To birth a baby is a function of nature and, although all women do not always participate in the natural birthing process, the only natural way to be born is to come through the womb of a woman. However, the process of raising a child from birth to adulthood or even to the point of becoming an independent, self-sufficient human being is a huge task with tremendous responsibility and even greater consequences. The role of parenting is formidable whether or not it is done in a partnership of two or more contributing parents or whether the child is raised in a single-parent home. Teaching a child the value of human life, including their own, must be the responsibility of the parent or the adult who is functioning as the parent in the child’s life whether the relationship between the parent and child is one of choice or compulsion.
Children need to be raised and while that responsibility should fall to the parent(s) of that child, it is often abdicated to “others” instead. Children are sometimes raised by relatives or by others who have no blood relation at all, and have chosen to be responsible to children they have not birthed. Children, regardless of birth, must be taught language, manners, ethics and integrity. They must be taught how to be contributing members of society and that there are indeed consequences for actions taken and for actions not taken. Children must be made to bear the consequences of their actions or their inaction. The task of teaching and disciplining children should fall to the adults who are functioning in the role of parent(s) and are fundamentally responsible for all of the above.
Mothers Day is a time to “shout out” all the Moms and those women who function as Moms even if they never birthed a baby. Having a baby and raising a child are two completely different things. Having birthed several children myself, I would never say having a baby is easy. It’s NOT! But raising a child is a far more difficult task. My Mother raised six children. She had the help and support of our father, too. I can speak for all of my siblings in expressing how grateful we are for that. However, I have to say we were raised during the time when many Moms stayed home and did their work/job at home. Given that Mom was with us most of the time, she did the yeomen’s share of the RAISING, as my father would gladly concede.
In looking at the bad behavior, poor manners, excuse making for a lack of moral integrity, and the normalization of deceitfulness and fraudulent representations rather than truth and ethics, it seems either people have not been “RAISED” or they have a willful disregard for the lessons they have been taught. Today, there’s little consequence for behavior that at one time would never be tolerated. One of the enduring effects of being “RAISED” is that you never forget the lessons you have been taught and you always want your Mother to be proud of you! I am thankful we were RAISED. Our Mother can rest assured that no matter what happens we always want to make her proud of us. Perhaps, we could all be better people and citizens if before we spoke or engaged in any action or plan, we asked ourselves, “What would Mamma think?” “Would my Mother be proud of what I am doing right now?” If you cannot answer unequivocally then perhaps you should hold that thought, or action until the choice you make will make your Mother PROUD! #HappyMothersDay
