Mother's Day 2007
Donna Davis
Today’s mothers are… biological, step, foster, adoptive, single and married, and indeed we are also den mothers and soccer moms. And while we’re also defined as working moms and stay-at-home moms, I have yet to meet a mom that wasn’t working!... I also think that motherhood is not only the toughest job on earth, but the one that comes with the most rewards.
As a verb, mother means, to “look after kindly and protectively, sometimes excessively so.” That excess has even earned us the new titles of “helicopter parents.”
So how do we know when it’s time to step up and do for our children or time to step back and give them space to fly (or stumble) on their own… especially in the times in which we live?
Consider these facts about our children and their peers:
- Today less than 25% of American children live with their married biological parents.
- The average American household has more televisions than people, spends more than 8 hours in front of television each day, and has an average of 104 channels to choose from, most of which you wouldn’t want your young children watching.
- Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of NO screen time for babies before they’re 2 years old – more than 50% of infants now have TVs in their rooms!
- Today more children are dying from accidental overdose – from PRESCRIPTION drugs they get from their PARENTS cabinets.
- On average, parents only spend minutes of one on one time per child in their home each day.
- 30% of today’s families rarely eat meals with their children or teens during an average week yet research tells us that kids who eat family meals – are less likely to do drugs, make better grades, delay sex.
- Less than half of American parents studied could name the children on THEIR STREET.
But there’s also good news…
Kids (even adolescents) DO still look to their parents as the most important source of information in their life. They still report that they want to spend time with and to talk with their parents.
I encourage you to BE INVOLVED WITH your children – I know it’s hard, because we’re busy…
And, talk to your children. They really are listening. And equally important, LISTEN to what they have to say.
· Our children are like little mirrors… reflecting ourselves back at us
· AND they’re sharing very important messages about what’s going on around them.
As you go out today to celebrate mothers, consider all the mothers in your life whether they birthed you, raised you, motivated you, scolded you and most important loved you. And remember, of course, motherhood is a two-way street. Women, consider the children in your life, whether they live with you or are part of yours and/or your children’s lives and perhaps need a little extra “Mom” in their life. There are usually two or three calls I get on Mother’s Day from children I didn’t birth. I am so grateful that God put them in my life and hope I made a difference in theirs.
When we lost my husband’s mother earlier this year, our son was concerned about his dad. As he reminded me, “Mom you know, nobody loves and protects her cubs like a mom.” As HIS mother, I was so honored and humbled that he felt that way. While I have been fortunate to have experienced the unconditional love of motherhood, how blessed are we to know the unconditional love of God.
Don’t forget to take the time to pray: Our children will give us plenty of reason! And pray for and with your children.
I’d like to close with a prayer. Corinthians 13:4 – most think of it as a prayer we hear at weddings…but I think it’s very appropriate in expressing the love of a parent as well.
“Love is patient; love is kind
and envies no one.
Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance.
In a word, there are three things
that last forever: faith, hope, and love;
but the greatest of them all is love.”
Keep the faith, have hope, and share the love.
Happy Mother’s Day.