It’s Friday and I am joining the community hosted by Kate Motaung. For five minutes we write fast and free. The prompt is: EMBRACE
Five minutes ends at this mark: //
Last week I was at the zoo with my daughter and granddaughter. At the gorilla house we saw two mama gorillas with their infants—one 7 months old and one 3 weeks old.
The mama gorillas were carrying their infants around as they swung from the ropes or as they sat. The 7 month old baby was allowed to be with one male gorilla but the other males were chased off. These female gorillas had embraced motherhood.
So I have been thinking about the human experience of transitioning to motherhood. In our fast paced culture we don’t give much support to the enormous changes that take place in a woman’s life when she makes the transition to motherhood. //
South Korea has begun establishing post partum care centers. An expectant mother can book a two-week stay at the center. Nurses will care for her infant and bring the babe to mom for feedings. Meals and special treatments like massage are provided for mom. You can read more about it here.
I am grateful that women from my church brought meals and even helped clean my house during the weeks after my twins were born. My mother and mother-in-law came for periods of time. New mothers need to be nurtured as they embrace motherhood.
How can we help the women in our circle of influence with the transition to motherhood?
- Bring a nutritious and hearty meal or bring a frozen meal that she can have on hand.
- Offer to help clean, do laundry
- Listen to her as she processes her experience of childbirth
Join the fun and visit Five Minute Friday
Oh, I love your take on the word embrace. 🙂 We have 3 new mothers in our church, one has already given birth and her boy is already a month old. She enjoys a large family and growing up with 5 siblings this young woman was already a mother – nurturing was something all of them learned. We also have 2 young ladies that will be giving birth, one in just a few days, maybe a week and the other a few months later. I will be doing what you suggest! At your suggestion btw. 😉 We can certainly do more than just give them the pointers, we can show them! Thank you. God bless.
Andrea, FMF Neighbor #57
Thanks for visiting. Blessings as you give support to the new moms!