Dear LPG, 

I know it is not always like this, but we mothers have a habit of turning into grandmothers and great-grandmothers — not to mention the fathers, granddads and totally unrelated carers who have, at one time or another, found themselves being a child’s principal carer. 

I think that most of us have recollections of what those days were like, no matter our age. They say that motherhood is the most difficult and profound lesson that a person can learn about unconditional love, but it is so easy to forget all the facets of the job. 

My poem today might bring back a few memories because, so often, time really does the job of helping us forget all the details. I believe that there often is a lot more pain involved than that which is experienced on the day of a child’s actual birth… 

THE THINGS THAT WE MOTHERS DO FOR LOVE 
Mothers: Give birth to children nine months after conception — sometimes earlier, sometimes later, sometimes by Caesarean section, but most often by natural birth, with a long or short labour and sometimes with the help of an epidural. 

Mothers: Usually have a very happy disposition; they are diligent, hardworking and easily adapted to motherhood. They enjoy breastfeeding but have the bottle ready just in case. There will be dozens of nappy changes, endless crying, tummy upsets and sleepless nights; gentle rubbing of babies’ backs to release trapped wind and attempts to break the dummy habit. 

Mothers: Good homemakers — washing, cooking, ironing, baking and cleaning the house; shopping for food, clothes and birthday treats; also regular visits to the park for a leisurely stroll or simply to meet and talk with other mums, passing the time with some adult conversation. They give love, nurture, correct, counsel, help, cuddle, smile, protect, pray and keep watch. There are regular or occasional visits to grandparents, or polite conversations on the telephone, Skype, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. It all depends on how up-to-date grandparents are these days and whether they are in or out of the country. General housekeeping, entertaining other children — mainly neighbours or school friends, or those from church — and making sure the programmes they are watching are child-friendly… 

Chauffeuring them to after-school activities during the week and at the weekend: trips to the leisure centre, the swimming pool and the local library to borrow that very special book, CDs or DVDs, or to attend an event that’s “just for kids”. Keeping an eye on the clock as the manager, secretary, cleaner and general timekeeper of the entire household. Giving special nursing care in times of colds, chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, teething, tummy bugs, aches, pains and strains. Rising early, alert to calls and shouts; pulling back the sheets; telling off the time-wasters in the house; preparing breakfast and doing the washing up at some point if there is no dishwasher. Perhaps having a tea break, or going off to a part-time job, or attending a course on how to be a good wife, parent, homemaker and mother; or learning how to deal with a rebellious teenage son or daughter; or seeing the GP or counsellor about fears and anxieties caused by stress. Or simply spending some time wondering which household chores should be done next — later, tomorrow or the day after — but heading for the gym instead… 


What a pity that just thinking about all the jobs that we mother’s have to do will never get the work done. All that we can do is buckle down and get on with it — or get a home help if one can afford it… 

©2017 by Beverly Gooden Wilson