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
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carAt first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
Are you a parent concerned about passing values on to... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
Often I will hear parents say, "I just ignore Jr.... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Diapers..Changing a dirty diaper is not the best part of... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
Once your little boy/girl goes off to school, you may... Read More
1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More
There is little doubt that reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic are... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
The cost of being a parent and raising a child... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
Many reasons will cause some people to feel the need... Read More
While on a recent trip to the grocery store, I... Read More
Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More
Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
In the first premise, some films and video tapes which... Read More
Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
We know that ancient cultures and Indians and the like... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Not nearly as often as it should. Most child abuse... Read More
Q. How do I overcome the 16-year-old who does things... Read More
Q. How do we decide what our teens should be... Read More
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
So your little Susie wants to join a competitive gymnastic... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Having a babysitter take care of your kids is sometimes... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
Parenting |