Motherhood: Mothers’ Day Musings

moth.er.hood (muh-ther-hood) noun-

-the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother

What does it mean to be a mom? Motherhood is the essence of femininity. It includes the ability to nurture, to give tender care, sometimes to sacrifice or delay meeting our own needs or desires for the benefit of our children. It doesn't matter whether we give birth to our children, become moms by adoption, fostering, or the blending of families; we have the great privilege of molding, guiding and loving the next generation, and sometimes generations beyond that.

For all of us who have children, parenting is probably the most important work we will do in a lifetime. Providing love, guidance, care, discipline, nurture, and protection for another human being, and preparing him/her to leave the parental nest and establish a life of his/her own, is an awesome responsibility. Having a new baby is one of life's greatest joys, but realizing that you are totally responsible for the care and wellbeing of that baby can be overwhelming. Every mother needs a strong support system to assist her with the job of raising loving, well-rounded children and helping them to become responsible, nurturing adults. If she is fortunate, she will have the benefit of a caring family to offer emotional support and practical help throughout the years when her children are young. If not, she needs a strong community with plenty of resources to provide all that her child needs. In the end, though, it is the mother herself who will have the greatest effect on the personality and character of the person her child will become.

Good mothers leave a priceless legacy for their children. By loving and guiding them in positive ways, they enable their children to become loving, capable parents themselves. The future of society depends upon the support it offers to mothers.