“Baba, I’m getting late!" was a common morning call heard by our neighbours as my dad struggled with my school ponytails. Meanwhile, my mom would be preparing for her day at the office, looking at us with a smile. During my childhood, my father took on both parental roles, as did my mother, and sometimes my grandparents too.
A mother's love is often seen as the epitome of unconditional love and nurturing care. It is a love that knows no bounds and is always ready to comfort, guide, and protect. However, this kind of love is not exclusive to mothers alone. Fathers, grandparents, teachers, siblings and other caregivers are also capable of providing this kind of love and support. Well, despite all of this, LOVE is what prevails. The light they guide us with is what makes us what we are.
An example of such support can be seen in the life of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Despite facing financial difficulties, his brother Ajit Tendulkar recognized Sachin's talent and encouraged him to pursue cricket. Ajit would take Sachin to matches, provide him with equipment, and even serve as his first coach. This unwavering support from his brother played a crucial role in shaping Sachin's career and helping him become the cricketing icon he is today.
Be it Nelson Mandela, the Madiba who exemplified parenthood and leadership, or Gauri Sawant, a prominent transgender mother from Mumbai, India, or be it a common woman Pratyusha, a teacher from a rural village in Madhya Pradesh, to nurture children with unconditional love and care, these examples remind us that motherhood transcends gender.
Research has shown that the love and care provided by parents, regardless of gender, play a crucial role in a child's development. According to a study by the University of Oxford, children who receive love and support from their parents tend to have higher self-esteem and are more resilient in the face of challenges.
As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us not only appreciate the love of mothers but also acknowledge the love of all parents and caregivers. Let us celebrate the fathers who take on the role of mothers when needed, the grandparents who shower their grandchildren with love and wisdom, and all the other caregivers and teachers who provide unwavering support and care.
At Early Steps Academy, we see this love in action every day. We hear stories of fathers picking up their daughters' favourite snacks on the way home from work, mothers empowering their sons to stand up to bullies at school, and grandparents reading bedtime stories with such warmth and tenderness that it touches our hearts deeply.
Mother's Day is a special time to honour the amazing people who shape our lives with love and care. While it's great to have a day dedicated to them, we can make them feel special every day with simple, heartfelt gestures. Let us also acknowledge the unsung heroes among us - the single fathers who play the dual role of mother and father, the siblings who step up to raise their younger brothers and sisters, and the single parents raising siblings. Their love, dedication, and sacrifice are a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. On this Women's Day, let us celebrate all those who embody the spirit of nurturing and caregiving, regardless of gender or circumstance.
Take a moment each day to say "thank you" and let them know how much they mean to you. Little acts of kindness, like helping out around the house or spending quality time together, can mean the world to them.
Let's treat every day as Mother's Day by showing our love and appreciation in small but meaningful ways. It's about making them feel cherished and loved, not just on Mother's Day, but every single day.
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