KINGSTON, Jamaica – Member of Parliament for St Andrew South West, Dr Angela Brown Burke, is encouraging mothers to focus on nurturing their children as part of their parenting journey.
Brown Burke made the remarks during a Mother’s Day event held at her Caribbean Palm office.
In her address to the gathering, Brown Burke acknowledged the challenges of motherhood, noting that the role often comes with uncertainty.
“I want to give a big shout out to all our mothers on Mother’s Day. And, you know, the thing about motherhood is that sometimes as you’re going through, you’re not sure whether or not you’re doing a good job,” she said.
“I just want you to know, as long as you pour out love, as long as you’re understanding, even if it’s not always perfect, you’re not perfect as a mother. But if every day you start with the notion that this is your child or the child that you have chosen, show them love, help to build up who they are so that they have faith and confidence in themselves. And that’s the most we can do as mothers.”
Brown Burke also touched on the cultural significance of Mother’s Day in Jamaica, highlighting why it tends to receive more recognition than Father’s Day.
“You always know who the mother is, right? Even when there is doubt about, you know, who the father is. In many of our homes, mothers and grandmothers are really the staple in the home,” she said.
She further noted that this trend is partly rooted in the historical structure of many Jamaican families, where single-parent households led by women have been common. However, she emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of both parents.
“Here in South West St Andrew, I try to make sure I do as much for the fathers as I do for the mothers, because I’m conscious of that. Because the truth is that both mother and father each play a totally different role for our boys and for our girls, and they need both in their lives.”