What is an Earth Mother?

In line with this months Green Lifestyle theme, I want to ask you this question – “What is an Earth Mother?”.

Why? Because I’ve been called it recently by a few people in unrelated circumstances. I’m not sure if it’s meant as a compliment, or a tease. Do you aspire to be an Earth Mother? Because I am who I am, and do what I do because I think it’s right for my family and the world around me.

 

These are things that may have caused people to call me an Earth Mother recently, through conversations we’ve had, or issues we’ve discussed:

  • I breastfed both my sons until they were about 9 months old
  • I used resuseable nappies for both children, and have to admit to not being very good with disposables as I pull the tapes off!
  • I cook from scratch, and show the children how to create meals and menus
  • I use left over food to make new meals
  • I love to garden, and would love to grow more vegetables
  • I buy Fair Trade when I can and promote it to others
  • I recycle, even at work. This includes paper, plastics, clothing, books & food waste for compost
  • I buy local when I can, and prefer to buy organic
  • I play games with my children on long journeys, and/or encourage them to make up stories or songs
  • I love walking and camping and being outdoors
  • I enjoy crafts, including making Christmas cards and gifts for others if appropriate
  • I make the children’s birthday cakes. We have their birthday parties at home, or organise them ourselves around our budget and their desires

So, is there anything here that qualifies me to be an Earth Mother? What does that term mean to you?

Someone I spoke to this week said it was a beautiful description of me. She said, “It’s fantastic! It’s about caring for the World, and your family – doing the things you can, using the earth’s resources, yet protecting them for future generations.”

With last week’s media reports of the research that said parents bought gadgets for their children, it got me thinking about these recent discussions with people, and the label people are giving me. Needless to say, we don’t feel pressure to give our children ‘things’, even when they tell us they’re the only child in the class without x, y, or z.

I’m sure we’re not alone in this, but does this mean that I’m an Earth Mother? Because I set boundaries for my children, and keep to them, does this set me apart from what other parents are doing? Surely not?

So please help me! Please tell me what you first think of when someone says “Earth Mother” to you. I won’t be offended, I’m just trying to understand the world around me a little better.

Thank you 😉

8 Comments

  1. I thought of you last week, when there was all the chatter around parents not spending enough time with their children and I thought “there’s only one mum who springs to mind instantly, that will disagree with this – TJ.” I really did. So yes, in many ways, I think you are an earth mother. I also think many people will make assumptions about you because you don’t have a TV. That’s a big thing for lots of people – including me! I wonder how you all get by without one, when it’s time to prepare dinner, or for calming down time before bed. Now I sound like someone who uses the TV as a babysitter – and I do sometimes!!

    The other thing I’m thinking, is that you’re also quite a strict mum, to my mind. Which is interesting as I’ve never met your boys, but just through our conversations about parenting and life in general, so perhaps we should be looking to make sure that you’re not assuming that Earth Mother means tree hugging hippy who lets her kids run wild, feral and have no discipline. Your boys know what they can get away with, with you, or with their dad – and this differs, as we’ve discussed many times.

    I have to say, that if you’re in the minority as an Earth Mother, then I’d be happy with it, because it’s a good place to be. I’m working on moving into your camp, on my terms, and not on the basis of UNICEF or a think tank telling me I need to spend 10 minutes playing with my boys!

