My wife recently shared an article on twitter titled “How to build children’s resilience, and your own, amid coronavirus unknowns.” The author of the article, Carolyn FitzGerald summarized that “parents can build kids’ resiliency by focusing on what’s going well, maintaining some predictability and order, modelling belief in their own abilities and caring for themselves.” Profound! Carolyn’s article is relevant because mothers especially, need to care for themselves because it can be stressful being a mum during this COVID-19 era.
Mums are learning to maneuver balancing working remotely, child-minding, running a household and, for many with school-aged children, taking on the role of primary teacher with limited access to essential resources. This role of a formal teacher has been daunting for a number of mothers.
However, from time immemorial, mothers have been incredible informal teachers. Think about what your mum taught you while you were growing up… In the Bible we read about King Agur and King Lemuel both believed to be from the Kingdom of Massa in northern Arabia. They both received wise teachings from their mother.
Abraham Lincoln could also have been thinking about the Bible-based teachings delivered to him by his mother when he said “no man is poor who has a godly mother.” So as we think about how many mothers today may not be capable to teach school curriculum like trained teachers, let’s still salute them for being our amazing real teachers.
“When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” Scripture
Happy Mother’s Day!