As we close out the month of February, we want to focus on the unique and exceptional love of a mother. A mother’s love shapes the world around them and can mold the lives of the children they raise.
The way a mother loves her children can also have a direct impact on her own personal growth and development as well as the relationship she has with her husband. Finding value in mothering children is an individual and unique process, and the teaching and guidance from a mother can have a lasting ripple effect on generations to come.
It is evident, even from the beginning of a pregnancy, that a mother’s love is like no other love. While there are certainly greater loves that come from God, and even possibly in a marriage; motherly love is unique.
So what does a mother’s love look like exactly?
- It can be both gentle and strong simultaneously
- It can be quiet yet boisterous at once
- It can be agreeable and persistent in one breath
- It can be protective yet vulnerable all together
- It can be humble while also being insistent
Every attribute above can be influential on a child. If driven by unconditional love- the outcome can make a child. If driven by conditional love- the outcome can break a child.
Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself. Mothers influence through patience, guidance, support and discipline; each one producing the most positive impressions when it’s motivated by healthy love.
Raising young children can often test a mom and cause her to feel extremely overwhelmed. It may feel like some days you are failing as a mother; it may find you lonely, hopeless and unsure of your abilities all together. But when you lead with love and your intentions are pure, the results will be positive and the love you have for your children will come through in their growth and the way they love others as they become older.
Parenting takes time and energy and can often drain a mother to the point where she may feel like throwing in the towel. Women often forget that they must take care of themselves before they can effectively take care of their children. Keeping in mind the old adage of making sure you supply yourself with oxygen on an airplane before helping someone else rings true in parenting as well.
Self Care
It is so important for a mother to love herself to be able to love her children fully and completely. Finding ways to rest, renew, and recuperate are crucial for being the best mom you can be. Below are some great tips on how you can do this to make sure that you can mother from a safe place of unconditional and relentless love; even when things feel difficult.
- Rest
Resting is so important for mothers. It allows your hormones to rebalance, boosts your immune system, can help restore your patience, resets your brain health and can realign your entire system. On top of these internal things that take place, rest can also help with weight loss, mood enhancement, memory and sexual health. When a mother feels good all the way around; she is able to feel good in how she mothers and can love to the best of her ability.
- Renew
When a mother learns to renew herself in body, mind, and spirit she will find that she is able to wake up refreshed and view each day with hope and anticipation. Reading her bible, taking time to pray and building herself up however she needs to be built up can give her the ability to pour herself into her children; with the love and support they need.
- Rejuvenate
Being able to take care of yourself and rejuvenate from the stressors that can often come with being a wife, mom, employee, and friend is so important to being able to love those around you. Find things that you enjoy and make it a priority to take time for you to go do those things. Exercise allows some women to decompress while others enjoy a massage or a pedicure. Some women just need to get away by going to the grocery alone or having a date night with dad. Find what you need to fill up your tank; so you can love the way every mother wants to love.
Wrap Up
While the love of a mother can encompass so many things in the lives of their children, a mother can’t love the way she wants unless she first loves herself.
If you need help in learning the importance of a mother’s love or how to take care of yourself please contact the PLC Health Clinic at 419-238-9177 or www.plchealthclinic.org. Our services can help you learn to rest, renew and rejuvenate as a mother and love your child and yourself with ease.
*Sources available upon request
