May 14th is when Australians traditionally celebrate Mother’s Day. It’s a time for children young and old, to remember and express thanks to their mother for the love, caring and nurturing unstintingly given them. While a mother’s love is strong and practically unbreakable, it’s not easy work. Having the responsibility of raising a child to be a happy, healthy, good citizen, can be challenging. Self-doubt and anxiety can dampen the joy of mothering. Yet, it’s possible to overcome uncertainty and be a confident mother. What’s more, it’s good for your health.
YOU CAN BE A CONFIDENT MOTHER
From time-to-time, my mother used to remind me that she wasn’t born a parent. She’d say that as her first-born child, I didn’t come with a manual telling her how to care for me, raise me, or teach me the difference between good and bad, right and wrong. She had to learn with me year-by-year as I grew up. She did an excellent job. I will always be grateful to her for her love and care, and the important spiritual life-lessons she taught me.
TIPS:
– Be calm. Don’t try to be the ‘perfect’ mother on day one. Confident mothering is a skill that you learn as you go along.
– Be patient with yourself – and with your child. The right idea for what to do and when to do it will come as you quietly listen.
– Be reassured. No matter what happens, you have a divine Mother comforting and helping you each step of the way. – The Bible Isaiah 66:13
– Be certain of your ability to be a caring, compassionate role model for your children.
– Be ready. As a mother you are “the strongest educator, either for or against crime.” You can teach your child “at the earliest possible period the truths of health and holiness. Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good.” – Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p. 236 – Be loving and strong. Teach your child the importance of being obedient and good. It’s your great privilege to “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it”. The Bible Proverbs 22:6
– Be confident. If the going gets tough and self-doubt creeps in, pause, remind yourself that you ARE an intelligent, capable, unflappable mum. You can do this. So, take your time. Grow into motherhood. Be a confident mother. It’s good for your health.
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Every Mother’s Day I am grateful for what I learned from my mother and grandmother while I was growing up. Their example helped me become the person I am today. The number one thing I learned from these first people in my life – something that I do regularly and that characterises what I learned from my mum, helps me celebrate the two women who gave me so much.
My mother’s favourite rule comes from a Walt Disney film – Bambi. Many times she’d remind me: “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all”. It’s been a lesson worth learning – one that’s helped me to foster such qualities as grace, kindness, and respect in my thoughts and actions towards others, and, stopped me “gossiping”. The effect? Positive, happy relationships at home and work.
Photo and comment published in the May edition of Around Point Cook and Around Altona community newspapers in print and online via Issuu.
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Beverly Goldsmith writes on the connection between spirituality and health and is a professional Christian Science practitioner and teacher.
This article has been published on Motherpedia. Read more by me on Motherpedia…
Also published in the May 2017 edition of Around Point Cook community newspaper in print and online via Issuu.
Photo attribution: © Glow Images. Model used for illustrative purposes
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