Motherhood

Dear Editor,

Never underestimate the job skills required of a mother.

Since Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney, was attacked as a "stay-at-home-mom," many people have come to her defense.

Responsibility connected with motherhood goes back to Genesis 3:20. Eve's name means "mother of all living."

A friend of mine, who entered the work force after being a "stay-at-home-mom," filled out a job application. In the space asking for previous experience, she wrote "home engineer."

Being a good mother and developing parenting ability is a full-time occupation. The building blocks of a future generation are being laid.

I've been a "stay-at-home mom" and a working mom. I've also raised grandchildren. Every day is challenging.

Other women have told me about the situations they face as mothers. Many of them work because they need the income to survive.

In spite of it all, their primary job is motherhood.

One person described the hardships faced by her widowed working mother, who raised seven children. From time to time, women fill in the vacancy left when a mother is deceased or no longer there for the children. Abe Lincoln credited his stepmother as being a guiding force in his life.

A recent acquaintance of mine is a young mother who drives 35 miles to obtain childcare. Her primary goal in life is to be a good mother in spite of having to work away from home.

To quote Shakespere, "All's well that ends well."

This is not possible without dedicated mothers and parents and people who care about children.

Happy Mother's Day in 2012.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska