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
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
Once upon a time, I thought I had it all.... Read More
"No thank you. Don't bother to send me the report... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
The Real Dangers to Kids Online and How to Avoid... Read More
The Theme from MASHI flipped the button on the remote... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary... Read More
In today's fast-paced society, many families depend on some form... Read More
Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More
Many of us have grown up drinking caffeinated diet sodas... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
This is the third and final article in a series... Read More
Mother's Day is important for children.This Mother's Day take note... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
Research literature, recent books, and common sense, all point to... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the phrase that is... Read More
1. Encourage Questions.Don't answer every question, instead ask what do... Read More
You are sitting with the professionals who know about learning... Read More
"Not another meeting!"That tends to be the reaction from many... Read More
Here are some things that you can do to help... Read More
Everyone loves penguins. And now, everyone has a chance to... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
Did you know that cooking with your kids is a... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
Research published by University of Rochester neuroscientists C. Shawn Green... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
Is your babysitter watching the kids and your k9 family... Read More
Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More
Parenting |