It has been said that the world needs fathers because lack of father involvement in the life of children causes many of the problems witnessed in society – violent crime, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide,etcetera.
Whereas the above statement is true, mothers too play a crucial role in families. Men, or husbands, will find it very difficult to fulfill their leadership role in families if women were absent.
I remember a time my wife was away for two or three weeks. During that time, my world turned upside down. In the morning, I could not find the clothes I wanted to put on. In the evening, I could not find some utensils when I wanted to cook. This made me to realize how important a wife or mother is.
What roles does a mother play in the family? The role of mothers begin with giving birth. They are the only ones who can play that role. However important men are, they cannot play that role. Maybe the place of man in the family set-up has been overated!
After giving birth, the mother supports the father by validating his actions. She is the first supporter of the father. If every other person denounces the father, the mother is expected to stand by her man. The wisest man who ever lived on earth, King Solomon, said in Proverbs 12:4, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones”. This support creates harmony in the home.
The mother provides a nurturing and caring environment for the family. Women by nature are caring and they teach their children how to show compassion to others. That is why Proverbs 31:21 says, “When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet”. She is able to foresee what the needs of the family are and provide what is needed.
The mother helps to maintain social networks in the community. Proverbs 31:20 says, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy”. Women by nature know how to socialize. When a family moves into a new neighborhood, it is most likely that it is the wife who will know who the neighbors are before the husband. Women have that thing in them that helps them to start a conversation better than men.
Women are homemakers by nature. In the ancient days, women stayed at home to take care of their families. Only men were supposed to go out and work. Men were known as providers for their families. This arrangement has only changed in recent years. King Lemuel knew this and said in Proverbs 31:27: “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”. She is a homemaker and not a gossiper.
Finally, we see that mothers teach children how to be intimate and build relationships. They do this by showing love to their newly born children. Mothers feed, clothe and clean their babies because they love them.
The greatest impact of the mother in the life of the child happens between ages one to six. Their presence means the child grows up to be industrious while their absence means the child grows up with feelings of inferiority.
The mother’s presence in the life of a child at this stage means the child will grow up and learn to be autonomous, while the absence of the mother means the child will grow up uncertain of what is expected or him or her.
The mother’s presence in the life of a child at this period means the child will learn how to trust those around him or her, while the absence of the mother at this time means the child will grow up and not know how to trust people.
The mother lays the foundation for the life of the child. We all know that when we lay the right foundation in anything that we are doing, that thing will stand the test of time.
This day I salute all mothers who are bringing up children and who are laying a great foundation by being present in the lives of their children.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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