A Field Guide to Mothers
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I have often wondered, during those rare times that I manage to go out in public without my children, if I bear some distinguishing mark that identifies me as a mother. Certainly, I must exhibit some characteristics unique to all mothers, regardless of age or income level. As a bird watcher looks for an unusual crest, or listens carefully for a certain songbird's call, could not a mother watcher locate a women with children, even if she did not have her children with her? Carrying this one step further, I began to develop the theory that not only can one recognize a mothers, but can identify the various states of motherhood that the particular mother might be in. On this premise I have created the following field guide for recognizing North American Mothers.
Hatchling Mother - birth to 6 months: She may, while
standing in line at the grocery store, gently bounce a 25-pound sack
of potatoes on her hip in order to keep them entertained. She may,
upon hearing someone else's baby cry, cross her arms across her
chest to stop the involuntary milk let down reflex. She is likely to
have mastered the ability to pick things up with her feet without
interrupting the ritual baby dance. She will undoubtedly exhibit the
universal signs of new motherhood: dark circles under her eyes, and a
spit up stain down the back of her left shoulder. An examination of
her purse contents will reveal baby Anbesol, Tylenol with the dropper
top, the pediatrician's office, beeper and home phone numbers, a
two-week-old list of things to do (still undone), a few birth
announcements that have not been addressed and a large bottle of extra
strength Tylenol for herself.
Fledgling Mother - 12 to 24 months: She will exhibit a
vocabulary rich in two-syllable words. A seemingly intelligent woman
will suddenly need to use the "potty" or show you a
"boo boo." She will be the one who looks around anxiously
when someone else's child calls, "Mommy!" At the end of the
day, she falls into bed exhausted and goes "night-night."
In
her purse is a crayon fragment, a half-chewed bite of the grocery
store's free daily sample, a plastic block and a large bottle of extra
strength Tylenol. This article is unattributed. If you know the author of this article, please contact us at feedback@breastfeeding.com. Thanks! |
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