Mother's as Nurturers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ssHhzi7alI

Importance of Motherhood

Sometimes motherhood does not seem that important because we are the ones stuck on our hands and knees with rags wiping up the messes of our children.  Even though we may have an assortment of degrees, if we choose to have children we are stuck with this responsibility.  So why is it important to be a mother? 

Elder Bruce C. Hafen, a member of the Seventy said, “For most of our history, the word motherhood meant honor, endearment, and sacrifice… Yet this spirit of self-sacrifice has become a contentious issue in recent years, making contentious the very idea of motherhood” (Hafen, B.C. (2005). Covenant hearts. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.)

Basically what he is saying is that we (as women) used to have all of this love and support because being a mother was such an honor, and now this is much of the contrary.

Historically, mothers started to become the sole caregivers in the home starting with the industrialization time period.

Something that you have to remember is that having children does NOT end your life.  Parents (especially mothers) do not have to surrender their self-interest and independence completely.  There may be sacrificing a little bit, but you are still YOU!

In 1942, the First Presidency gave a statement that declared, “Motherhood is near to divinity.  It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.  It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels” (Clark, James R. (Comp.). (1935-1951). Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (vol. 6), Salt Lake City: Bookcraft.).

Isn’t it amazing to feel that motherhood is absolutely divine?!  I can’t believe that women have the opportunity and responsibility to do this.  I am personally just in love with children and can’t wait to have that opportunity in my life.  Whether that is through my own children, or if I adopt or foster children.

“Motherhood is the ideal opportunity for lifelong learning.  A mother’s learning grows as she nurtures the child in his or her development years.  They are both learning and maturing together at a remarkable pace.  It’s exponential, not linear… In the process of rearing her children, a mother studies such topics as a child development; nutrition; health care; physiology; psychology; nursing with medical research and care; and educational tutoring in many diverse fields such as math, science, geography, literature, English, and foreign languages.  She develops gifts such as music, athletics, dance, and public speaking.  The learning examples could continue endlessly” (Hales, R.D. (2008, August 19). The journey of lifelong learning. BYU Devotional Address. Retrieved from http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=12394&x=83&y=4.).

The foundation of effective mothering is LOVE!  That is it!  You need to love your child through the thick and thin.  Because they are always dependent on you.  They love you and want to make you happy.

“When a mother is consistently available and supportive, the child receives the physical and psychological security necessary to foster playing, exploring, and appropriate social behaviors (Bretherton, I., & Munholland, K.A. (1999). Internal working models in attachment relationships: A construct revisited. In J. Cassidy & P.R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 89-111). New York: Guilford Press.).

Nurturing a child is second nature to a woman.  Although man can nurture also, there are differences when a man raises children compared to the woman.

Last thing I want to talk about is how much I love my mom and appreciate her in my life!  She is my inspiration and a huge example to me.  I hope to be the mother that she was one day. Here's a quick picture of me and her:)