Posted by:

Michael Grose

There’s a huge difference between being a parent and being a mum.

Being a parent is very managerial. Parenting refers to the rational side of things. It’s a gender neutral term. It doesn’t account for the bond between a mother and each of her children . Parenting is something to grow out of.

Being a mother is different. It’s instinctive. It’s about the heart. It infers nurturance, protectiveness and longevity. Mothering is relational. Mothering is something you never grow out of.

Every culture has a range of terms for mother including their own versions of shortened term of mum/mom.

Kids say, “That’s my mum!” They don’t say, “That’s my parent!” They may do so when they are annoyed or embarrassed by you, but that’s another story.

Boys and girls of all ages just love their mums. They put up with their parents.

They can't do without their mums, but they can live without their parents.

When they are in trouble or life is too hard, they look for their mums. They only look for their parent to get them out of a jam!

Raising kids is about mothering (and fathering)................rather than merely parenting. That’s why there’s Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) rather than Parent’s Day.

From all at parentingideas.com.au have a Happy Mother's Day!

Tags:

mother, mum, parent