelor Nation journey one day?

TS: I can’t imagine I’ll be able to escape it, as Blakesley has already started watching the current seasons with me!