“Mother Knows Best”

The February edition of Latina magazine posted an article "Mothers Know Best". The article’s byline reads – “Latina moms reject new age parenting practices relying instead on the old-fashioned methods they learned from their elders: say no to sleepovers, make clothes call, teach respect, promote privacy, don’t spare the rod.”

The February edition of Latina magazine posted an article "Mothers Know Best". The article’s byline reads – “Latina moms reject new age parenting practices relying instead on the old-fashioned methods they learned from their elders: say no to sleepovers, make clothes call, teach respect, promote privacy, don’t spare the rod.”

Notable for applause is the courage of these Latina moms to go against mainstream views to model strong values that will serve their children well especially in teaching respect. Sound vaguely familiar – like honoring your parents?

Next Sunday, May 12, many Americans will celebrate Mother’s Day – the day set aside to honor your mother – living or deceased.

Supposedly the origin of Mother's Day goes back to the era of ancient Greek and Romans. The roots of Mother's Day history can also be traced to the UK where a Mothering Sunday was celebrated. In America the efforts of Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis, pioneering women of the late 1800’s, are credited with the drive to bring the day into existence.

In 1907, Miss Anna Jarvis, never a mother herself, began an aggressive campaign to establish a National Mothers Day in America as a tribute to her mother at Andrews Methodist Church. By the next year, Mother's Day was also celebrated in her own city of Philadelphia.

Julia Ward Howe – writer, literary critic, reformist and composer of the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, will always be revered for her contributions in bestowing dignity to women and motherhood. She also fought for the official celebration of Mother's Day in the U.S. In her various social capacities Julia tirelessly worked for justice throughout her life. She fought aggressively for the woman's right to vote and to abolish slavery.

By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state of the Union. And in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.

Today Mother's Day is celebrated across 46 countries (though on different dates) and is a hugely popular affair. Millions of people across the globe take the day as an opportunity to honor their mothers, thank them for their efforts in giving them life, raising them and being their constant support and well wisher.

Celebrating your mother or your father is not a new tradition. “Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” was God’s idea.

He instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel in Exodus 20:13. A necessary component of God forming a people culturally and societally was the clearly laid out premise to honor your parents – treat them with regard, respect and courtesy. It was not just to make the parents feel good or to make it harsh for the children. This ethic was absolutely critical for the running of and survival of a nation; a premise based on the fear of God expressed in the home by the honoring of the parents.

It was and still is a way of life. It is the necessary component to make a family work. The ultimate responsibility lies with the parents to model a life that is respectable; and for the children to honor them.

How you will honor your mother this Mother’s Day? I am profoundly grateful to my mother and my grandmother who modeled for me respect, belief and trust in God. Life was not easy for my mother, a single parent fighting a debilitating disease from her early 30’s. In spite of her physical pain she persevered in working hard to provide for me and never stopped believing and trusting God. I wish she were here today so I could love on her and thank her for all she gave me and tell her – “mothers really do know best”.