My wife of 38 years and I were raised in large families where our mothers didn’t work outside of the home. As we raised our own four children, we made it a priority for my wife to stay home with them as well. It wasn’t easy. Occasionally, when money was tight, my wife would find ways to financially contribute without compromising her commitment to being a mother. She eventually got a part-time job delivering flowers to help provide Christmas presents and such for our children, always working around their school schedules.
A couple of months ago, I witnessed a touching moment between our adult daughter and her newborn baby boy. She had been holding and talking to her son, then passed him to my wife. The baby (barely six weeks old) turned his head and strained his neck to follow his mother's voice across the room. I thought about how heartbreaking it would have been if my daughter had just dropped him off at daycare and he wouldn't be able to hear her.
All four of my grown children and their spouses have made the decision that one parent is not working outside the home and can be found every time their babies search for them across the room.
Roger
The Connection Between Moms and Their Babies
Have you seen your adult children taking on your parenting habits from the past? I'd love to hear what stuck with them! Share your stories with me by emailing drlaura@drlaura.com!