OF the different types of love, a Mother’s love is claimed to be the strongest; and the deepest bond is meant to be between a Mother and her children. It is often said that a Mother’s love is unconditional, meaning – it is a love that is given freely without terms or conditions. In addition, Mothers are intuitive, everyone knows that a ‘Mother’s instinct’ surpasses all others.
Mothers are special – the maternal bond between a Mother and a child does not have to be biological. Many cases exist where unrelated women have cared for children as their own, building a solid lifetime bond. Their natural maternal intuition to nurture and care, flowed spontaneously.
On Mothering Sunday, families have the opportunity to show their appreciation to Mothers and don’t Mothers know it. This results in the highest sale of flowers and plants for the year; sold out restaurant venues (pre-COVID-19 times) and hampers with goodies and other ‘I love mum’ paraphernalia. Also, more telephone calls are made on ‘Mother’s Day than at any other time of the year.

Most Mothers deserve all the attention and special gifts they receive on Mother’s Day. They have made sacrifices and left themselves undone so their children would not go without. Others have toiled single-handedly, night and day, for an income to raise their children. My Mother used to say to me, ‘Your Father run and left yuh, I could do the same’. But I never believed her; it was not in her character to desert her children. Instead, she worked two jobs to make ends meet, to put food on the table and pay bills. There are many stories throughout the centuries and across the world of Mothers who successfully raised children with meagre resources in destitute or poverty-stricken environments. These stories often tell how the children became well-rounded or accomplished adults, having started with very little but a Mother’s love. For Mothers to be this influential in their children’s lives, regardless of social standing, environment, wealth, or lack of, they need to realise their role.
Some Mothers are not in touch with their designated role as caregivers. They do not understand the importance of nurturing their off-spring, showing affection and correctly guiding their children. These are a few primary factors that are part of Motherhood, and of which a Mother should take heed if she is serious about safeguarding her children.

How good is the connection between Mother and child? Some Mothers know their children are sexually abused and turn a blind eye to the fact. They are clearly out of touch with their role as protector, and their Mother/child relationship is poor. It is not the child’s fault. Children do not choose the households they are born into and do not control what they learn or are exposed to by adults.
Looking out for children when they are small and caring for them as they grow should come easily and naturally for Mothers, and in most cases, they do. Mothers learn either through trial and error, instinct or experienced family members and elders. In addition to these organic remedies, there is information online about childcare and child development. A trip to the library is no longer necessary to garner information. There is no apparent reason why young Mothers should find their role challenging.
Child protection should begin in the womb, where Mothers-to-be (and Fathers) work to keep their child safe with good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. In normal circumstances, every Mother starts out wanting to be a good Mother. It is one of the best feelings in the world to give birth to a healthy child after spending nine months protecting him/her in the womb. Protecting the vulnerable infant is instinctive for most adults. But situations occur along the way that propel some Mothers into lifestyles that put their children at risk.

Substance abuse, Alcoholism, and Domestic Violence are just three negative situations that Mothers contend with while trying to raise children. Babies born into families where these ills are rife begin life at a disadvantage. Some babies are affected from the womb and show signs of alcohol or substance abuse at birth. These and other pressures, such as mental health issues, influence and challenge the role of Mothers as child protectors.
Lack of intellectual capacity or poverty also prevents Mothers from doing what they can to protect their children – being socially and financially deprived means not enough food or good nutrition for her developing brood. There may even be cases of malnutrition and stunted growth in these circumstances. Although a Mother’s affection, guidance and nurturing may be apparent, her children will never be brighter and better than their contemporaries due to their deprivation and environment.
In such cases, Parents can seek support from The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, where officers from various departments, including the Childcare and Protection Agency, work to support vulnerable families – keeping parents and children together. Parents who understand their roles should strive to raise healthy, well-balanced children.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY