What we’ve learnt from motherhood

“A society without mothers would be dehumanized, for mothers are always, even in the worst of times, witnesses to tenderness, dedication, and moral strength. Mothers often communicate the deepest meaning of religious practice in the first prayers and acts of devotion that their children learn… Without mothers, not only would there be no new faithful, but the faith itself would lose a good part of its simple and profound warmth…” Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia 174. As women around the globe are celebrated on Mother’s Day, May 11, The Catholic News asked a few women to share what they have learnt from motherhood and how it has changed their perspective on life.

Lauren Branker: “Becoming a mom has allowed me to become so patient, slow down to enjoy certain things not only with my son but with my husband [Brent], enjoy watching him be a dad and enjoy my son growing up and doing new things every day. I was a very impatient person; I’ve just become easygoing when it comes to certain things. So many things that I used to stress about now, I can say ‘that’s the least of my troubles’. Becoming a mom changed my perspective on life, not to take so many things seriously, there are so many things happening and you don’t need to stress about it. Like, you can just see it for what it is, deal with it in the moment and kind of just move on. You don’t need to harbour things anymore. Also, life has so much more meaning. You’re raising another human being; you’re raising someone who is going to contribute positively to society. Yes, I’m living my life but I’m living my life knowing what I do is an example and model to Theo and obviously have to do things differently. So, my life, yes, while it used to be spontaneous and loud, outgoing, it’s still that way of course, within my motherly role.”

Sharon Mangroo (from left), Michael, Rafael, and Anna.

Sharon Mangroo: That is a hard question to answer. It changed my whole life from longing to fulfilment. It brought incredible joy and anxiety and sorrow, hope and more joy and happiness. It is like the difference between holding an empty bag and a full one; with the children, my bag is full. Becoming a mother gave my life meaning and direction. I was told once that it made me softer.

Niobe and Bryan Rodrigues with sons (from left) Isaac, Jozef, and Cristiano.

Niobe Rodrigues: I think becoming a mother has made me more aware of how important parenting is to our society. Many of my current relationships in my community have arisen from wanting to be aware of my children’s friends, their environment, the relationships that they are building and how these relationships impact them as young men. Mothering also helps us to know that life is fleeting and while we work and serve at church, at work and in PTAs [Parent Teachers’ Associations), at home is where our reach, for good or for ill – goes furthest.

 (from left) Shari Rhyner Radix and Sharisse Rhyner

Yvonne Rhyner: I don’t say extremely mean or hurtful things to my children because my mother never did that to me, and I upbraid them roundly if they say unkind things about others within my hearing. While we may not be remembered by every generation, how we mother impacts every generation. The changes I saw in myself, I became more patient, more loving and my heart grew bigger by having two daughters. It’s changed my perspective on life, that everything is in the hands of God, and I learned you want your children to be something, but you accept what they can do and what they want to be, and you go with that and that will bring their success and your success.