TOUGH LOVE

My husband tells me that I’m much more assertive than when he met me 25 years ago. Yeah, well, I’m a mother now, I said. And it’s true. Having babies and small children to look after turns on your inner lioness. Parenting is not all about sweet cuddles and gummy kisses.

I recently heard about a father who was looking after his three children on a Saturday while their mom travelled for work. Apparently, as she left early that morning, she suggested that he take them on a fun outing for the day. He nodded thoughtfully. Late afternoon when she returned there were three very unhappy little faces waiting… Dad had packed them all up and taken them to the clinic for their booster shots! Not fun at all, but it’s what responsible parents do, even if it means tears.

I also know parents who have slept outside schools in order to be first in line to get their child in for grade one. (Thank goodness you can apply online now.) We struggle, we sacrifice, we work, we go without and we learn to say “no”; all this because as parents we know we’re playing the long game.

Last week I spotted one of my daughter’s friends sitting in a café with a man who was not her father. I couldn’t help myself. My feet developed a life of their own and carried me right over to their table to find out who he was and if she was okay. I might have embarrassed myself just a little, but that instinct to protect took over. Of course it was all fine, and really not my business to stick my assertive nose in. But still. I’m a mom, and sometimes that means I can be really fierce.

Please share your fierce mom stories with us. You can email letters@yourpregnancy.co.za or find us on Facebook or Instagram.