Saturday, September 14, 2013

"Mama" is a Universal Word

mama and child

Every culture has a form of the word“mama” in it’s language -– the mmm sound, followed by a vowel that means "mother". How uncanny! And fitting. After all, the experience of mothering is universal in so many ways. While every child is unique and individual, children will be children. Sometimes, this truth is to our delight, other times, to our dismay.

Either way, we experience many of the same stages of development and watch our children reach similar milestones. Both happen at varying times for each child with individual shadings and amplitudes, but, often times, the commonalities between us outweigh our differences.

Despite our commonalities, moms generally connect around them after the fact. The moments worthy of sharing happen first between mama and child, intimate and one-one-one. A beautiful thing, for sure, but potentially isolating as well.

I think that’s one of the reasons we all like being part of the mom blogger community. We read each other’s posts looking for that “I KNOW!” feeling. We seek validation that our experience is shared by moms around the world. We may not have exactly the same experience or always agree with each other’s solutions or parenting philosophies, but, one way or another, we can relate to the many trials, tribulations, and triumphs of raising children.

Tell me who among you hasn't felt the hand of the writer coming through the computer and touching you in that unique mom place in your heart? Who has not laughed so hard at something you’re reading that your significant other just had to know what’s so funny?

So many writers have struck a chord with me, lightened my mood, made me feel understood or less alone. In fact, I learned the amazing tidbit about the universality of the word "mama" from my blogger friend, Therese. Then, there's Katia and her post about our dreams and expectations for our kids. Kristi’s post about feeling the fleeting nature of youth. Jean’s about negotiating the tricky, unwritten rules of the playground.  Stephanie’s about those times when mommy guilt rears its ugly head. Deb’s about the many ways that toddlers can drive you insane.

So many, alas, I'm leaving so many out! I have just scratched the surface of the many moms who have had me nodding, laughing or crying. Sometimes all three. The connection I have felt to each one of them has been invaluable to me as a mom. On a particularly hard day, it's the only thing that has kept me going!

I started thinking about the connections between moms because of Taming The Goblin. I’ve looked forward to reading post by my mom blogger friend "The Monko" every Sunday for all of the reasons I've mentioned above. Then, she asked me to consider co-hosting the Sunday Parenting Party link-up, along with her and several other terrific bloggers. I was honored and excited, because SPP is a hop specifically for posts about parenting issues, advice and experiences (see description below) and a great place to connect with like-minded writers. So...welcome to the Sunday Parenting Party! I do hope you will link a parenting post. I'm so glad to be part of the SPP community and hope you will be too!

*****

Welcome to The Sunday Parenting Party, hosted by Dirt and Boogers, Play Activities, Crayon Freckles, Taming the Goblin, The Golden Gleam, Prickly Mom, and The Tao of Poop. The SPP is place for readers to find ideas on nurturing, educating, and caring for children, as well as honest posts about the stresses of being a parent or caregiver. Links to reviews and giveaways are welcome as long as they are relevant to the topic. All parenting philosophies are welcome with one exception: please do not link to posts promoting physical discipline, as this is something we would feel uncomfortable having on our blogs. (P.S. By linking up you agree that your post and photos are Pinterest, Sulia, G+ and FB friendly. We will be showcasing ideas on The Sunday Parenting Party Pinterest board.)


Tao of Poop 




25 comments:

  1. Wow. Is that really true that every culture/language word for mama begins with an MMMM and ends with one variation or another? If so? What does tat mean? I mean seriously, that's incredible.
    I think this article is brilliant. And so true.
    I don't know Taming the Dragon, but if you are a part of a link up now, you bet your sweet happy ass that I'm linking up. Because you are one amazing mama. Huge amazing. And holy crap thank you for including me in the bloggers that affect or annoy you or I think (I was) on the inspiring list :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this concept and you are so right being a mom blogger, I have connected with so many about what they are going through that I might be going through or have gone through in the past with my kids. Wonderful linkup and very happy to join. Happy Sunday!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. yey! So glad you are here. You are so right, i love finding that "oh my goodness yeah" moment when you read a parenting post and have been in exactly the same position your self.

    ReplyDelete
  4. To me, reading posts from other mom bloggers is like finding a support group where I do not need to leave the home. I love to read and laugh along with moms like me who have had the same nasty or magical experiences like I do. Thanks for your wonderful post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Moms can connect like never before thanks to the internet. I'm so glad that I never have to feel alone thanks to so many wonderful moms online in the blogging community. Mama really is universal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's much less isolating, for sure, Sarah!

      Delete
  6. I love this parenting party! Such incredible writers! So many different perspectives and experiences. I'm so glad that I found it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica, I'm so glad that you like the link-up! I agree with you. Some great writers.

      Delete
  7. Yes, I love the blogging community. Makes me feel less alone. I'll have to check out these other bloggers too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hate to be so late to the party- what a great linkup! Thanks for the shout-out, and more importantly, for your beautiful words. You so gracefully, succinctly summarized why so many of us write, blog, and read parenting blogs. The validation of the "nodding along" experience, the universality of motherhood, is so powerful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for linking up, Stephanie. I think your post was perfect for this link-up.

      Delete
  9. What an absolutely beautiful post and I am so grateful to be mentioned here!I was blown away by a few observations like the one about the universality of the word mama as well as this: The moments worthy of sharing happen first between mama and child, intimate and one-one-one. A beautiful thing, for sure, but potentially isolating as well. SO true, such an astute observation. Blown away by you, twice today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is perfect... as I struggle with my own stuff my son is yelling Mom! Mom! Mommaaaa!!!! From the other room :-)
    I'll come back next week for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are such a talented writer, Rachel. Your words are just beautiful, and I loved this post. You're right; we moms do need those connections and that feeling of "Oh my gosh, YOU UNDERSTAND!!" I'd love to join the linky party, but I'd better not...I'm not sure my snark is what we're looking for here. But I'll still click around and find some new friends!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shay! I dunno. I think everyone could use a little Shay!

      Delete
  12. I never really put that into perspective. So interesting. Yes we all go through the same stages of being a mother and I'm glad that we as bloggers can share it with the world.
    Makes others feel less alone :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kimberly, I know your words make lots of moms feel less alone.

      Delete
  13. Yes! I get that feeling ever so often. It's as if someone else were speaking in my voice. Missed it this time, but will probably link up next time!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...