Mother’s Day has been celebrated around the world, officially since 1914, celebrating and showing love and gratitude to those mother figures who raised us. The most precious gift for a human is family, our lives are impacted with their presence, both visible and invisible. Last Sunday was Mother’s Day, a day where motherhood is put on a pedestal, however, as mums, we know that being a mother figure is a daily grind, long talks, constant worrying, being loved and appreciated one minute only to be misunderstood and undervalued in another and the balancing act of being a parent as opposed to a friend. As a mother, we are often guided by the strength, support, direction and teachings received over the years from our own mothers and how we endeavour to do the same for our children. It is also a time to pray for and appreciate the struggles of some who find this day challenging, facing different emotions due to their own personal journey.
There are many ways to mother, many kinds of mothers, those who are not birth mothers, but who love and nurture the children of others, grandparents who take the role of mother to their grandchildren, fathers who are both mum and dad, just to name a few. Sheri Dew, an author and religious leader says, “Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our father gave us. Mothers are found in all shapes and forms. They can be sisters, aunts, leaders, teachers or anyone who is willing to reach out to another human being with love.” There are people who mother with their every phone call, card, or message to the child of someone they love, with their every visit, every special outing, every shoulder they offer to someone to cry on, every wise bit of hard-learned advice they share.
No two mothers are alike and sometimes mothers compare themselves to others. It’s important to remember that you all have strengths that are the right fit for your family or those you mother. One is not better than the other; they are just different. Everybody makes mistakes but the focus needs to be on the things you ARE doing GREAT. Wendy Jessen from Family Share says it perfectly, “God made YOU the mother of your children because he needs you to do “you” things with them. We can stop worrying that we aren’t mothering our kids the way our friends are mothering theirs. There IS a right way to mother YOUR kids, and that’s by capitalising on your own God-given strengths. They’re yours because they need what you have.”
Mother’s Day is a day to be celebrated. It is hoped that you enjoyed and was grateful to those who wanted to celebrate YOU. Likewise, that you were able to tell the mother figures in your life how much they mean to you. Whether you are a mum with no children or many, an empty nester, a new mother, a loving aunt or friend, a neighbour, a teacher, a carer, a ‘mum’ to someone who needs you, Mother’s Day is for you. Your nurturing and caring ways qualify you as a mother. Mothering is a special gift designed to help and comfort others who need your strength, every day of the year. Regardless of how we mother, we are all doing our best with the circumstances and strengths we have. You are all mothers of the kids of the world.
Hoping you had the best Mother’s Day!
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mothers-day
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-08/mothers-day-hard-for-many-women/100124256
https://www.laparent.com/reflections-on-a-mothers-day-like-no-other/
Mrs Tracey Rogers
Deputy Principal Pastoral Wellbeing