Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
Themes in children literature
Themes in children literature
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Themes in children literature
Themes in children literature
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
There is no single way to be a mother. Nor will any two parenting styles be exactly the same. The poems “wishes for sons” by Lucille Clifton, “Good Bones,” by Maggie Smith, and “Buen Esqueleto” by Natalie Scenters-Zapico make this fact clear. Clifton’s poem beseeches sons to understand women’s experiences as they relate to bodily functions. Smith’s poem depicts a mother protecting her children from the horrors of the world, and Scenters-Zapico’s speaker, in contrast, does not try to hide the world from her children but shows it to them plainly in order to protect them.
A mother is a person who loves and cares for their child unconditionally and will put her their needs before her own. When her child is sick, she will stay beside them no matter what. A mother is always there when someone is down and needs someone to talk to. However, in the stories, “The Rocking Horse Winner” and ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,” both authors portray the mothers, Hester and Jane, somewhat similar when describing their relationship with their child. The stories’ definition of “Mother” are described in a negative manner that not many readers can relate to such neglectful behavior.
Parenting is difficult. The responsibility of leading by example for the next generation is terrifying for the majority of parents. At the very least for the ones that care about the welfare of their child, not only in the present but more so in the future. Parenting and the fears related are some of the themes discussed in the short story Re: Summary by Rodge Glass.
The Struggle Between Life and Death Many times a mother is someone to look up to as tenderhearted, or inspirational, but what if instead she is abusive, and emotionally unstable? Furthermore, there are many stories out there relating to the concept of abusive mothers. One of the most sorrowful, and heart wrenching abusive stories takes places in the autobiography called A Child Called “It” written by Dave Pelzer. Dave, also known as David, shows much admiration in the book since he has to withstand all of the barbaric punishments his mother gives him at such a young age.
Hope Edelman’s “The Myth of Co-Parenting,” focuses on Edelman’s marriage falling apart when her husband spends the majority of his waking hours at work. Edelman describes the hardships she faces while raising her daughter for almost two years with an absentee husband. She is left assuming the role of a traditional wife; cleaning the house, stocking the fridge, and taking care of her daughter. Co-parenting is not only hard for the woman in Edelman’s instance, but is also difficult for the husband in Eric Bartels’ “My Problem with Her Anger.” Bartels examines the scrutiny he is under from his wife for performing seemingly easy tasks incorrectly.
Many descriptive words are used throughout the essay “Family Counterculture” by Ellen Goodman, to explain how hard it is to raise children. “Mothers and fathers are expected to screen virtually every aspect of their children’s lives.” This is one of the ways she defends the point that parenting has changed and has gotten harder. Even though parenting has changed “all you need to join is a child.”
The way one nurtures a child can either help or hinder their development. In the short story “FAQs” by Allegra Goodman published in 2017, Melanie and Dan’s daughter Phoebe has just come home from homesteading, and they are navigating the difficult territory of how to reconnect with and support their daughter. “No Bikini” by Ivan Coyote follows the story of a young child and their journey through swimming lessons and hiding their true self from their mother. Comparing these two coming-of-age stories in terms of parenting styles, parents’ relationship with the children, and the child’s responses to the parenting suggests that Melanie and Dan from the story “FAQs” by Allegra Goodman help their child’s developing confidence while the mother from
In both Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel and Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the role of motherhood is emphasized. Everybody has a version of what they picture a mother to be, but some qualities, such as being nurturing and protective, can be agreed upon. In these two books the main roles of motherhood, protector and emotional supporter, are both explored. One of the roles of motherhood is to be a protector to the children, especially when a father isn’t in the picture.
Parenting has been a long practice that desires and demands unconditional sacrifices. Sacrifice is something that makes motherhood worthwhile. The mother-child relationship can be a standout amongst the most convoluted, and fulfilling, of all connections. Women are fuel by self-sacrifice and guilt - but everyone is the better for it. Their youngsters, who feel adored; whatever is left of us, who are saved disagreeable experiences with adolescents raised without affection or warmth; and mothers most importantly.
The maternal bond is considered the strongest bond two humans can have. Since birth, a child is enamoured with his mother, the gentle soul who brought him into the world. Nothing compares to a mother’s unconditional love, as she forms an inseparable and essential bond with her little angel. Of course, not every child is as fortunate. If the parent that brings an innocent child into the world neglects their duties, the child faces adversities.
Best of the Worst Parenting is never perfect. Every parents questions whether they are raising their child correctly, and no parent ever feels like they are doing the right thing. With no clear distinction between good and bad parenting, it is usually left to personal preferences and judgements to decide which parents have adequately raised their children and which have failed. When a parent so call “fails,” often it is the children with their strong will and determination to survive that collectively raise themselves. In Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing, Leonie, one of the narrators and the mother of another narrator, Jojo, is not the most caring, hands-on mother, but is loving of her children nevertheless.
In the short story, “My Parent’s Bedroom,” by Uwem Akpan, the most important message expressed to the reader is that it 's human nature for a mother to protect her children to the best of her ability. In the beginning of the story, Maman tries to protect Monique and Jean by telling them things to do that will keep them safe later. She has “kept us indoors since yesterday,” (1). She realizes how dangerous things are, so she wants to keep them sheltered and safe inside. She instructs Monique not to “turn on any lights tonight,” (1) and “remember to lock the door behind me,” (5).
I've always thought to myself, is childcare really that important? Do we as staff at a childcare facility really make that much of a difference in lives around our communities? Over the last year or so I’ve managed to prove to myself that childcare really is important and it benefits peoples everyday lives. Childcare is important because we all play a big role in children’s and their parents lives.
Rainer Maria Rilke, author of “From Childhood,” and Alden Nowlan, author of “Mother and Son,” are both understanding of the fact that everyone has a mother—a woman from which each individual in existence was brought onto the earth. Through their literary works of art, their knowledge that the biological tie between mother and child is something that all human beings possess is evident, as well as their understanding that any further relationship past this biological connection is in the hands of each individual mother. “From Childhood” is an account of a mother and son rapport in which the mother is the driving force that stifles and smolders her child’s flame. “Mother and Son” delves into another relationship between mother and son, yet this
The only woman in the world who will still cradle you in her arms even if you've stabbed her loving heart is your mother. The short story “Teenage Wasteland” by Anne Tyler is about guilt and reveals mother’s feelings towards her children. A loving mother will feel guilty for anything that happens to her children, and even for that how they feel. Mothers is the person who cares the most about her child. The story “Teenage Wasteland” tells about a common situation many families experience: a misunderstood child creates problems to his parents, not by fault, but because he feels unwanted.