Parenting with Soul The Role of the Mother

A mother often knows their child from the day it is conceived. A mother often has a sense of their unborn child even before they meet. It seems that mother and child are connected in a way that is different to the father-child connection. A mother shares her body with her child. The child may sense the mother?s feelings and is surrounded by her being. During the birthing experience, the mother expels her child from her body and welcomes it into the world. After the birth the mother is still connected to the child via the cord until it is cut and the physical tie falls away. After birth the mother often feeds her child her breast milk for a time until the baby is ready to take on other food sources. During this time of intense feeding and helplessness, it is usually the mother who cares for the child. A mother gives unconditionally to her child, her body, energy and spirit.

Commonly many contemporary Western cultures disregard the value and importance of mothering. It is often portrayed as a waste of valuable time or a choice that is devalued as it does not generate a weekly wage, therefore a role less of value to the family and wide community. Historically mothering was values and celebrated by many ancient cultures. Pythagoras a great scholar from the ancient Greek times, believed the nature of a mother?s work to be sacred and that the mother prepared the future generations. Surely, then the work of the mother should be revered and valued more in contemporary western cultures.

Part of the role of a mother is to provide a rhythm to each day for her family. Regardless of whether the mother is in involved work outside the home, her role brings organisation and routine to the day. This routine should be one that meets the needs of the family as best as possible, giving each person a sense of familiarity and reassurance. Young children especially need to know that there is a flexible routine and that they are able to anticipate what each day might bring. This familiarity extends also to family rules and discipline.

All children need consistent rules and expectations about behaviour. The mother must contribute to this is a loving and nurturing way. Discipline within the family should encourage children to make more appropriate choices and have logical consequences for poor choices. Punishment has no place in a loving and nurturing home environment.

The role of the mother, as part of an extended family unit, is one of immense value to individual children, families and the wider community. The mother is growing, nurturing and contributing to the development of future generations. The mother needs the support and encouragement of the child?s father to be effective in her nurturing role within the family.

By: Samantha WardGrodd