Sunday is Mothers’ Day. I hope that if you’re reading this you’re planning a lovely day with a mum who loves you and whom you love back and/or a child who loves you and whom you love back.
For some, however, this day might be a source of grief or pain rather a source of joy. Some people may have grown up with a mother who was unable or unwilling to take good care of them, some may have lost their mother through death, adoption or being taken into care, and some may be grieving for a child that they desperately want to be a mother to but are unable to have. I feel for you.
I’d also like to give a big shout out to all the mums I know who are caring for children with additional needs of some kind. It can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task, but you get up and face it with strength, love and dignity and you add so much of value to your children’s lives.
There is tons of research in the field of psychology about the benefits that good parenting can bring, especially in the early years. Historically research focussed on the role of the mother, since mothers were more likely to be primary caregivers, but a strong bond with and attachment to any primary caregiver sets a child up for a secure and emotionally healthy upbringing. Research also shows that we don’t need to be perfect, just “good-enough”, so don’t beat yourself up if, like all of us, you don’t get it right all of the time.
Some kids may not be that lucky, so I’d like to draw your attention to a wonderful organisation here in WA. Have a look on Facebook for an organisation called “Care Bags – because children in care matter”. This group gathers donations to create bags for children taken into emergency care containing clothes, toiletries, toys and comfort items. Many of these children are taken into care with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and a carefully curated bag shows that someone does care about them. If you’re not sure what to get your mum, you could do worse than donate to this organisation in her name.
I’ll finish with a mention of my own dear mum, who loved me very much and whom I loved right back. She passed away a few weeks ago, on what was Mothers’ Day in the UK. I was so very lucky to have her and I wouldn’t be the person I am now without her. I’m so pleased that she got to meet her adored grandchild, whom I love and who loves me right back.