Mother’s Intuition
No matter what you tried to get away with as a child, your mother always knew. It was as bad as the song about Santa Claus. She knew, whether you were asleep or awake, what you were doing, heard what you said, even knew what you were thinking! She didn’t have eyes in the back of her head (you checked to see when she brushed her hair) and she wasn’t wired for sound and video (especially if you grew up before that was common), so how in the world did she do it? She had “Mother’s Intuition.”
Mother’s Intuition begins shortly after conception and, I believe, is probably a combination of the shared physical chemistry and close proximity of the two and the spiritual bonding and communication that develops between the souls of mother and baby during the long months of pregnancy. The more open and spiritually oriented a woman is, the more intense and profound this will be. Another factor in the intensity of the connection between mother and child is the shared past life history. Previous close relationships in other times and places leads to a clearer connection between the two.
At times, Mother’s Intuition stretches beyond her own children to others. There are times when I am out shopping or visiting friends that I see a child who just doesn’t look right or the energy just doesn’t feel right and I know that child is feeling out of sorts for some reason. Sometimes it is clear that the child is ill and needs medical attention. Sometimes the little one is just exhausted and needs a nap. It is easy in these very busy times with so much to do and so little time in which to do it to allow the pressures and time constraints to push us every which way. We adults get irritable and cranky during really hectic days. So do children but they can’t always express that verbally. That’s when intuition plays a very valuable role in clueing us into our child’s well-being. If we are open and receptive to what goes on with our child and pay attention to the subtle signs and energies, we can avoid things like a public temper tantrum by a tired three year old forced to endure another hour of shopping when he really needs a nap.
Mother’s Intuition can tell a mother when her child is ill long before medical symptoms are visible to even a trained physician. When my son was in elementary school, he had pneumonia three times. Each time, the illness was accompanied by a deep, racking cough. The third time he contracted it, the illness began with just a deep cough that progressed to a deep racking one in two days. I knew he had pneumonia again and asked my husband to take Chris to the doctor. I asked him to make sure they took a chest x-ray for confirmation. My husband took him to the doctor who found no temperature and no chest congestion. He tried to dismiss it as unimportant, but my husband insisted on a chest x-ray and threatened to have me call the doctor personally for an explanation. Chris had the x-ray. The following morning, the doctor phoned me with the diagnosis-pneumonia, and requested I pick up medication immediately. I knew without a doubt what the doctor could not discover without an x-ray.
That kind of connection is not unique between my son and me. I have arrived at school to pick him up as the office secretary tried to reach me to inform me of an illness or minor accident. He was scheduled to go on a Sea Scout camp out one weekend and was already at the center for departure. I had a terrible feeling of impending doom associated with Chris and this trip that got worse as the morning wore on. Finally, I called the center and asked the leader, “What’s wrong with Chris?” He hesitated a moment and asked why I asked. I replied that I knew something was wrong and asked again. He explained that Chris had passed out during formation and that one of the mother’s there had taken him to eat something. (Had I offered to fix breakfast? Yes. Had Chris refused? Yes, again. From then on, he ate breakfast.) Chris went on the trip after assuring me he felt fine after eating.
Through the years, whether we are separated by a few miles or several states, I always seem to know when Chris is ill or in crisis. He is used to me calling with a “What’s wrong?” instead of a traditional greeting. The same connection exists with my daughters to a lesser degree. They are healthy and relatively happy so we haven’t had many opportunities to check it, thank goodness!
Mother’s Intuition is what tells a Mom the meaning of her baby’s cry and what needs to be done, whether it is to change a diaper, feed a hungry little one, or just cuddle and comfort a tired, fussy toddler. It helps her feel that something is just “not right” long before symptoms of a cold or illness manifest.
Mother’s Intuition does more than see illness or crisis. It also enables a receptive mother to know the right time to help a child learn greater responsibility by making decisions and learning to accept and live with the consequences of those decisions. A mother knows that one child may be able to watch scary movies at age eight while another may not be able to handle it until ten or eleven. Mothers know instinctively that some children need to be held back a little from some things until they are mature enough to discern the dangers. A five year old is not mature enough to bicycle to school, but a nine year old should be able to safely do so. Some children need to be encouraged to try new things; some children are risk takers from birth. Some children are ready for the separation from Mom and the school experience at four and some children cannot cope with that separation until five or six.
Mother’s Intuition allows us to use an inner knowing at assist our children in growing and learning about the world around them. It helps us to keep them safe while letting then stretch their wings and explore their environments. We can know if a child is sick or just in need of a nap. We can tell if Johnny has just had a bad day at school or if something deeper is going on.
Intuition is there for a reason and is available any time of the day or night. ”It is a good thing”, to quote Martha.
Sunday, May 11 is Mother’s Day. Please remember not only your own Mother, but all the others who have shared those nurturing and special times with you. Mothers come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and even genders. Embrace them all.
God/Goddess bless Moms everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day!