  2. Very interesting! Having met you a couple of times, and seen the online phenomenon that is you and your business!, i would not have associated you with this stereotype. Now that i know a bit more about your attitudes and home life, i can see why people have said this, (you could also group these under the banner ‘green’ i guess!)but what i’m interested in is why we feel the need to resort to stereotypes; why they are created and how they survive and continue.
    My first thoughts about this term was that it is sad that it is often said in a derogatory way, as if to imply a lack of discipline or work ethic, or somehow being dreamy and faintly ridiculous. (im not saying the people who said it to you meant it this way!!) As with ‘isms’, someone can be perpetuating a negative stereotype without personally meaning it as a direct insult , often ‘saying it without thinking’ or just reflecting what they hear around them. But this is one of the main ways that they carry on! So without getting drawn into the negatives, i thought, lets google it (that tried and trusted, totally relaible method of research!!!)- and surprisingly, nothing that negative came up! I particularly love the following definition from the online Cambridge Dictionary, which makes me feel that i have been aspiring to be an earth mother for a long time without realising it!! I mean, wow, who wouldnt!!?
    “a woman who seems full of emotional and spiritual understanding, and seems suited to having and loving children.”
    So, if you go by this you should be deeply flattered at being called this i would say!
    Just one more moan/ thought provoker though- why do terms like ‘yummy mummy’, ‘earth mother’, etc become used as stereotypes and bandied about much more easily than any terms for men; particularly as fathers. I cant think of a male equivalent except maybe ‘new man’. The feminist in me wants to get angry about womens’chocies being openly critiscised and women being talked about in a derogatory way much more easily than men. However, the calm yogi in me is so loving that definition above, and is identifying with TJ’s ‘list’, so i say, lets be brave and start calling ourSELVES Earth mothers , and be proud of it!!
    Yes, i would like to bring my children up in a way that is natural, loving, respectful of the environment, resistant of the pressures of consumerism, and which instills them with the confidence and sense of freedom to go out and do great things in the world and spread the love and the values they have been given. Therefore, i shall proudly call myself henceforth, an EARTH MOTHER!!! Will you join me?xx

  3. I have been called an earth mother all my life. But my ways are diffrent from everyone elses. I am a peaceful person one who thinks of others before myself, one who knows and sences when others are in need etc. if that is what an eartj mother is I am happy about it

  4. Dearest,

    Earth Mother only begins with self and discovery of self. This discovery is believed to begin when a woman’s children are close to being of age of acknowledgement and accountability. It may or may not progress depending on your desire to progress spiritually. Being green and caring for the earth is only the beginning aspect of being an Earth Mother. There are many other facets including caring for all living beings, and creations, but most important of all the connection may only be made complete through spiritual connection with the one true God. Being an Earth Mother also means when called upon to do so she must let go of her earthly family and connections to be placed in a position where she may perform what is needed for her spiritual family. Not every child-bearing woman will possess the Earth Woman level. Blessed be your days.

  5. Dear Lady , I was married to an “Earth Mother ” for 43 years and oh how I miss her ! Now in my 83 rd year I can assure that for any man whose privileged to be married to an “Earth Mother ” is blessed indeed . Yes , I think of her every day and wish I could kiss her once more . May you be loved and cared for all your days . Peter .

  6. Thanks for sharing Peter. Whilst you can’t kiss your wife every day now, you can remember all the wonderful times you had together, and whilst not the same as sharing new ones, is a blessing in itself. Wishing you well.

  7. I have always considered myself an Earthmother and I embrace the lifestyle. I have a Native heart and Osage, Lakota and Seminole in my genes (along with a lot of French, nordic, Scottish, and English.) I said yes to almost everything on your list. I use herbs, food and homeopathy to cure my ills. I am also a tree hugging hippie but I consider that is part of my Earthmother ways. I even had the domain for awhile. I sure was more on the strict but fair side raising my three kids on my own. My kids could not date til they were 16. They could not drive til they were 18, due to the vast difference in mortality rates between those ages. It proves to me more maturity is needed before they get behind the wheel of a car.) They actually had to do chores and I used charts and others visual guides to help. I raised really good kids and I am so proud of them. Hands on is the key. I knew all about them because we talked about everything. Never get to a point where you dont listen to them. They are the focus. They are our future.

  8. Thanks Julia. Sounds like you’ve done a great job with your Earth Mother skills. I totally agree that listening is key. To me, that’s the focus we should all have.

    I shared some thoughts about listening here,

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