Caring for Kids

An Accredited Organization of Parents Anonymous ® Inc.

by Imelda Tatsch

May is for celebrating the spring flowers that the April showers have prepared for, although this year we may have to become deep sea divers to enjoy them.

May also reminds us to celebrate mothers -- if we really need to be reminded how special they are. Mail carriers work double-time to get the cards out for those that are not e-mailing them, and the florists consider this one of their busiest times of the year. If you are planning to take your mother out to lunch on Sunday and you don’t have reservations, lunch may turn in to dinner.

I thought my column would be a good place to honor mothers, too, and found a few quotes I’d like to share.

BBiology is the least of what makes someone a mother." ~ Oprah Winfrey

We know that many children are being raised by someone other than the woman that gave birth to them. Being a mother is so much more than having the ability to carry and deliver a child. A real mother is love in its truest form.

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers". ~ Jewish Proverb

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." ~ Rajneesh

This is so true. As a mother and grandmother I have to say no amount of books read or advice taken can really prepare you for that moment when you look into the eyes of your newborn and realize that your entire life has been transformed forever.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

I used to think that once my children were grown I could rest easy. I soon realized this is not possible. I still hurt when they hurt and worry if they are sick and pray that they never suffer hard times while knowing that they must in order to grow.

Mothers are one more thing… they are people so they make mistakes. Sometimes mothers make choices based on the information they have been given, but maybe that information was wrong. If you know a mom like this don’t judge her too harshly she is doing the best she can with what she has.

If I may I would like to dedicate this to three of the best moms I know. These are three special women that dedicate their lives to my six precious grandchildren.

Girls, you are doing a fantastic job and I am so proud of you. Love mom

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Imelda Tatsch is the Program Director at the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center (NETCAC) located in Winnsboro, and her columns appear in their bi-monthly newsletter. In "Caring for Kids" she offers support, insight, and a touch of humor for parents and grandparents. She is a trained facilitator for parenting classes.

She will be happy to answer questions about parenting and family relationships. You can e-mail her with your questions.