Mothering is like that, a net of living threads to lovingly encircle what it cannot possibly hold, what will eventually move through it.
Meaning
Mothering means surrounding a child with love and support while knowing they will eventually move beyond your reach.
About the author
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a Potawatomi botanist, professor and author of Braiding Sweetgrass (2013), known for blending Indigenous knowledge with plant science.
Why This Quote Matters
This is one of the sharper things Robin Wall Kimmerer has said about Love. The lesson resists shortcuts—Mothering means surrounding a child with love and support while knowing they will eventually move beyond your reach.
In today’s fast-paced world, that perspective can help you stay focused and make calmer decisions. Small and steady beats sudden and short-lived, every time.
How to Apply This Quote in Life
Write Mothering means surrounding a child with love and support while knowing they will eventually move beyond your reach. on a sticky note and put it somewhere you’ll actually look.
Expect resistance in week one; that’s normal, not a signal to quit. A short, repeatable version beats an ambitious one you abandon by Friday. One step, repeated, is the entire strategy.
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