Much love to all the ‘mean’ mothers
Dear Mothers: “A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.”
— Victor Hugo.
To all the mothers out there: Happy Mother’s Day! To everyone for whom this is a difficult holiday, may it land gently, to borrow a phrase from columnist and author Connie Schultz.
Sometimes, being a truly loving, tender and caring mom means that your children think you are “mean” at times. But the truth is that teaching discipline to your children will mean they’ll become happier and more well-adjusted adults. So here’s a poem for all those “mean” moms out there who deserve recognition and respect: “A ‘Mean’ Mother” (Author unknown) A “mean” mother never allows candy or sweets to take the place of a well-balanced meal.
A mean mother insists on knowing where her children are at all times, who their friends are and what they do.
A mean mother breaks the Child Labour Law by making their children work — washing dishes, making beds, learning to cook, and doing other cruel and unpleasant chores.
A mean mother makes life miserable for her offspring by insisting that they always tell the truth.
A mean mother produces teenagers who are wiser and more sensible.
A mean mother can smile with secret delight and pride when she hears her own grandchildren call their parents “mean.”
Dear Annie: I compare the anxiety of wanting quarantine to end to those of us who, in the back seat of the car as children, anxiously asked, “Are we there yet?”
Despite boredom and uncomfortable proximity to each other while in the car, we finally made it to our destination, and the time was right to move freely. However, during that car ride, we couldn’t just decide we were “there.” Where would we have been? We had to persevere to get to the correct “there,” no matter how frustrated we were about how long the trip was taking.
Since the lockdown, I have discovered that I am a happy introvert. All my life I have been outgoing, helping others, diving in at the slightest suggestion that I could be of benefit in some way. In the end, I often found myself tired and empty.
May we find that life as we knew it isn’t all we thought it was, and develop a new perspective on our blessings.
— Self-discovery
Dear Self-discovery: Congratulations on discovering what makes you happy. Knowing oneself is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and others. Having a positive attitude can help the human spirit thrive during unsettling times.