On the eve of Mother’s Day, I thought it appropriate to share some thoughts. Having worked with hundreds of mothers over the years, I can say I have likely worked with the full spectrum. Thinking just now about some of them brings back memories. I can say that some have had it pretty good and others borderline tragic. First encounters with buyers and sellers usually gives me a pretty good idea about their relationships. Most of the time I find either the wife being dominate or the husband being in control. Not too often do I find a true balance.
I’m not sure if it’s a sign of the times, but I do find more and more husbands being reserved and a bit aloof regarding the daily workings of family life. They have their own activities which they cultivate either by themselves or with friends. They even choose to exercise away from home at local fitness clubs. With the husbands being out of the home longer, we find the burden of child rearing left more to the working mother. This places more stress with the husband/wife relationship due to the wife feeling as though she has to fill more of the void of parenting herself. I’ve spoken before about how our corporate world is creating narcissistic behavior in the workplace. Pressure to be at the top irregardless of how it comes about, can’t help but be carried into the home life. I am also seeing more grandparents rearing grandchildren due to a crisis of one kind or another within the family.
As we all know, the number of single mothers are at an all time high. Most of them are young, and likely staying financially afloat at the mercy of State or Federal agencies. We can’t help but admire any of those women who have gone above and beyond what was expected of them to grow their children into whole adults. I heard someone speak today about truly wishing as well as wanting the best for mothers who are struggling with rearing their children. Too many of us tend to shun those women who appear to have created their own problems by allowing themselves to become single mothers. They must be pulled back into the mainstream along with their children so that they regain a sense of self-worth.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish every mother a most delightful and memorable Mother’s Day.
