Motherhood shared
We so often reflect upon and discuss the wonderfully unique journeys of our children. We unpack; brain development, parenting beliefs and values, ways to feed and nourish our children, education and toiletting. Lets face it, every facet of child rearing is broken down, dissected and discussed.
However, we spend far less time, unpacking the journey of 'motherhood' and discussing what can really make or break that experience for some woman. There is definitely ample judgement of mothers however, there is little observation and discussion regarding what can truely influence the 'motherhood' experience.
There are so many different 'how to" books available which are happy to dictate what a mother "should do" in order to "best raise" a child. There are also many parenting magazines which are quick to tell us what we must consume in order to be successful at motherhood and again, 'best raise' our children. There are funny memes on social media and virtual support groups to belong to however, I do not believe that there is enough authentic reflection and discussion regarding the true and holistic needs of mothers during such a sacred time in life-from pregnancy onwards.
Based on my own motherhood journey, the mothers I share life with and, through observations made as an educator, I believe that there are substantial parallels that we can draw between the identified needs of our beautiful developing children and the those of our beautiful mothers as they travel the challenging, rewarding and spiritual journey of motherhood. Yet, while our children become the central focus of our lives with their journeys celebrated and discussed, the wellbeing of our mothers is sadly brushed past.
I believe the wellbeing of a mother and the nature of her experience in her own unique journey of motherhood, is, like with our young children, based largely, yet not entirely, upon the strength of the connections she shares with the important people in her life-whom ever these may be.
I believe in the quality of these connections over the number of connections we make. Quality, referring to the nature of those connections and how we maintain them. In addition to the quality of these connections, as an individual, we must know that we have the right to make mature choices about who we connect with. We do not need to maintain connections that are toxic or stressful. Acknowledgement over how relationships change due to changing circumstances and an acceptance of how motherhood may shift our perceptions and needs is also a healthy realisation.
In my motherhood journey, I am blessed with a loving husband who makes me laugh. I am lucky to have his support, friendship and grounding.
I am also blessed with the close relationships I share with my five amazing sisters. Three of which are my birth sisters and two, being my sisters in-law. Outside of the 'family' definition of sisterhood, I also have the blessings of sharing my own motherhood journey with a handful of sisters in life. Some I have grown up with and some I have met since becoming a mother myself. Most of these women are navigating their own motherhood journeys however, some are not.
My wellbeing and my experience in motherhood has been greatly enriched by knowing, that despite what ever challenge I am faced with or what ever beautiful moment I want to share, I know that I can share it with any of these wonderful women who have as much love and respect for my children as they have for their own and, who love me.
Because I share my life and motherhood journey with a handful of amazing women and because I believe in the importance of maintaining the connections that we share, I always feel supported and never alone. I admire and respect these women and through our connections, feel a sense of sharing the emotional load of motherhood. I am also surrounded by brilliant role models. The most supportive and least intrusive form of advice comes through role modelling and in the context of these loving and rich connections. There is so much support and guidance when motherhood is shared.
My own mother was brilliant. I am grounded by a wholesome and loving childhood which I endeavour to provide for my own children. I really have something to strive towards. Through my connection with my Mum, I know that my role as a mother is one of deep importance and purpose. Despite deeply missing the connection I shared with my Mum, I am still guided by her. My husband's Mum is also a very admirable woman and has raised three phenomenal people, a testament to her strength and love. I also feel connected to my Grandmothers, and allow the connection I shared with them to enrich how I experience motherhood. I have strong and loving Aunty's and brilliant cousins. All of whom I am able to share my motherhood journey with.
My children are blessed with fantastic uncles, a Poppa and a Grandad however, for my personal wellbeing as a mother, I rely greatly upon the guidance and support of the women I have spoken of. A motherhood shared is empowering, enriching and a complete saviour at times.
We strive to surround our children with loving and nurturing 'important people'. It makes sense to value and nurture our own connections with the important people in our lives, allowing connections that nurture and feed our own souls so that we feel supported and fuelled in the sacred journey of motherhood.
Who do you share your motherhood journey with? What other factors do you believe, attribute to the holistic wellbeing of mothers in the thick of raising children?
