Let's Be There
For Our Kids
When I grew up in the
50's and 60's the majority of mothers stayed
home with their children and didn't baulk at
being there. We grew up with Mother always being
home when we got home from school, offering us
milk and cookies, supervising play and homework,
cooking dinner and folding up the laundry. If
she wasn't home when we got home it felt as if
the world had turned on its axis! Mom was our
world and we pitied the few kids at school whose
moms worked outside the home! Mom being there
was our anchor of security and it is one of the
memories of childhood I have where I felt happy
and secure.
Gradually I noticed
that more and more of my friend's moms were
working outside the home and I remember one
friend in particular who would go home from
school, set the dinner table, feed the dogs, and
play with me until her mother came home, which
was my sign to make tracks home because my
dinner would just about be ready. I would skip
home glad to know Mom was there bustling around
the kitchen or putting her day's laundry over
the airer in front of the fire. It was a routine
that was as predictable as the setting of the
sun.
How sad I felt for my
friend coming home to an empty house. She may
have her gold bracelets and an Osmond's fountain
pen that we couldn't afford- but young as I was,
I knew which side my bread was buttered on- and
as far as I was concerned, I would rather have
my Mom home than the pink and white bedroom
suite and carpeted bedroom my friend had all to
herself. I would gladly share mine with my
sister and have Mom where she was. I still feel
sad for her today- to my mind she had everything
except the most important- a stay at home
mother.
Today's world has
changed so much. Often mothers have to work to
provide for their children- and they do a
wonderful of job of balancing motherhood and
career. But an awful lot of women who could stay
home with their children have been hood-winked
into believing that they don't contribute to
society by staying home with their children!
They do not see the value in teaching and
training of their children, and they are blind
to the infinite blessing of nurturing to the
spirit of their babies by just being there- at
home!
Never before has
motherhood taken such a pounding by feminists,
employers, TV commercials urging us to consume
more and more whilst leaving the most precious
of things- our children, under the care of
daycare centers and people who give good care
but no real love to their children. How I long
for those mothers to catch a glimpse of their
children's spirits as they are left day after
day in the care of people who only see nurturing
these children as a job, not a priviledge. They
are being deprived of the security of knowing
that Mom is with them all day, in their own
home. They don't care that the house may not be
the biggest, they are just as warm in K-mart
clothes as designer labels, but they do care
that they are deprived of their Mom's time- they
just can't express it yet!
How do you know they
care that their Mom isn't there? you say- I know
because I have seen children woken up at early
hours from warm beds or cots to be bundled
hurriedly into cars to be taken to daycare! I
have seen their looks of bewilderment and seen
how long it takes for them to settle- granted
initially at first- fortunately for them,
children are amazingly resilient. And I have
seen the look of delight when they see Mom come
to pick them up, and I have seen too the little
head nuzzling into Mommy's neck soaking up the
scent of Mom and her body warmth! Heaven in a
child's world!
I have seen little ones
clinging to carers who are forbidden to attach
to one child for too long in case they bond-
thus making it difficult to cope with said child
if that carer isn't available on any given day!
I have seen misery inside those gaily painted
daycare centers where all care is taken- but no
bonding is allowed. What a stage setting for
bonding problems in the adult kids!
If a mother could just
see inside her child's heart for a moment she
would reconsider her position as a working
mother. She would stay at home with her children
and cut her cloth accordingly. Her education
would not be wasted for there is a great
challenge in balancing finances on one wage,
being a wise mother, cook, nutritionist, nurse,
play supervisor, educator and above all else,
companion and guide to little ones eager to
emulate her. She would find true happiness in
herself as she is less pressured for time, and
she would have the enjoyment of knowing that she
has made the most of the few precious years we
have with our children.
Our young
children want their Mommies, and our older
children are looking for something that is
lacking- something in their spirit that is
empty- the joy of being wanted- and nurtured and
loved. Before the car, the house, the clothes,
the toys. Before the holidays, the big Christmas
presents, the expensive lap-tops.
They are
hungry for love and bonding. Don't let that be
with strangers who offer them acceptance and
belonging as they ply them with drugs! You be
the one! You are the one they long for! Take
back the house keys and stop them being
latch-key kids before it's too late. Just be
there, Mom. Make a decision in faith that God
will provide for your needs- this is His Will
for all mothers- it is part of His great plan!
If you ever needed to be needed, it's now! Don't
think your boss can't get by without you- he
can, but your kids can't. Not if they are going
to be godly, loving, confident adults and
parents, they can't. But it starts with you.
Will you be a part of God's plan in motherhood?
Will you trust Him to meet your needs? But most
importantly, will you just be there for them?
©
Glenys Robyn Hicks
Phill 4:19
" But my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus"