Guardian Moms

In my earliest memories I see my mother’s face with her smiles and laughter. Later on, it was my grandmother, G-mom. She was there to stay with my sisters and me after we walked home from school each day. My mom had to begin working again after my parents’ stormy divorce. I was the youngest of three sisters and had just turned six. It was G-mom that kept us all “level” over the next few years.

She and my grandfather were there to make sure the three of us stayed on a regular schedule. We often stayed at their home on the weekends until my mom returned to being her old self again. I know she appreciated the things her mother and father did for all of us. I think G-mom stood for “Guardian Mom.” She refused to let the things happening around us do us any harm.

I had friends from school who were often cared for by an adoring auntie or a compassionate neighbor. They made sure the kids had snacks, stories, and their homework finished before Mom or Dad came home from work. These women were guardians who stood in the gap to support single parents who had no support system.

Are you such a woman? Do you know others who are the caregivers and the helpers that are making a difference in the lives of children? Please don’t forget to celebrate them this Mother’s Day!

If you are a Guardian Mom who is involved in the lives of children, remember that you can bring fun activities into a child’s environment to share a new experience and engage with them as you discuss that experience. The 3 Es are environment, experience, and engagement. This is the way children learn! 

This is an easy and fun activity that would make a wonderful Mother’s Day card. Help kids to create a card with their original design on the front! Their mothers will be thrilled.

Supplies

• Liquid waterbased paint—different colors
• Small cups—that won’t tip easily
• String—cut into 18 in. pieces
• Large book—that you don’t mind getting a few paint splatters on (maybe a catalog)
• Printer paper

Instructions