What is the definition of a mother? Someone who gives birth,
carries a child for another (surrogacy), adopts a child; always nurtures her
young one and cares for him/ her, at times becoming the strict teacher but always
has nothing but love in her heart. There is not a word that can suffice what
being a mother is? She must wear several hats at each point, that of a
caretaker, a nurse at times, a babysitter, a chef, a school bus driver and so
many more. And she must do this in addition to being her own individual self,
while maintaining other simultaneous relationships of a wife, daughter,
daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and so much more.

According to the dictionary a mother as a noun form is “a
woman in relation to the child or children” which is not the right definition
if you ask me. The verb form is even absurd “bring up (a child) with care and
affection and or give birth to.” In context to this if you search for father
the noun you get a search result as “a man in relation to his child or children”
but the verb is horrendous “cause a pregnancy resulting in the birth of (a
child)”. So, the primary responsibility of a man is to cause a pregnancy and
that of a woman is to bring up the child with affection?

Not at all. This narrative needs to change with us, the
women of today raising the boys and girls of tomorrow. Do not be afraid to question
anything and everything that does not suit well with you. Take forwards only
what you deem to be truly and wholly that which is and will be beneficial to
you and the future generations. We need to achieve this by involving our
partners the kids that we are raising for tomorrow to see equity amongst everything
else. Equality is by giving everyone an equal opportunity but that one may not
be useful if it is not catered to their specific criteria. That’s where equity
comes in – being fair and impartial.

The generation before us was used to subduing women, suppressing
them, and keeping them glued to the kitchen and caretaking. This is not to say
that if that is a choice even today it should be. But I know many ambitious
women who wear multiple hats, break norms, and sometimes do things of such
value yet no one ever notices them. To them I salute and to them I want to
reach out and say keep doing you, the fruits of the labor will harbor in its
own time.

Of course every generation has women supporters that have
strived to open avenues for women and it has taken a long time to reach here. Therefore,
we must not forget that and only take it forwards.

And I know we live in a very modern world today but what is
reflected in the one definition mentioned above is what is still defining
societies. This narrative must change with us as women of today raising the
young ones of tomorrow, it could be in the form of children our own, children
in a school we teach, grandkids we babysit, children in daycare and everyone
involved. A mother is someone who no doubt will love you the most because you
grew inside her even if not her womb, in her mind in her heart. But a father is
also equally responsible. I am very glad I have a supportive husband, but I
expected none the less because I have a father who is very supportive of women
at least in my eyes. I also have people who believe that women’s place needs to
be shown to them in terms of manipulation and gaslighting and to that I want
you as readers to understand that being today’s women you do not need to
entertain it. Let them be entertained with whoever wants to entertain them. It
should be your onus to accept nothing but the best for your self now and the
future so that you can give  your best
now and in the future.