From the very beginning, they choose the daddy. They provide the gestational environment which can, in a matter of moments, form the biological pathway the child will be on for life. They arrange the environment the baby will live in which, even if not ideal, is the best they can provide with the materials available. They provide the first medical screening, deciding if the child needs to see a doctor. They see that all biologic needs are met from intake of food, air and water, to the expulsion of various and sundry bodily fluids.
They usher the child into learning, first with the exploration of their ever expanding world, then on through public school or lessons at home at the kitchen table. They support the development of self esteem by providing positive feedback when appropriate and constructive feedback when the child’s effort is not his or her best. They draw the boundary lines for what is acceptable and what is not. They find the teachers to grow and develop the child’s interests and make sure the child gets to the lessons.
They will sacrifice their time to sit through countless hours of concerts, plays, games, recitals parent/teacher conferences and G-rated movies with the patience of Job. hey will listen to their child sob about things that they know, in the big picture, don’t amount to a hill of beans, yet still offer their sympathy and love. They can usually tell, just by looking at them, whether or not their child is lying. One look from mom can make a child beam or cringe.
And when these forces of nature gather their powers together to bring out of control bureaucracies back in line, you can bet they are going to do it.
Happy Mother’s Day to all our reader moms!
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