However, we spend far less time, unpacking the journey of 'motherhood' and discussing what can really make or break that experience for some woman. There is definitely ample judgement of mothers however, there is little observation and discussion regarding what can truely influence the 'motherhood' experience.
There are so many different 'how to" books available which are happy to dictate what a mother "should do" in order to "best raise" a child. There are also many parenting magazines which are quick to tell us what we must consume in order to be successful at motherhood and again, 'best raise' our children. There are funny memes on social media and virtual support groups to belong to however, I do not believe that there is enough authentic reflection and discussion regarding the true and holistic needs of mothers during such a sacred time in life-from pregnancy onwards.
Based on my own motherhood journey, the mothers I share life with and, through observations made as an educator, I believe that there are substantial parallels that we can draw between the identified needs of our beautiful developing children and the those of our beautiful mothers as they travel the challenging, rewarding and spiritual journey of motherhood. Yet, while our children become the central focus of our lives with their journeys celebrated and discussed, the wellbeing of our mothers is sadly brushed past.
I believe the wellbeing of a mother and the nature of her experience in her own unique journey of motherhood, is, like with our young children, based largely, yet not entirely, upon the strength of the connections she shares with the important people in her life-whom ever these may be.
I believe in the quality of these connections over the number of connections we make. Quality, referring to the nature of those connections and how we maintain them. In addition to the quality of these connections, as an individual, we must know that we have the right to make mature choices about who we connect with. We do not need to maintain connections that are toxic or stressful. Acknowledgement over how relationships change due to changing circumstances and an acceptance of how motherhood may shift our perceptions and needs is also a healthy realisation.
In my motherhood journey, I am blessed with a loving husband who makes me laugh. I am lucky to have his support, friendship and grounding.
I am also blessed with the close relationships I share with my five amazing sisters. Three of which are my birth sisters and two, being my sisters in-law. Outside of the 'family' definition of sisterhood, I also have the blessings of sharing my own motherhood journey with a handful of sisters in life. Some I have grown up with and some I have met since becoming a mother myself. Most of these women are navigating their own motherhood journeys however, some are not.
My wellbeing and my experience in motherhood has been greatly enriched by knowing, that despite what ever challenge I am faced with or what ever beautiful moment I want to share, I know that I can share it with any of these wonderful women who have as much love and respect for my children as they have for their own and, who love me.
Because I share my life and motherhood journey with a handful of amazing women and because I believe in the importance of maintaining the connections that we share, I always feel supported and never alone. I admire and respect these women and through our connections, feel a sense of sharing the emotional load of motherhood. I am also surrounded by brilliant role models. The most supportive and least intrusive form of advice comes through role modelling and in the context of these loving and rich connections. There is so much support and guidance when motherhood is shared.
My own mother was brilliant. I am grounded by a wholesome and loving childhood which I endeavour to provide for my own children. I really have something to strive towards. Through my connection with my Mum, I know that my role as a mother is one of deep importance and purpose. Despite deeply missing the connection I shared with my Mum, I am still guided by her. My husband's Mum is also a very admirable woman and has raised three phenomenal people, a testament to her strength and love. I also feel connected to my Grandmothers, and allow the connection I shared with them to enrich how I experience motherhood. I have strong and loving Aunty's and brilliant cousins. All of whom I am able to share my motherhood journey with.
My children are blessed with fantastic uncles, a Poppa and a Grandad however, for my personal wellbeing as a mother, I rely greatly upon the guidance and support of the women I have spoken of. A motherhood shared is empowering, enriching and a complete saviour at times.
We strive to surround our children with loving and nurturing 'important people'. It makes sense to value and nurture our own connections with the important people in our lives, allowing connections that nurture and feed our own souls so that we feel supported and fuelled in the sacred journey of motherhood.
Who do you share your motherhood journey with? What other factors do you believe, attribute to the holistic wellbeing of mothers in the thick of raising children?
Thank you Rochelle for letting me steal some of your photos. I haven't included everyone here but these are a few photos of some of the brilliant women I share my journey of motherhood with, including Rochelle who is hiding behind the camera. I also popped in a photo of the very important Hubby.
Comments
Post a Comment