Moms, did you ever question your value as a role model, caretaker, administer of hugs and Band-Aids? I think we all have in today's climate of "do more, get more, have more." Many of us work to bring home a paycheck and others work for our sanity. Have you ever wondered if your children were better off with the baby sitter than you? Scientific studies are beginning to point to the overwhelming value of a mother's love, hugs and support. Nannies, baby-sitters and relatives are terrific. They just aren't as terrific as Mom.
I have had the best of both worlds, I suspect. I worked a high-powered executive job until my older daughter was 2 and a half. At a crossroads in my career, I opted to "get pregnant and stay home for a year." HA! Little did I realize I was about to take a ten-year hiatus from my much-loved life! I didn't get pregnant right away, but, after having spent a year basking in the glow of being Mom, I couldn't bear giving up the care and nurturing of my daughter to another nanny, no matter how wonderful. I think it was the best career move of my life.
Well, ten years later, I am back in the work force and thriving. Yes, I felt bored much of the time. Yes, our family sacrificed the bigger house, fancier cars and vacations some of our peers were enjoying. But it was a conscious decision to sacrifice for the benefit of our children. We wanted our morals, our ethics and our life lessons to influence our children.
I think moms can work at home, be homemakers or work outside of the home and still be great moms. The most important part of mothering, I feel, is being there for our children. Maybe your sacrifice is going to work but spending your precious little free time reading your child a bedtime story every night, taking him to the park on Saturdays or chaperoning your daughter's school dance. What matters is our input, the confidence in our roles as mothers and knowing we are the best person for the role ... to understand how valuable we are to society.
Pat yourselves on the backs ... you've accomplished a miracle! There is no greater sacrifice on earth, in my opinion, than making the decision to be a parent. Know how important you are. Know that your children need you to be as solid an individual as you can be. Therein lies your strength as a mother, whether you spend all day at home or in an office. We are all exceptional women in our motherhood.
Copyright ? 2000-2004- Rexanne Mancini
Rexanne Mancini is the mother of two daughters, Justice and Liberty. She is a novelist, freelance writer and maintains an extensive yet informal parenting and family web site, Rexanne.com ? http://www.rexanne.com Visit her site for good advice, award-winning Internet holiday pages and some humor to help you cope. Subscribe to her free newsletter, Rexanne's Web Review, for a monthly dose of Rexanne: http://www.rexanne.com
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
For parents, keeping our kids safe is a constant top... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
1. STOP focusing on what you are going to make... Read More
If you ever walk through an orphanage, it will be... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
Did you know that the school system is only able... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
Several similar terms describe the central attribute of a character... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
Parents are in a unique position to "monitor" their children's... Read More
Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling... Read More
Being a parent is a role that requires a large... Read More
Are your children truthful, kind, and helpful? If so, read... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
Summertime means insect bites and stings. Ouch! Take a leaf... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
Memorizing math facts is a necessary part of elementary school.... Read More
Parenting |