M Is for Mama: A Rebellion Against Mediocre Motherhood

by Abbie Halberstadt

The culture of mediocre motherhood teaches that “bribing your kids to leave you alone” is standard. How else can you get a moment’s peace? At the same time, I see many mothers concerned with not being able to give their kids what “they deserve” (things like name-brand shoes, the most coveted toys, and the most expensive education) from a material standpoint. Neither focus speaks to the heart of what the Bible teaches about what we deserve (“the wages of sin is death,” as Romans 6:23 points out so clearly). Both fail to highlight the importance of instilling and reinforcing godly character in our children, which is the only way to gain a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 ESV). Not only that, but the emphasis on worldly goods only underscores that attitude of entitlement I mentioned earlier. We’re all capable of falling into that trap, but children are especially prone to it, and it’s our job as their mothers to lift their eyes from the world’s riches and direct their gaze upon Jesus and others.