by Pat Lamb (Author of: Let the Children Come; Children, Come to Me; When the Stars Fall Down; Widening the Church Doors to Teach the Narrow Way; My Thinking Book; Love is…) Books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble,www.patlambchristianauthor.com
Train up a child…
When Does Mom Stop Being Mom?
From the time a child is born, mom is the one always there to feed, clothe, snuggle, and protect the little baby. Dad is there also, but it is mom who is the closest at the early stage of life in a child. When the child cries, mom can usually even tell what kind of cry it is. Is it a hungry cry, a hurt cry, or an angry cry? Mom knows. The baby understands that mom is the one who will provide the basic needs. The baby’s world revolves around its mom and the baby thinks mom is the greatest thing in the world.
When the child starts to kindergarten, that child begins to discover that there are other people in the world who can make it happy. Many children have a special bond with their kindergarten teacher. At this point in life, mom begins to take back seat. Mom has to stand back a little as the child begins to discover the world. What mom hasn’t shed a tear or two as the child heads out the door for its first day of school?
As the child begins to approach puberty, mom suddenly becomes perhaps the dumbest person in the world. It is almost impossible to do anything right that pleases the son or daughter. This is a time when many moms suffer a great deal of pain as their child begins to reject them. Mom knows, however, that the child is “sprouting its own wings” and she patiently waits and watches, interjecting guidance wherever possible to help that child she still loves dearly, in spite of the fact that at times it seems that the child has no love for her.
When the young adult goes to college, that son or daughter begins to sense the meaning of homesickness. A reevaluation of mom and dad takes place and by the time the child is out of college, several hundred dollars later, the young adult is surprised at how much mom has learned in those four years! The young adult still feels, however, that mom is behind the times and is not fully able to understand current situations.
Through the adult years, the son or daughter gradually begins to understand that maybe mom wasn’t so far off base after all. Little by little, the adult starts seeking advice from the person once thought to be ignorant of all modern behavior. “I wonder what mom would do?” the adult thinks in tough situations. “I’ll talk it over with her.”
Finally, the time comes for mom’s life on this earth to end. Mom is no longer there to go to for advice. The son or daughter is now completely on its own unless dad is still around. When tough situations come along, the individual thinks, “I wonder what mom would have done. What would mom tell me to do? I wish I could talk it over with her.”
And in the coming years, the memory of mom’s words and actions still exist to help guide the child in decision-making.
When does mom stop being a mom? Never! The effects of her mothering are exhibited in grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her teachings are felt in generations to come. Mothering is a wonderful opportunity that knows no end.