To begin our conversation on moms and the valued role they play in building our citizens of future, I wanted to share with you a blog I found called A Mom's Life, by Meredith Sinclair. As I read through her entries I really thought she grasped the importance of how mom's play a significant part in a child's being while at the same time, struggle to maintain their own identity as an individual, a woman, sometimes the "girl" in us and yes, a contributing citizen.
The first entry I feel in love with was her take on the child/mom psychotherapy exercise entitled Play-doh Therapy. (Here's My reaction to that entry.) Please give it a read and check out her site for more interesting takes on one of our unsung heroes.
Comments (4)
Wow. I feel like I stepped into another dimension. Being Male, Marine, and Single w/o kids, I needed to read A Mom's Life.
Who knew that my own mother, a writer, teacher, and great mom, could possibly have thoughts other than what's for dinner and who's turn it was to wash the dishes!
As we speak, a future leader, her "magic wand" in hand is chasing her brother around the kitchen table. Somewhere else, a little boy is on his hands and knees, wonderously peering at a daddy-long legs making its way across the front porch. And if they're lucky, their mom is nearby, turning these everday happenings, the little stuff, life's good stuff, into lessons they'll take with them wherever they go.
I needed to read this. Once a man or woman reaches a certain point in their lives, they realize they no longer live for themselves, but for their children they have or hope to have. I hope that one day I will be in a position to give the mother of my children the ability to choose to stay home and do the real work of the family. If today's children are tomorrow's leaders, then moms are truly the builders of our country's future.
Thanks for sharing the beauty of a mom and the important work she does with the rest of us. It's something guys like me need to see. Our kids and our world depend on it.
Posted by: Joe on April 4, 2006 15:08
Whether a Mom works or doesn't, know that they all want to leave a legacy to their children. I always say: as you raise your children, you're raising your grandchildren. I wrote a poem titled, "As Your Mother." It echoes what all of us want:
As Your Mother
As your Mother
I wish I could cry your tears
to keep you from feeling sadness.
As your Mother
I wish I could make right your disappointments
so youll never feel betrayed.
As your Mother
I wish I could experience your first heartbreak
so that you wont feel like youre dying inside.
As your Mother
I wish I could hit everyone back who hit you first
so theyll know not to hit you again.
As your Mother
I realize that I cant fight all your battles,
but because I am your mother
I can teach you strength
by first teaching you to love yourself enough
to get up when youre knocked down.
As your Mother
I must teach you to love everyone,
but realize that you cannot save the whole world,
only a portion of it.
As your Mother
I must teach you to be aware of negative people,
but dont take ownership of their pain.
As your Mother
I must teach you to be a good parent
so that my grandchildren will be good people.
Always know that even though I wont be there
to shield you from all heartaches, hits and pains,
Ive taught you that they are a part of life
and how they too, shall pass.
I had to teach you these things
because I am your Mother.
ｩBrenda Perryman, 2001
Posted by: Brenda Perryman on April 8, 2006 17:19
Beautiful poem Brenda
It really captures what a gut wrentching and heart breaking and spirit soaring adventure motherhood can be.
I do feel very blessed to have the chance to be with my kids full-time. But I am also well aware that those moms who aren't "stay-at-home" ones, are equally as dedicated to their offspring.
Posted by: meredith on April 8, 2006 18:30
Beautiful poem Brenda
It really captures what a gut wrenching and heart breaking and spirit soaring adventure motherhood can be.
I do feel very blessed to have the chance to be with my kids full-time. But I am also well aware that those moms who aren't "stay-at-home" ones, are equally as dedicated to their offspring.
Posted by: meredith on April 8, 2006 18:32