Mother, comfort, safe space – All these words are synonyms. Yes, moms are like that – their hugs are simply adorable, and their presence makes us feel happy and secured. That’s why it is naturally planned by the nature that kids spend initial years of their life with mom.

The Comfort of a Mother’s Presence: A Natural Beginning

A mother’s unconditional love & care helps a child understand who the person is whom they can look up to for every need & challenge. She is the pillar of support for them in every step they move ahead.

Mother’s emotional availability during the early years influences a child’s future ability to form secure and meaningful relationships. Priyanka Priyadarshini, Early Childhood Educator gives an important point saying, “When a mother consistently responds to her child’s needs with warmth and reliability, the child learns that others are trustworthy and they themselves are worthy of love. They understand that the relationships are a safe space for autonomy and connection. This sets stage for healthy and meaningful relationships.”

Emotional Availability: The Foundation of Secure Relationships

Yashoda Sharma, Account Manager Communication Casa LLP further adds relevant points to the insight of Priyanka adding, “A mother’s emotional engagement during the early years is vital in influencing a child’s future ability to form secure and meaningful relationships. By being responsive and supportive, mothers help them to manage their emotions. The foundational support helps children develop essential social skills, like – empathy and communication, fostering a sense of security and self-esteem.

We are so, so & so…….gratefully amazed by the wisdom of experts. We totally agree that children of emotionally available mothers are more likely to establish healthy and confident relationships throughout their lives. When you demonstrate the healthy ways to express and handle feelings, mothers give their kids the tools to create strong and enduring connections with people. Ultimately, this early emotional guidance sets them up for a lifetime of healthy relationships.

Instilling Curiosity, Resilience & Ambition Through Maternal Guidance

Mothers are simply awesome. No matter, how much they are busy with their careers and other duties and responsibilities, they are always there to inculcate ambition, curiosity and confidence in a child’s formative years. Sneha John Bothsa, Manager, Tech Consulting, EY cites a valid remark. She says that when mothers are the backbone and support a child’s interest or points them to various hobbies or activities, children develop more interest and curiosity in their surroundings.

Again, Yashoda gives a compelling perspective, “Maternal guidance in a child’s formative years inspire them to ask questions and seek answers. When mothers model ambitious and curious behaviour themselves, they demonstrate the value of hardwork and lifelong learning. They teach children how to deal with setbacks and failures, which helps build resilience and confidence. Through these approaches, early maternal guidance lays a strong foundation for a child future success and personal growth.

Undoubtedly, a safe and supportive environment lets the child ask questions, makes small mistakes, explore new experiences without fear of being judged. Modelling problem solving & learning helps the child build a growth mindset & understand how to cope setbacks. The child develops a stable sense of self-worth, making them more willing to take on challenges without fear of shame or rejection.

The Impact of Inconsistent Maternal Presence: Challenges & Solutions

Now, it’s time to put a torchlight on the common emotional or behavioural challenges seen in children who lack maternal presence or consistency during the early developmental phase. Priyadarshini describes this situation with clarity and sensitivity without any biasness. She speaks out her observations, “When a child lacks maternal presence or experiences inconsistent caregiving during the early developmental years, it can disrupt their emotional and psychological development in several ways. She emphasises upon the attachment difficulties which can show up as clinginess, excessive need of reassurance or emotional withdrawal.”

“Emotional insecurity becomes another big problem. Children develop a sense of unpredictability in their relationships, leading to anxiety, fear of abandonment or difficulty trusting others. Low self-esteem can also be noticed. Children start believing that they are unworthy of love or attention, which affects their confidence and sense of identity. Last, but not the least, inconsistent maternal presence can limit opportunities to learn empathy, cooperation and healthy conflict resolution, making peer relationships challenging.” She further adds.

Yashoda concludes the topic powerfully: “Children find difficulties to build healthy relationships who lack maternal love in their initial phase. This situation can lead to potential long-term effects on mental health as well. Over time, the unresolved emotional gaps can contribute to anxiety, depression, and challenges in handling life’s stresses.”

But not to worry, Sneha John Bothsa gives a light of hope. She reminds us: “It’s possible that children who lack maternal presence can still develop into good humans if they get similar involvement from their fathers, grandparents, or other caregivers.”

The Call for Emotional Stability in Children

Mothers play an important role in ensuring emotional stability in children especially. Let the system not fail them. If there is high time, then it’s the duty of others to step in and fill the emotional void in formative years. If this is missing, children could develop to be withdrawn, introverted individuals who are not comfortable in their surroundings and in forming normal relationships with others.