Mother’s love, not smother love

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 17 Jan 2012
  • 2126 reads
6 comments
 

Mother’s love,
not smoth’ring love
that holds too tight
to hide from harm,
shield from alarm
(warm hugs are right,
needed and good);

throughout awkward phases
be quick to give praises;
share and prepare
for the move to elsewhere,
leaving the nest,
and facing a test –
experienced instruction,
and good explanation:
thus, loving affection
gives fore-armed protection;
encourage right confidence,
but not silly negligence,
watching them stumble,
and taking a tumble,
ready to soothe,
but speaking the truth,
respected, respecting,
and never neglecting
to pray every day.

Certificate U
Poem
Families
Love

Comments

Submitted by russiandoll on
That's lovely :) Reminds me of the phrase 'give them roots and wings', five words that guide me everytime I have a dilemma about the smalls.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
I havent heard that phrase, yes, good! Thanks for comment! Rh

 

Submitted by Indrani Ananda on
Indrani Ananda This is so neatly contained - wise parenting in a nutshell! Brilliant. Indrani.

Indrani Ananda

Submitted by Rhiannonw on
Thank you, Indrani! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannon

Very good parenting tips. Its nice to see it all written down in poetic form.

Our son caused us such a lot of worry when he was young, and I can remember getting advice from parents of a similar child who had taken him to see a child psychologist - something my husband would never have agreed to do. The advice was ignore the things he does wrong, but highly praise the things he does right. Easier said than done.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. As you know we had plenty of problems with our youngest too. In this verse I was not thinking particularly about the discipline issue, rather the preparation for the problems outside the home. I remember my mother commending a mother of twins the same age as myself, where one was handicapped, and the respect she felt for the mother struggling to stand back and let the handicapped boy take his faltering steps on his own. I think the mother had been deserted by her husband too. The twin boy was very strong and hearty.
As for that advice, good to encourage concentration on the praise, but I'm sure my children expected me to be firm about the things they did wrong too. It was more difficult with the youngest who had explosive emotions, and as I am fairly highly strung there could easily become a 'ding-dong', and it was difficult to know when to hold back, realising he knew he was doing wrong, and wait for his emotions to 'cool off'! I don't think he would have wanted me to ignore, but when to speak, and when to look, and when to … was difficult, as I'm sure you found! Rhiannon