Want to see the best fight of your life? Want to see a petite small framed person box a 6ft giant of a person? Want to witness a woman body slam a man?

Lay a finger on her child and you will witness a championship resulting in the favor of the underdog. Misplace just one hair on lil Johnny’s head and watch out because here she comes.

Know any mamas like this? Or is this you? If so, heeeyyyy there mama bear! In my Wendy Williams voice, “How YOU doing?”

As a mother, I truly understand these imaginative scenarios as I believe my reactions would result in the same manner when it comes to my little ones. Fear has no position to take a seat when it comes to protecting our babies. When you hear us say that we will lay our life down for them, that is more than just a notion.

Mamas will go to great lengths to protect their children. Mamas will protect them at all costs too. Rather right or rather they are wrong, mamas will defend.

Ever see a mother at the school in a heated discussion with the principal with all the evidence reflecting the disobedient actions of her child? Ever heard the plea of a mother for the release of her child from police custody after he or she has committed a serious crime?

Such situations aren’t done in disregard for laws or rules or regulations. It’s a reflection of her drive to protect her child. Sometimes the hardest parenting job is protecting our kids from themselves. It’s not that we are blind to their behaviors; but it’s more so that the desire to protect them is so strong. The need to make sure they are safe, warm, and feed is massive. The need to make sure they aren’t hurt physically or emotionally is enormous.

On the outside looking in, mommies look naive and stupid. But she isn’t any of that. She is just a mama bear on the prowl. Everything she stands for is crumbling and the only response she has is to protect or provide by any means necessary. She may never admit it out loud but she knows the real deal concerning her child. But in the moment, she is selfishly fighting to have her way.

Release her child, accept him back in class, give her a higher grade, don’t lock him up…

Today is my son’s 8th birthday and over the years, one of the hardest positions were those where we were the recipients of bad news on his behalf. My heart would pound to hear or even read a negative remark, which isn’t often but when it does happen, it’s a hard pill to swallow.

The news is always hard to accept but I’ve always said I will not be THAT mom. So I’ve had to battle my need to protect him to make sure I understood the entire situation in order to help him. I pay attention. I observe. I ask questions. And I keep my cool.

He is my baby. I want him to feel safe and covered but I know if I don’t accept the criticisms, I will cripple him when he receives it. If I fight all the wrong battles when it comes to him, chances are great that he won’t respect rules and boundaries as a child and on into his adulthood.

Mommies if we aren’t careful, we will be responsible for creating a society of men and women with no regard towards the laws that govern us. If we aren’t careful, constructive criticism will be internalized as negative feedback. Bad behaviors won’t have any consequences which will lead into the schoolhouse, the workplace, and even within their own family homes.

Mama bears do have a place in this society in which we live. Mama bears have a job to do. Mama, you have ONE job! And that is to protect your babies. But mama lets make sure we aren’t picking a fight where isn’t one.

Thank you for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

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