When you reflect on your role as a mother and what that means, it is a difficult thing to define. Motherhood is so many things; caring for, supporting and protecting our children is at the core of everything else that we do on a daily basis. For me, motherhood has changed my life completely and so much for the better. It has made me a better person; less selfish and more mindful of others. I am not the perfect mother, but I do a good job and whilst I sometimes get cross and moan about my children, I also remind myself regularly that I am blessed to have four amazing children and that I am lucky to be a mother.
“Mothers are some of the world’s most powerful people. They feed us, teach us and protect us. Most of all, they love us – unconditionally.” Oxfam UK
The importance of motherhood is a subject that Oxfam want to celebrate this year with their Mother Appeal and they asked me to reflect on the importance and meaning of motherhood and asked me to share a piece of advice on motherhood that had helped shape my outlook on parenting. I thought long and hard about this and thought back to when I had just given birth to the teen, I was young and very naive, and there was a lovely lady in the hospital bed next to me who had just given birth but already had six children of varying ages. I was completely overwhelmed by the whole experience of having my first child and sensing my ‘rabbit in the headlights’ expression, she patted my arm and told me that being a mum wasn’t easy, it was the worst paid job in the world, one of the hardest and but by far the most rewarding and whatever happened just enjoy it.
At the time, I’m not sure I really wanted to hear that advice, but she was so right and I do enjoy it. I try to make the most of every minute of being a mum and the amazing way in which having children makes every single day completely different.
Oxfam’s Mother Appeal started earlier this year and they are hoping to raise awareness of the work they are doing to try and empower those in need to lift themselves out of poverty and strife; something that has always been at the core of Oxfam’s work. In countries like Sri Lanka, mothers have struggled for years to raise their children amidst years of conflict. Many have lost loved ones and had their families or communities ripped apart: but through raising awareness and ultimately raising funds, Oxfam can help people begin to rebuild their lives.
By visiting Oxfam’s website, you can find out about the Mother Appeal and watch inspiring videos about women around the world who have improved their lives and the lives of their families with Oxfam’s help. There are also lots of ways that you can get involved in helping Oxfam with this appeal, it only takes a couple of minutes to go and take a look.
