Okay, I know, it’s kind of a “duh.” I mean, without our mothers, where would any of us be? Not here, I’ll tell you that 😉 .
My mother on Rebecca’s birthday
But other than that whole biological necessity thing, mothers are important—and not just to make sure that everyone is fed, rested, at school on time, and not without clean underwear.
In a couple minutes, I found a number of scientific studies confirming just how influential mothers are:
- If you, as the mother, are the food buyer and preparer, you controls 72% of all of the food decisions of your children and spouse (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Sept 2006).
- Mothers’ behavior (specifically, treatment of tantrums/frustration in problem solving) has been linked to their children’s problem-solving abilities (Developmental Psychology).
- Parents influence teens’ attitudes toward drugs, alcohol and substance abuse quite heavily (Child Development).
- Moms even influence whether their teens seek medical care (The Journal of Adolescent Health).
- Mothers’ disapproval of teen sex (surprisingly) discourages teen sexual and being close to a 14- or 15-year-old daughter also delays or decreases sexual activity.
- This influence against sex, drugs and alcohol lasts through college, especially when parents and children are emotionally close (Journal of Youth and Adolescence).
- In fact, mothers have been shown to influence their children’s psychological and physical health through old age—and I mean the kids’ old age, not just ours (The National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development).
- Mothers even influence fathers, especially how involved they are early on in their children’s lives.
It’s easy to look around at the mountain of laundry, the mound of dirty dishes, the teenager’s filthy room we told her to clean fifteen times, the full plate of food the toddler refused to eat, and the grade schooler’s last-minute order of three dozen cupcakes for a class party tomorrow and feel like we’re not important—as if we don’t matter. Yes, being a mother does involve a lot—a lot—of grunt work.
But every once in a while, at least, we need to remember that motherhood is more than chores.
Motherhood is eternally important.
Motherhood is important because being a mother means teaching and guiding future generations. We do make a difference—they do understand and internalize the principles we try so hard to teach them—and they will be better for our efforts.
Why do you think being a mother is important?