Love You, Mum

A mother makes a father, and a father makes a mother. Parenthood happens in unison. So, it goes without saying that Mums are incredibly priceless and vital, just as Dads are. So why don’t we value mothers more than we do?

Studies and anecdotal evidence show that mothers generally feel very under-appreciated. As men we must change that. Check out Dads4Kids‘ contribution to that change in the new “Love You Mum” Mother’s Day TV CSA below the next paragraph.

Mummy blogger Tekira wrote an article titled, “What to Do When You Don’t Feel Appreciated.” Sharing from her heart, Tekira says this:

“What do mothers want? We want love, time, and appreciation. Boy, do we want (or need) appreciation. Let me speak for me… there’s something about a simple thank you and hug from my family that makes the late nights, and stress and sacrifice so worth it. On the other hand, there’s something about the lack of appreciation that leaves an emptiness and heaviness on your heart.”

Tekira continues.

“Everyone wants to be appreciated and yet few people work as hard as mothers do, which is sometimes the most thankless job we know. Ironically, we work hard for some of the most unappreciative and selfish people in the world… our kids. What luck! Lol. Yet we love those boogers!

Just this morning, I heard the voice of one of my grandchildren say, “Mummy, can you come and wipe my bottom?” Within seconds another voice came from the bedroom, “Mummy can you help me get dressed.” The demand on mothers from their children and family members is incessant. It is especially so for young mothers. That’s why it is so important that we as fathers make a fuss about Mother’s Day. Yes, it is next Sunday, 9 May! Here is our 30-second version of the same ad with different music.

Mind you, there is there is a downside and upside to everything. Being a mother, just like being a father, has those moments of pure bliss and yet other moments of great challenge.

Mia Redrick had this to say in response to the question, ‘How does one feel after becoming a mother?’

“Becoming a mother makes you feel joyful, elated, empowered, and invincible.  You’ve just pushed another human being out of your body, and you’re unprepared for all the things that come so quickly.  While you’re in the hospital, you’ve got plenty of help, but when you go home, it’s all up to you.

It’s an exciting time because of the newness of the experience, but it is also a time of great uncertainty.  It’s the first time we realize that it’s possible to love someone so much.  Becoming a mother expands the parameters of what love looks like to you by opening up a part of your heart that you didn’t know existed.  This kind of love is entirely different than the love you have for your parents, spouse, etc.

Becoming a mother allows you to be able to love from a different part of who you are.  Being a new mum can come with feelings of inadequacy because there is a learning curve involved.  It’s important to be realistic about the transition to motherhood because the more realistic you are about it, the easier it is to get through those difficult things.

Suddenly you have experiences like having to stay awake all night to care for your baby, crying, colic, loss of prior freedoms, lack of help, and other adjustments.  Your life is entirely different, and you’re learning how to adapt and figure out everything during a time when you are so tired that you can’t see straight.

The important thing to realize is that you’re not alone.  All mothers experience the same process, and you will get through it.  You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to understand that it’s OK to make mistakes in motherhood.  All mothers make mistakes, and you will too.  Just don’t be judgmental with yourself.”

We as fathers need to learn from Mia’s mother wisdom.

“You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to understand that it’s OK to make mistakes in fatherhood.  All fathers make mistakes, and you will too.  Just don’t be judgmental with yourself.”

Lovework

Share the new Dads4Kids advert with your family and friends, but more importantly, let’s make a huge fuss about Mother’s Day.

Let’s make the hashtag #loveyoumum go viral. Our mothers and the mothers of our children need to feel appreciated. If we don’t appreciate them, who will?

Yours for Appreciating Mothers,
Warwick Marsh

PS: We had hoped to get out the Early Bird price and registration link for the Men’s Leadership Summit which will be held at Stanwell Tops in Sydney on 16-18 July 2021. The work involved in getting the Mother’s Day TV ads out, and a few other things besides, slowed us down. Apologies! Will definitely have the registration info out early next week.

[Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels]