What was your mom like when you were a child?

I suppose we need to define first of all what is meant by 'as a child'.........I will take it as being up to about age 10. Well, first of all, Mum was someone who was always there - as a young child I think your memories of your mother are indisputably part of your memories of your self - that is how it was for me anyway. Mum was part of life as I remember it, going to the park, going to the shops, visiting grandparents, 'helping' with jobs around the house.

Mum was always busy, life looking after three young children in the 50's without a lot of help WAS busy. I remember the first time we had a washing machine, and our first refrigerator. I do remember also having a horribly noisy vacuum cleaner. Mum never learned to drive, so there was a lot of walking places.

I guess the first time I felt that Mum was not just a part of 'me' was after my brother was born and her attentions were divided. I was terribly jealous and remember some rather spiteful behaviours. I know Mum was very proud of us and she loved us to look smart and neat. She spent hours pinning my very straight and fine hair up at night so that it would look nice when I went out to school in the morning...sadly, with the first whisks of wind or moisture and all her best efforts were for naught.

I don't remember a lot of physical affection, it wasn't 'done' in those days... fearful of 'spoiling' a child... but I do remember feeling very secure as a family unit. I also remember thinking that my Mum was very beautiful, something that was stressed by my Dad who WAS very affectionate, and loved to watch her getting ready to go out and putting lipstick on. I loved the things that she cooked for us and when there was a party at school and we had to take a contribution I can remember not wanting to eat anything else but what I had taken, because other people's food dodn't taste as good as my Mum's!