A Tribute to Mothers

Being a mother in today’s society isn’t as easy as it seems.  I feel the political nature of being a mother alone is enough to put most people at a loss.  We are in a day and age when staying home can lead to feeling guilty over leaving your career and ability to make money behind.  On the other hand, not staying home with your family fosters the feelings of guilt that you are not the one raising your children.  No matter how you look at it one can easily become stressed just making this choice alone.  In our house we decided the best move would be for me to stay home with our children.  It took me a long time to lose that feeling of guilt over leaving my career and even now, pregnant  and with two others home, I still feel it from time to time.  However, I know it was the best choice we could make and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be home with them, guiding them through their initial years in life. 

One of the next choices to be made is whether or not to breast feed.  The pressures we feel by society to nurse is beyond ridiculous.  Each mother is doing what is right for her as well as her child.  Period.  Other than immediate family and doctors no one else should have a voice in the matter. 

There are so many other issues society feels they should have a choice in when it comes to YOUR child.  From when to start feeding solids, sleep training, how to discipline, when and how to potty train, educational choices, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Each presents opposing sides and/or constant second guessing that may come with it.

No matter what your family has decided to do you should not feel guilt over the choices you have made for your family.  The bottom line is we all want what is best for our children and our families.  With each small choice we focus on, discuss, and analyze we are showing our love and enabling our children to become the best people that they can.  This Mother’s Day I want to celebrate all the hard decisions we have to make for our families.  I want to applaud you and all your efforts to do what is best for your children.  We are raising the next generation and I know that they will be a caring, smart, energetic and eager group of individuals because of all the work we have done.    Thank you for being you and happy Mother’s Day!

Written By,

          Nicole Rowley