Background information
Parenting commences from the preparations for childbirth. From the time a child is born, the process becomes more cumbersome for both parents. The influences a child gravitates toward is as a result of the parents and family members. The father has a role to play, and the mother also has a role to play. The interplay of these two roles determines the type of person the child grows up to become.
Apart from the mother having to bear the child, she has a role, even greater, to play in the child’s upbringing. This is not to insinuate that the burden of parenting should be borne by only the mother, but the reality is that the role of a mother is very substantial in Child Development. In unfortunate cases of single parentage, both roles would be performed by one person under stressful conditions. However, the normal course of parenting involves both parents playing their individual roles.
Therefore, this article is written to explain the rules a mother has to play in the upbringing of her child.
Roles of a mother in a child’s upbringing
- Health roles
At the early stage of a child’s life, it is necessary for the mother to cater for the health of the child. Although the health care of the child is a collective responsibility of both parents, the mother has been designed by nature to perform an irreplaceable role in the health care of the child. This role is breastfeeding. Over the years, many mothers have neglected this role, but with recent research, mothers have been enlightened on the usefulness of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits on the health of the child, such as giving the child the necessary nutrients to grow, reducing the risk of diseases by supplying antibodies, enhancing brain development, and many other benefits. The role of health care in child upbringing is very important because a failure of the mother to supply this level of care at the initial stage of upbringing could lead to various health complications, as well as problems in growth and development.
- Socialization
In the society, there are many agents of socialization. They include the family, school, peer group, and the society itself. However, the mother is the first agent of socialisation, as she is a person that has a closer relationship with the child. To say the least, the child gets to know the mother before knowing the Father. Being an agent of socialisation, she is a great influence on the child. As such, the child carefully watches her actions and general way of life; with the intent to imitate. It is now the responsibility of the mother to live a life that would be worthy of emulation by the child. Also, in the aspect of language, the child could learn the rudiments of their Mother Tongue; in their early life.
- Emotional support
Generally, the mother is the closest parent to the child. By this, the mother has a role of constantly showing support and listening to the emotional demands of their child. It may interest you to note that, as children grow, they encounter problems in their social life, in the aspect of morality, or any other thing that may distort their mental health. As such, it becomes imperative to talk to the child and give advice when necessary. The failure to do this may be disastrous because, when children are not advised or supported, they tend to do things their own way, which may be wrong.
- Educational support
Most times, it is regarded as the responsibility of the Father to cater for the major academic needs of a child, such as a school fee payment, books etc. However, the mother, too, could also pay similar bills if she has the financial capacity to do so. However, a major role of the mother is checking on their children to see how focused and committed they are to their studies. Regularly checking their academic work gives them the consciousness that their academic progress is being monitored, and this will eventually make them sit up. As a mother, it is also part of your responsibility to visit your child’s School from time to time, interact with the teachers, and hear their opinions on your child in terms of their academics, behaviours, and general lifestyle outside your watch. This will help you take precautions where necessary and also ensure that your child is not living a dual lifestyle of deceit.
- General Discipline
As a mother, you owe your child a duty to discipline and correct them in times of error. During the period of their upbringing, you must mould them in standard and character to whom you want them to become. This is a very important role because a certain time will come in their lives when you can effect little or no change to their way of life. If this discipline is not properly instilled in them, they will become nuisances in the society.
In disciplining a child, it is important to know when to shout, when to have calm conversations, and when to flog the child, as the case may be. A situation where a mother is constantly beating the child, or beats a child to the point of severe injury, degenerates the whole process to physical abuse. Also, excessively beating a child could make the child get used to that form of discipline and may be ready to do anything and damn the consequences that may follow. Therefore, in your attempt to discipline, develop various strategies that will pass the message without doing so much harm.
Conclusion
The role of a mother is very essential in the upbringing of a child. Therefore, Women should be fully prepared before taking the responsibility of motherhood. Mothers should also be appreciated and respected for their unfailing support and contributions.
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