Pregnancy is in the air at the moment, and not just because of this season’s unflattering smock dresses. Sam and I have at least five friends who are pregnant – including his lovely sisters – and more who have just had a baby.
I’m not the clucky type, I can never understand what tiny children are saying and I worry about their soft little heads when I carry them, but I do look forward to having a kidlet/potentially multiple kidlets, someday.
I know that being a mother is hard work. It takes a lot of love, selflessness, lack of sleep, energy, creativity, brains and endurance. Mothers need to lay aside a lot of self interest in order to care and love another human being. The media consistently portrays motherhood as an accessory to a woman’s life, something she has a “right” to. Whether it’s regarding women and the workplace, lesbians going through IVF or the need for more childcare, the perspective often taken is one that is wholly about the woman’s right to have a child and the fulfillment children can bring – ideally without affecting the other aspects of your life. Hardly any mention is made of the child’s best interests. No mention is made of the father.
I pray that God will look after all these young, new mothers and mothers-to-be. Having a precious life in your care is a huge responsibility. May God give both parents the strength and ability to raise their children as His.