In 2006, Dr. Brenda Hunter wrote her book Home By Choice and investigated the problems she was seeing with children. She found out that those who don’t have full-time mothers are much more insecure and mentally unstable. Children were meant to be raised by their mothers, contrary to popular opinion.

Now, there is a post going viral written by Victoria Prooday that states the silent tragedy affecting children:

“There is a silent tragedy developing right now, in our homes, and it concerns our most precious jewels – our children. Through my work with hundreds of children and families as an occupational therapist, I have witnessed this tragedy unfolding right in front of my eyes. Our children are in a devastating emotional state! Talk to teachers and professionals who have been working in the field for the last 15 years. You will hear concerns similar to mine. Moreover, in the past 15 years, researchers have been releasing alarming statistics on a sharp and steady increase in kids’ mental illness, which is now reaching epidemic proportions:

1 in 5 children has mental health problems
43% increase in ADHD
37% increase in teen depression
200% increase in suicide rate in kids 10-14 years old”

Here are the reasons Victoria Prooday gave for these problems:

Digitally distracted parents
Indulgent parents who let kids “Rule the world”
Sense of entitlement rather than responsibility
Inadequate sleep and unbalanced nutrition
Sedentary indoor lifestyle
Endless stimulation, technological babysitters, instant gratification, and absence of dull moments

The solutions she gives to these problems are great and useful but she somehow missed the most important ones: mothers being keepers at home and staying married to the father of their children until death do they part but, of course, this is not politically correct to say even among most Christians. Children need and want their mothers home full time to bond with them and they need their fathers’ love and stability. Their mothers and fathers are the ones called to teach, train, nurture, and discipline them.

Dr. Brenda Hunter wrote the following about the importance of a full-time mother in a child’s life:

“If a man had a mother who was physically or emotionally absent for most of his childhood – if he was raised by babysitters or a succession of other caretakers – he will most likely not know what emotional closeness or intimacy feels like. So how can he possibly know what his child is missing? 

  “The point of this brief examination of male vulnerabilities is to assert that sons and husbands need the women in their lives to nurture them, appreciate them, and express interest in their lives. As little boys or as high-powered executives, males suffer from female neglect.

“Kids do not profit from parental absenteeism and the empty house can be a dangerous place…many find empty houses a convenient place to engage in self-destructive behavior.

“Moreover, as these insecure children grow up, the ramifications for society are disturbing. One psychologist has said that never before in American history have so many children been raised by strangers.

“While it is not my intention to heap guilt on single mothers who find they must work, they need to be aware of how their children are affected. You see, young children don’t understand that the mother doesn’t have a choice. I would challenge the single mother, if at all possible, to use her wits and ingenuity to turn her skills into profit at home.

“Feminists have largely controlled the public image of women. Mothers at home, who are impediments to the feminist agenda, have been largely ignored. In their thrust for subsidized child care, equal rights, and abortion rights, feminists have done violence to mothering with their constant proclamation that mothering is a ‘low status job.'”

Mothering is NOT a low status job. It is a job given to women by their Creator. Do you see how easily the enemy of our souls tries to deceive people into believing the opposite of what God has commanded? Stop listening to him and begin listening to the Lover of your soul.

When you come home full time, love your children deeply, speak words of life and Truth into their lives consistently, and teach them to work hard, be honest, love God, and be kind. Raising up godly children takes a lot of time and effort but it is well worth it. It is the most important ministry you will have in your life.