As we approach Mother’s Day I have been thinking about the qualities surrounding motherhood and its changing concept in today’s society, with the mother role being undertaken by others as well as a birth mother, e.g. grandparents, fathers, step parents etc.
Celebrating the role of mothers dates back to the celebration of mother Goddesses in Greek and Roman times. This evolved over the years to become a day when families came together at the church nearest to their home, known as the ‘Mother Church’.
Children from the age of ten were often in roles as apprentices and domestic servants, these young people would be given a holiday to join their Mothers in a day of celebration. The Sunday would involve a walk to the church, often gathering wild flowers as a gift to mothers on their journey, culminating in a meal, including simnel cake.
The role of ‘mother’ has changed dramatically since the publication of a book entitled ‘The Mother and her child’. Published in 1916 it advised handling babies as little as possible, asserting that crying was crucial for lung development.
I am often cited as quoting the Nolan Principles of public life. Principles that govern how Councillors behave, I do this unashamedly as I feel these principles fit both my role and my everyday life, and no role better than the role of ‘motherhood’ in any of its guises.
‘Selflessness’ is a term that fits motherhood without a doubt. In the role, the cargiver is selfless in ensuring a child, young person and adult ‘child’ is considered without the need for reward, caring for its own sake.
Integrity, Openness, Objectivity and Honesty are necessities for any role model in a person’s development. Honesty may not always be easy but anyone’s development requires the knowledge that someone will tell them the truth, even when it is painful.
Accountability and Leadership apply to a caregivers role in ensuring an individual develops within a framework of accepting responsibility for one’s actions as well as leading by example.