Motherhood, taken from English Archives

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

My mother had a point when she said I shouldn't 'recycle' my material from English class. Then I reminded her the only audience that has seen this stuff was an English professor. This way I won't 'recycle' material for another class, which I'm finished with my core English classes so....this one was written for Dr. James Scruton of Bethel University but was then called Bethel College in 1998.

Being a Mother

Childbirth starts the beginning of a whole new world for expectant moms. My husband and I wanted to do it right. We enrolled in childbirth classes, hoping it could prepare us for what lay ahead. They only prepare you for delivery but nothing more.

"It is amazing how much we know about parenting before we have children and how little we know once we become parents ourselves" (Weinhaus and Friedman, 3). There are many parenting books out on the market, but none help prepare you for what is in store for you. Nothing does, only experience.

I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Hannah Ellen. Lamaze helped us with childbirth. But then came the hard part. Sleepless nights of feedings, dirty diapers, and colic. And another common problem with children under the age of six months was being sick and what their symptoms were. They cannot tell you what was wrong. Ear infections always became a pain with Hannah. She stayed up all night crying because of the pain in her ears.

Next with a new child came walking and potty training. She hit this stage with the terrible two's. At this point I was trying to teach her right from wrong but she knew how to push those buttons. First she came home from daycare with teeth marks on her arm. She even came home one day with marks of biting on her FACE! I did not know how to handle this in a rational way. My father wanted her to hit the little boy the next time he bit her. I did not like this idea at all. We got a note about Hannah hitting a little boy at daycare. He had bitten her again. ......

The next stage in a child's life came the inquisitive three year old. She had grown a little more and wanted to understand the world around her. Just last night she asked "Why does popcorn make that popping sound?" Try answering that one. I felt I was getting an education raising my three year old. I guess every parent would get an education on raising children. She also asked questions about ........

I have only experienced being a mother up to this point, three year old. I am anxious and scared to know what lies ahead as a mother. I only hope that I am the best mother my child will have. She means everything to me. Because I am a single mother now, it makes me more aware of how important I have to be for her. (Hannah's father, Keith died in an accident on December 18, 1996)

"I've gone through a major transition, discovered new sides of myself, and the result has been the gradual emergence of a new self-image" (Frieland and Kort, 103). This could describe motherhood. I have had to adjust to many different sides of my life since I have become a mother. My identity has been joined with another human being. I am not only Billie Jean but also Hannah's mother. This new name will always be a part of me. Hannah will always be a part of me.

Motherhood is a profession that came with no instructions. I believe it is the most wonderful role, better than any reward or position like President of the United States or Miss America. God has blessed me with a great child and I have tried to be a good mother.

Erma Bombeck puts motherhood like this "it never questions age, height, religious preference, health, political affiliation, citizenship, morality, ethnic background, marital status, economic level, convenience, or previous experience" (2). Any woman can have a child but it takes lots of patience and love to become a mother. It does not matter who we are, women have been given the greatest gift of all - motherhood. We should thank God every day for the precious child or children we have.

Whenever I see my child I hear a child playing and talking. I hear my three year old asking "why?" every other question. I feel her tiny little hands wrap around my finger. And I taste the apple juice on her lips as she kisses me. I would not trade any amount of money or any worldly possession for what I have as a mother. Because when the day is done and we go to sleep I cannot wait to hear her little voice say "Mommy, I love you."

Motherhood is not for the weak hearted. Being a mother is a full time job. I may get help from grandparents and friends but I still have to have a mind of a mom constantly. The decisions I make effect my child as much as it does me.

Being a mother has been very rewarding as well as challenging. I learn something new every day and the fun never stops. Going to the park, watching Barney videos, and visiting friends and relatives are a few of the great adventures Hannah and I have every day. I have been blessed and thank God every day for such a wonderful child. Being a mother is one of my favorite accomplishments.

**This was written in the fall of 1998, Bryce and Celeste were yet to be born. I feel blessed 3 times over now with their births into my life. God truly made me great when He made me a mother.