Celebrating Mother’s Day!

Bachelor Nation fan favorite Christina Mandrell is mom to her adorable daughter Blakely May.

Since her time on “The Bachelor,” Christina has kept us updated with her and Blakely’s lives on social media.

And now, Christina 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 Christina’s full interview below!

Bachelor Nation: First of all, happy Mother’s Day, Christina! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. What does being a mom mean to you?

Christina Mandrell: Thank you so much! Being a mom to me means unconditional love. I didn’t fully understand how much love could encompass until becoming a mom.

BN: That’s beautiful! What is your ideal way to celebrate Mother's Day?

CM: Yes, I’m a mother, but I also have an amazing mother. So my ideal Mother’s Day would be spending the day celebrating being a mom with my mom, sister, and our kids. It is always so special!

BN: That sounds really special. How has motherhood changed you?

CM: Wow, how hasn’t it?! I’ve raised my daughter, but I also had her so young that she’s had a big impact on the woman I am and continue to grow into. Also, I can’t pee alone in peace anymore so there’s that, ha!

BN: Love that! What has surprised you most about motherhood?

CM: What has surprised me most is that I created a mini me. When you have a child, it’s safe to assume you’ll be similar. However, I’m 99% sure that I’ve somehow managed to create an exact clone replica of myself. I’ve got my work cut out for me, to say the least.

BN: You two are definitely twins! Do you have any advice for fellow parents?

CM: The best piece of advice I have is to create an environment where your kid feels safe to be a kid.

BN: That’s great advice. How would your daughter describe you as a mom?

CM: Well... what better way to find out than to ask her? “The snuggliest momma ever… and sooo goofy because, like, you’re always making funny songs with me.” — Blakely May.

BN: Oh, my gosh, we love that. Thank you for chiming in, Blakely! What is your favorite part of motherhood?

CM: The challenge. I love being tested, I love having to be adaptable. Every day, there’s some type of crazy obstacle that we’re faced with and I love that. In the moment, it’s not always fun, but the growth that comes out of it is immeasurable.

BN: That’s incredible. As a mom, what do you hope your child learns from you?

CM: I hope that she learns that there’s no one right or wrong way to do life. I hope to show her that in the toughest of circumstances, the strongest foundation she can have is knowing herself and staying true to that.

BN: That’s a great lesson! Do you have a proudest moment as a mom?

CM: A conversation she and I have almost daily is to not put too much importance on how proud others are of you, but rather, strive to make yourself proud. Although I can think of 10 million ways that she makes me the proudest mom ever, I feel it’s so much more impactful that she understands she doesn’t have to make me proud to receive my unconditional love and support. Always.

BN: You’re gonna make us cry! That’s so sweet. Would you let your child watch your Bachelor Nation journey one day?

CM: She actually did watch me in the Bachelor Bowl. Now she’s always talking about how she wants to play football when she grows up, proving that she is influenced by the things she sees me do. So to answer your question, yes, I would let her watch, but not until she’s old enough. I believe in open dialogue between her and I, and I’m looking forward to having conversations about my journey with her when the time is right.

BN: That’s a great way to look at it! What are you most looking forward to doing with Blakely in the future?

CM: I don’t take for granted how fudging amazing it is to have a front-row seat in her day-to-day life. I get to witness her become her own individual. So what I’m looking forward to most in the future is more of the present!