Childcare

How you parent has a lot to do with the way you were parented. A woman takes some of her parenting cues from her female ancestors, positive and negative.

From the time a baby is born, women gather around, forming an instinctive female support system. And offering advice for every little decision. Many of us hear our grandmothers and our aunties as well as our mothers in the internal dialogue of "how do I best care for my child?" -- those female family voices that live deep in our own experience of being mothered.

Astrologically, ancestry and roots are the I.C., and the Fourth House.

A good parent takes a pattern and does her best with it. These days, with more creative partnerships, the role of caregiver is often shared more than it has been in the past. Difficult decisions can be hashed out with input from both parents. And hands-on quality time with the kids is more of a priority in a father's life.

Ultimately, Ceres helps us come up with our own definition of what it takes to raise a child to mature into a good citizen.

Whether a man is in the picture or not, a maternal instinct is a separate and distinct force. Many of us have heard the phrase, "a face only a mother could love." A mother's love, or the lack of it, is a fundamental influence in every person's life.

More on Parenting:

Parenting
Single Mother

Recommended Links on Child Care:

iVillage Parent Soup Channel
iVillage Parentsplace Channel

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