LDS Living magazine contacted me a while back, and asked me if I would write some thoughts about Mother’s Day. My first thought was, “Is this a prank?” But after some tough negotiations, we decided I would do it. If you are curious, here is a transcript of the negotiation process.
LDS Living: “Would you like to write an article for…”
MMM: “Sure!”
That was how it all went down.
Here is the link: “Mom Physics“
Also, LDS Living has compiled a FREE ebook of articles about Mothers and Motherhood.
Did I mention that it is free? Click here to download it.
So, there you have it. Feel free to circle back around and leave a comment to let me know how I messed it up, or if you liked it.
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The force of attraction on a particle with charge Q moving with velocity v through a magnetic field B experiences a force FB due to the magnetic field. The force is described by
FB = Q(v x B)
(where F, v, and B are vector quantities, and x is the cross product).
This describes (e.g.) how electric motors work — when charged particles (electrons) flow through wires in a magnetic field, the field generates a force which turns the motor.
So, maybe the attraction of Mom’s magnetic field enables her children to do useful work, as long as they’re moving in the right direction along the straight and narrow path?
Having no physics education I tried to interpret the formula. I got as far as Facebook = quiet v X B. That’s as far as I got. Thanks for a great read (as usual)!
Great article, but it hit a nerve for me.
Sunday you had a great post about not softening or changing what’s preached to the many even though a few could be offended or hurt. I completely believe in that. You made some great points.
But…
I come from an abusive family. I could never get my mom to love me no matter what I did – or did not – do. I’m old enough to ‘know’ better but I still want her approval and acceptance. I definitely feel the ‘pull’ towards her. And my relationship with her is anything but divine. That’s as a child.
I’m a mother of wonderful children. I love them completely. They’re each married with children of their own. I hope that my children feel drawn to me (to the degree that married adult children still feel that) but I’m not sure they do. There’s still concern that I’ve done it right or am doing it right. That nagging feeling of inadequacy dogs me regularly. That’s as a mom.
Then there’s Mother’s Day. I wouldn’t say I hate it – much too strong a word for what I feel – but I do dread it. The church meetings on Mother’s Day stir up all kinds of conflicting emotions – most of which are unpleasant. It’s the day when my lack of mothering and my lack at mothering are most exquisitely felt.
Change the focus/purpose/message on Mother’s Day? No. But it would be nice to have someone acknowledge those of us who would prefer to skip over the whole event. I can’t be the only one out there with these feelings.
I’m sorry that half of your experience with motherhood has been so difficult. I think that even in a hard situation like you have experienced, the ideas I mentioned last week still apply:
We teach, anad strive for the ideal – and this specific ideal is that Motherhood is important. There are no claims made that mothers are, or should be, perfect. Same with any other idea of perfection – None of us will ever attain it – by ourselves. We have the Atonement to help us with what we can’t overcome.
Maybe instead of focusing on how Mother’s Day impacts you personally and emotionally, try focusing on the Plan of Salvation, and how motherhood fits into God’s designs. Find gratitude in that, and the Atonement – the day doesn’t have to be about you, or a day to focus on your inadequacy. Think bigger!
They are making memes of you now? THEY ARE MAKING MEMES OF YOU NOW! Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Sorry. It’s got flowers on it too. Ok now that I’m done making fun of you, lovely article. I knew you’d rock it. 🙂
Your Mom insights are so exact. I have found that after my boys turned 18 or so I became the smartest woman in the world.
Beautiful thoughts. And true! My sister posted something on facebook similar what you wrote. I’ll see if I can post it to your wall, although you have probably seen it.
And, NOOOOoooooo, I can’t believe I have to follow you on LDS Living! My article posts tomorrow. So not fair because mine is not very “deep.” I was too busy attending a motherhood conference of all things to have time to sit and write a good one. Blech. Oh well.
You are very kind. And very silly. I’m sure they ran mine first so that it wouldn’t pale in comparison to yours. They saved Stephanie for Sunday, so we know she’s Boss.
Oh wow! I’ll take Wednesday and following MMM over Sunday any day. I got to meet Stephanie’s boss {mom} last week and she was as sweet as could be! I guess if Stephanie’s as Boss as she is it’s a good thing. 🙂
You are both funny. Mine is actually on Saturday. (I think I told you wrong MMM, but she did say it is the last one in the series. Kind of like dessert after the main course.) And yes, my mom is the superBoss.
Nice. Good work, as usual.
Once again…beautiful article. Such a great quote at the end. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you, so much! This was such a beautiful article to read. Thanks for the tears!
That was great! Thank you for sharing your talents and your insights. Excellent quote at the end. I will have to share that with my own Mother.
Typo: “He tuned and went the other direction.”
Had to think about that one for a minute to see if there was some deeper meaning.
He tuned and went the other direction
Thanks so much. At first, my sweetheart was upset that the baby didn’t want him all the time. He loves them, and has been the magnet at church and at his retail job for all of the tiny ones that are unhappy. He even carries spiderman bandaids for little ones if they have an owie. Moms are surprised at how they calm when he talks to them. But the tradeoff at how our children crave his company now that they are older is filling up that place. He’s the one who waits up and then listens for another hour while they talk talk talk talk. 🙂
New reader here.
Loved your article. I have always believed that even the child who hates their mother or has some sort of disdain for her in their lives, will always, no matter what still seek for her approval in some way. They won’t admit it, but there is some sort of tie between mother and child that can never be broken.
At the same time check out this article I wrote for power of moms about moms and dads. Dads have a special pull as well. It’s just different.
http://herstackofplates.blogspot.com/2010/02/mommy-weight.html
I think you did a good job.
Great article, MMM. I must say, though, that you got off easy in the sick department. When my kids knew they were going to throw up, they reached for their father. He would scoop them up, run to the bathroom and jump into the bathtub, allowing them to vomit freely and with reckless abandon all down his back and all over his chest. I feel no resentment there. Life was good.
Oh, I had my share of vomit. I was just making the point that their INSTINCT was to go to mom first.
Here is one particular experience that your husband might enjoy:
http://middle-agedmormonman.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-capacitor-went-bad.html
Well done! I’ll admit the anti-porn ad in the middle was distracting, but you have no control over that.
Loved it and shared it!
It places ads that apply to the viewer. It showed me a retirement home ad. Do we need to discuss this?
I didn’t see any ad, but I have ad block.
My ad was about vasectomy reversals. Not sure how that applies.
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Well said!
Very enjoyable read. 🙂 Good job on the article.
Very nice! And look at you, you even have a quote on a picture. You are famous now.
Thanks. Can you tell I didn’t choose the picture?
Yes, it wasn’t a kitten. *;-.D
Beautiful quote to end on!