Watching Michael Phelps win an unprecedented eight gold medals in the Olympics was thrilling. Watching Debbie Phelps, his mom, react to each of those wins was heartwarming and--for me and moms across the world--almost as exhilarating.

I will not forget Michael's reactions after the finish of each of the eight races as he either pulled up his goggles in the water to see the board confirming his win or, in the case of the relays, his fist-pumping excitement as his teammates helped him get the gold. Michael had the world cheering for him--and I was one of those fans--but as a mom, I was most enthralled with his biggest fan ... his mom.

As much as I enjoyed reading about Michael throughout the Olympics, I also enjoyed reading about and listening to Debbie. She was divorced and basically raised three kids on her own. Michael was bullied by his peers, diagnosed with ADD and told by many educators that he would amount to nothing. Debbie, an educator herself, knew that wasn't true. The world now knows that wasn't true ... and I believe there is a message not only for the kids out there facing challenges but also for their moms.

Find your strength, find your child's strength and never stop believing in either. Phelps found his focus, his passion and his dreams in the pool and every single carpooling "soccer-mom" out there understands the commitment on Debbie's part to the achievement of those dreams. As a mom, I salute her--and I know that as Michael will be a role model for many children, Debbie will be a role model for many moms.

Leslie Adler is the founder of The Vuv Club.