When I was a teen/twenty-something, I used to wonder why everyone always said “Hi Mom” when they were on TV. Oh you would get the occasional “Hi Dad” or “Hi Mom & Dad” or a random smattering of others. But “Hi Mom” is the standard. Now, never having the opportunity to become a Mom, I felt cheated. But that just goes to show that I did not know better.
After seeing my three children delivered. I can begin to understand. Boy, I am glad I don’t “get” to experience that. After reeking havoc to your body for 9 months, with everyone wanting to touch your stomach, with getting kicked and pummeled from the inside, and not having any room for your lungs - you get to go through labor. Geez.
Then, when the baby wakes up, Mom’s get to take the lead here, at least for moms that breastfeed (dad’s just don’t have what it takes). Sure there is some sharing, but Mom’s do take the lion’s share here.
All of this starts a pattern. There is a primary caregiver, and it is usually the mom. And from the time before birth, we see how nature reinforces and guides this pattern, but it is so much more than mere biology. The dyanamic between the mom and her child forms the basis for all future relationships. Here children learn that they are lovable and that they can trust. Wow. Sure we dads play a role, a large and important role, but not the one that moms play. The mom role is special - a role like no other.
A nurse at my wife’s Ob/Gyn was talking about how we dads had it lucky (not having labor and pregnancy). I reminded her that there were benefits too that we dads don’t get. I asked if she had ever noticed that people always say “Hi Mom” on TV.
Just a few thought from a third time new dad on the eve of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Mother of our Lord - and spiritual mother to us all.
Tags: Moms
