Andersons Creek Primary School Newsletter

Chaplain's Corner

Hi Everyone,

Not everyone has a mother- but everyone has someone who is like a mum to them. Just think about all the mother figures in our lives- carers, grans, aunties and sisters.

I know some very special people who take on that role when due to many circumstances a mother is not able to be there for their child.

 

I can think of a lady in her 70s at the time, whom I met at the Royal Children’s Hospital a number of years ago when I was involved with the hospital Chaplains.  Her very severely disabled foster ‘daughter’, at the age of 10 was still at the developmental stage of a young baby or early toddler.  This lady and her husband fostered her from newborn and she was not expected to live beyond toddlerhood.  But with love and care, and overcoming numerous health difficulties, she made it to at least 10 and had the most beautiful smile.

That’s just one example of someone BEING LIKE A MOTHER! 

 

8 WAYS TO BE A GOOD MOTHER INSTEAD OF A PERFECT ONE

I think it’s fair to say that each one of us enters motherhood with a set of beliefs or

ions about what it means to be a good mother. We develop these beliefs from the pressure of our communities and society as a whole, the experiences with our own parents,

 and through the expectations of friends, family, and media. These outside influences can have so much power and influence over us that when we finally do become mothers ourselves, it is difficult to listen to our own ideas of what this “good mum” thing is all about.

So difficult, in fact, that anxiety, guilt, depression, and overwhelming emotion can latch on like crazy to our new identity.

The should              The shouldn’ts           The always           The nevers             The perfection

 

BUT A GOOD MOTHER, OFTEN CALLED A ‘GOOD ENOUGH MUM’, DOES HER BEST TO:

  1. Teach her child how to live life to the fullest
  2. Be there for her children when they need her
  3. Teach her child the importance of self-worth
  4. Provide food, shelter, and love
  5. Be a good example to her children
  6. Make time to have fun with her kids
  7. Allow room for her children to make mistakes and learn from them
  8. Teach her children how to love unconditionally

No shoulds, shouldn’ts, always’, or nevers.  No perfection.

 

I encourage you to ask yourselves what is it that you believe goes into being a “good enough” mum to your kids and to write down your own list. Take note whether or not you are noting ideas that are truly yours or whether they are someone else’s, or your assumptions of someone else’s.

My guess is that each of you is most certainly being a good mother or mother figure already…

So to all mothers, carers, grandparents aunts and sisters ……………………… .HAVE A VERY HAPPY ‘MOTHERS’ DAY, 

 

 To those who are grieving the loss of their mother and/or special mother figure, may treasured memories bring a smile this Mothers’ Day.

            Take care & stay well

      Robyn Mulholland (School Chaplain) 

                                                robyn.mulholland@education.vic.gov.au