Making a career out of motherhood
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Encouragement for mothers is what Myrna R. Condie hopes to contribute as California's Mother of the Year state representative for 2009.
"Motherhood isn't as popular right now," said Sister Condie, of the Stevenson Ranch Ward, Valencia California Stake. "The world would like to put mothers out into the work force. I would like to make motherhood popular."
Along with making motherhood popular, Sister Condie recognizes the important role mothers play in children's lives and plans to promote making a career out of motherhood.
"I think motherhood is a wonderful thing and the most valuable career," she said. "Motherhood incorporates all of the diplomas given out in college. You have to be a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, a cook and nutritionist."
Many skills are needed as a mother, but one of the most crucial is to listen, Sister Condie said.
"I think we can learn a lot from our children if we listen. We need to really listen to them and hear their feelings and their thoughts," she said. "Then we will know where to start when we guide them."
Sister Condie and her husband, Gary, have one daughter and three grandchildren, and have also had several other children in their home through foster care.
"As we have had foster children, they all come with different levels of values because they come from different homes," she said. "You have to start where they are at, and show them a better way in some situations."
One of the most important parts of parenting, she said, is praise.
"Children need more praise rather than criticism, and if you concentrate on the good you can do that," she said.
Although motherhood can be quite difficult at times, Sister Condie knows how important patience and love are to motherhood.
"You can't ever give up on your children," Sister Condie said. "It is so important to teach them while they are young. … But there comes a time that the child becomes responsible."
"All have their free agency. You have to let them have their free agency. Some of them learn only by the consequences they have to pay."
This is part of a series featuring LDS women who are their states' Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year representatives.The features will alternate between Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year state representatives.
