Mothers Day

Thinking about this son that I will be bringing in to the world and the daughter that I already have, my mind has been drawn lately on how I am to mother a girl and a boy. While instilling a basis for moral growth and character for each child will be the same, both has a gender role that I need to train them in. My main thing for both my son and daughter will be to teach them gender etiquette.

The world defines “feminism” as equal rights for women socially, politically, and economically. While I do believe that both men and women should be treated equally, I sometimes worry that so-called feminists are erasing what makes us feminine in what seems to be a waging war against males. I will say that I am a feminist, but definitely not the social activist kind. Rather, I believe in the beauty of what makes women feminine – gentleness, cultivation, refinement, modest, propriety. In short, I believe in being a lady.

I believe in the power of my gender. I believe that women have a role that men can not assume, and vice versa. I am so grateful to have the respect that womanhood has granted me – to have doors opened for me, to be courted, to be the heart of the home, to give birth. Being a woman is amazing. I want to raise Evelyn to be a lady. And being a lady doesn’t mean being submissive and overrun, but rather respect for self with high standards in thought and deed.

The counterpart of a lady is a gentleman. I’m still wrapping my head around the idea of raising a boy. As I tackled these thoughts in my head the other night, it just occurred to me how easy it will be afterall. I will raise him to be a man. That’s simple! I know what I want to see in a man, for I married one :) Just as I love being a woman, I love the role of a man. The two are so intertwined.

I am so grateful to be a mother. What a humbling experience that I get to go through every day. It’s not always roses, and lately it hardly has been, but it’s always unconditional in its love.

“Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. Though it carries the woman close to the brink of death, motherhood also leads her into the very realm of the fountains of life, and makes her co-partner with the Creator in bestowing upon eternal spirits mortal life…. No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love. …” – David O. McKay

While I am grateful to be a mother today, I am most grateful to be a woman. Happy Mothers/Womens Day!