When you are a mother, 98% of your job is herding.  A shepherdess gently cares for her sheep with concern and love. In the same way, mothers work tirelessly to preserve the lives and well being of these  little ones entrusted to our care.  We discover that they need us, and they want us to guide them.

The job of herding doesn't just apply to moms with more than one child. It starts with the first, then grows. When the first child becomes mobile, you notice that you no longer do that purposeful career-woman look-straight-ahead-walk. You find yourself analyzing where your little one might hide or wander to, or what she might pick up to eat. You notice yourself playing out the worst calamities in your mind, and then making every effort to prevent them from coming to life. Irons get put in the back of your closet. Knives are kept at the back of the tall cupboard. Protecting your children's innocence becomes a priority. You guide your children's eyes away from inappropriate images. You teach your children to be cautious around strangers. You find it hard to let a babysitter take your place, even for a 2 hour movie. You guard your children like no one else can.


When more children come along, a mother's care does not diminish, but grows to fit each child, This is when herding gets more complicated. You are forced to multitask, predicting what each child's whim might compel them to do at any given time. If the window is left open, will my four year old try to fly from it? If the lost pitbull comes to visit our house, which child will want to pet it, and how do I teach the child to be cautious, but not irrationally fearful? If one child is missing, the eldest becomes like a sheepdog, carefully guarding those left behind until you find the lost child and rejoice.

We pour our souls into the care of our children, often going cold and hungry merely because we forget to put on our coat or eat a bite of lunch. We do this without monetary compensation. We do it because it is who we are, and what we were made for. The moment we deliver that first child into the light of day, we begin that job. We do this work because we love it, and because we know that is means something. If we were not doing it, who would? We can't imagine, and so we herd. We train our children to respect authority, and show them that we are there to guide them through life. We make mistakes, and learn painfully from them. We always come out of trials with greater respect for the responsibility and joy that is motherhood. When you are a mother, you are the ultimate sheperdess. And you are loved for it.