While the responsibility of mothering remains, there is a tremendous difference between the 21st-century mother and those of the past.
In our area, we continually salute the late Asberry Stewart. She and her husband, the late Rev. J. J. Stewart, pastor and first lady of the Greater New Hope Baptist Church, were the parents of 24 children.
That is a record that will probably never be broken for our area. Mrs. Stewart bore 24 children for the same man without depending on government assistance. The Stewarts were not rich and had no advanced technology to help them but were fiercely independent and God-fearing.
The Stewart family was poor by government standards, but their children never knew it.
She was an excellent home manager, wasted little, and learned to save, organize and make ends meet.
Their children did well in school; many graduated from college and became professionals. They obeyed the law and attended church regularly.
Until she became physically unable, Mrs. Stewart was a strong mother who enjoyed her children. She laughed at their antics, praised their accomplishments, and when they failed, she prayed for them and put them in God’s hand.
In her old age, her children came from all over the country to care for her in shifts, relieving the home-based sibling. Finally, they carried her away to live with one child or another until the Lord carried her home.
Asberry Stewart gave us a living example of how to mother in the “old school” way. Her children showed us how to love our mothers in ways that count.
The 21st Century mother has the same challenge, but the playing field has changed.
Asberry Stewart had 24 children; it was not unusual for mothers to give birth to six to eight children in her day. In her mother’s day, giving birth to twelve to 15 children was not uncommon. Today, the average family in the U.S. has two to three children.
Asberry Stewart used real diapers that could be reused. The 21st Century mom only uses disposable diapers called pampers that are expensive.
There were many hand-me-downs in the Stewart household; the 21st Century mom wants new things that are photo-ready for social media.
The old school mom used Pet and Carnation milk to feed babies; the 21st Century mom needs expensive formulas.
The old school mom used traditional remedies for sickness, but the 21st Century mom downloads an app, Googles, or watches Youtube videos for advice.
The old school mom spent time talking to their children and reading them stories; the 21st Century mom lets the television do the talking, and Sesame Street do the teaching.
Of course, there are thousands of 21st Century moms who still believe in the old-school way.
They won’t have 24 children or anything close to it, but the personal sacrifices of good mothers are the same regardless of the generation.
Good mothers share a maternal instinct that is the same for one child or 24 children.
What they give their children is love.
For her example, we salute Asberry Stewart.
For their love and sacrifice, we salute the mothers of every generation.
