and the Joy...

17/1/2018

Barbie has been thinking a lot about the negative emotions that can sometimes be associated with the overwhelming expectations of twenty-first century mothering and to be honest it's been getting her down a wee bit.

This week then it was a lovely change to be able to write about the joy. Today she wrote this....

"For me, becoming a mother has been a gift greater than I could ever have imagined.
It has been the source of immense joy and the origin of an unconditional love more intense and profound than I thought I was ever capable of or would ever know.

Watching my two children, so different from each other and us and yet rooted in the same earth grow and mature and thrive has been a huge privilege and a colossal source of pride. Of all that I have achieved, I would regard becoming and being a mother as my life’s work because as one of the participants in the research Marina said; “our children are our masterpieces”.

What aspects of mothering bring you joy?

8 Comments

Vicky duckworth

17/1/2018 08:47:40 pm

Motherhood has brought me great joy but it has been a struggle. Balancing work and morherhood when they were tiny challenging .... but we grow and we learn.
My daughters are and have been the centre of our life .... when friends went on weekends abroad with the girls ... I'd think I'd rather we all ... with my daughters ... do something as a family. Morherhood is a constant xhallenge ... I have brought them up to be free spirits ... with that comes a voice where they argue back, have their views and view mw as an equal. This is great ... they are empowered as I woud have liked more of at their age ... but a bit more 'yes mym' would make life easier. And yet ... I don't want to crush their spirit ...they must follow their own paths ... and that is what motherhood has taught me. We give birth to our children, but they are their own people and the live we have fir them they carry and too much is never enough. Love and care and patience ... that's motherhood ....

Marion

17/1/2018 10:45:45 pm

From the early days I remember experincing joy when my daughter first starting focusing on my face whilst I was breastfeeding, the non verbal communication, those first smiles, eating her first solid food. Spending time with our extended family and seeing the relationships form with her Dad, Grandparents, Aunts and Cousins (and close family friends) was joyful and to see the love and support within these relationships. During the school days it was lovely to see her enjoying friendships and experience knowledge. Now Lucy is independent and enjoying life in London with her boyfriends and friends and her continued relationships with family and close friends. I feel proud that she has gained life's experiences from these relationships, her work experiences which have helped to grow into a young independent young women.

Sue

17/1/2018 10:53:22 pm

The best joy I have with my girls is when we all jump in the car and chase the sunset. We sing and we laugh and I just love those carefree moments. I feel so connected with them at these times and love that despite all the technology, they, like me, can stand in awe of the beauty of nature.

Wendy

18/1/2018 09:03:52 am

Joy - the wonderful 6 grandchildren that they have given me...
When they come to me for advice...
Being there for me...

Donna

18/1/2018 07:53:45 pm

Soooo much joy! Snuggles, giggles, kisses, holding hands, when my child shows kindness to others, when my child is funny, simply put when my child says (because we have a mouse!) ‘ I love you the mouse-est’
I am so lucky that my child wants to spend time with me and we have a strong bond

Marina

26/1/2018 04:54:51 pm

Endless plethora of joy in all shapes and sizes Tear of joy and laughter throughout their lives date and the promise of so much more to come. The joy they are realising their dreams and the joy of seeing them develop into amazing young adults with beautiful morals and values My joy is the joy they bring to the world and everyone they connect with x

Adele

26/1/2018 10:20:03 pm

A sense of awe that my body could produce tiny little humans, followed by fear on how I would keep them safe! However, now they are teenagers who answer back and eat me out of house and home, I am counting the year's till they reach adulthood :-)

Elaine link

27/1/2018 08:39:17 am

It is impossible to put into words the joy my children have brought me. Having 7 children and 3 grandchildren has brought so much love and laughter but also many challenges. They are all so different but every one is entwined in my heart. My greatest joy is in the love they have for each other. When I see that; I know I have done a good job. Happy Mothering.

and the Joy...

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