Reflections on the importance of Mothering Sunday

For Mothering Sunday, some advice to mothers from a 1912 edition of The Spectator.

Be with him yourself as much as you can… I have no fear of your being a fussy mother, worrying him with continual attentions, but I have just the slightest fear lest you should entertain that silly idea that seeing much of a mother makes a boy unmanly. Kipling says that in nine out of ten cases a man calls on his mother’s name at the hour of death. I cannot answer that this is so, but if it be it is of glorious significance for motherhood. After years and years of the world’s buffeting it is the one who first knew him, who first clasped him in her arms, who counts. Therefore do not be afraid of influencing him too much…There will come a time when in boyish sorrow of heart he will come to you for consolation and help.