A Mother's Role

Being a mother of 3 young and very active sons a lot of you will agree with me that it can get frustrating at times. Sometimes, we get to wonder what extra it is that the fathers do to make their children be so quick to obey them while we mothers have to talk scold and threaten before we get the same result.

When I was growing up, I remember my mother always complaining that we don’t go to our Dad for our requests the way we come to her and I have grown up asking the same questions to my kids. 

 Mothers become like friends to their kids especially when they are really younger. Yes, I want to be the friend they are free to talk to about their worries, fears, joys, the things that get them excited or confused. At the same time, I also want them to realize my authority as their mother and respect that. There should be a balance.

I find myself so many times worrying about it and committing their spirits to God and asking Him to mold them right. One of the best gifts a child can have is a godly mother.

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•  At an early age, your kids should be taught to pray, taught even in the simplest words about the word of God.

• Teach them the importance of forgiveness to apologise when they do wrong and that being truly sorry would yield forgiveness. You can be a good example, I remember the day I came to pick my kids from school and my son complained that I came late. I had to say that I am sorry and make sure my apology was accepted before I started driving home. Children can be impressionable, they learn from people around them.

•  “Train up a child in the way he should go…..” Prov 22:6. No matter how young, try to give them the basic training. Greeting their elders, saying “Thank you”, “I am sorry”, “Excuse me” "Please" table manners tidying up after themselves….. A point will come when you will not have to remind them anymore.Just like conditioning their memory, it will become a habit. Sometimes my husband will be like “They are young, now” or “They are acting their age”. But I am not trying to take away their childhood I just want to start early.

•  Punishment and Reward Heb 12:6-11. Correction has its benefits. I am not heartless, I may be a little strict. If my kid does something wrong, I scold and correct. If they do not show remorse ie like “…is it not Mummy? After talking she will leave us alone…” I take away something they like if they ask why, I use the opportunity to explain that there should be punishment for wrong- that is life. In the same way, I try to reward good. Kids are happy and try to put in extra effort if they know you are happy and are proud of them. Rewarding them encourages them to do more.

• Always pray for your kids. It is your responsibility. Speak God’s word, Prophesy upon their lives. God has put you in the position to do so and He will honour your word.

In all things….it is not by power nor by might, but by the grace of God. He will raise them in the right way, we just have to do our little part and hand over the rest to God.

-Sincerely, Cika!