As Mother’s Day approaches, Shepherding the Next Generation honors mothers, whose selfless care and nurture deserves recognition 365 days a year.
This Mother’s Day, we pray especially for mothers who are struggling, and for their children. Some young women are single and struggle to balance earning an income with caring for their child. Some have no support from their family and little guidance in parenting. Some are still in high school, and many end up dropping out. Without a diploma, it is nearly impossible to find a good job that provides for the family.
They want to be good mothers, but don’t know where to turn.
Local churches all over the U.S. have effective and growing ministries that reach out to these mothers. But the need is overwhelming, and we need more help.
Voluntary home visiting is one very effective way of helping these young mothers become the best parents they can be.
One voluntary home visiting program, called the Nurse Family Partnership, is an evidence-based initiative in which trained, professional nurses visit low-income, first-time mothers to provide guidance in parenting beginning during pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday. A variety of high-quality research trials have shown very positive outcomes:
- Rates of child abuse and neglect are cut in half,
- Fathers become more involved in their children’s lives,
- Children are less likely to become involved in crime later on in their lives,
- The mothers are more likely to find good jobs later on,
- The mothers are up to a third less likely to be on welfare.
- For every dollar invested, almost $3.00 are saved in reduced welfare costs, foster care costs, and more.
Voluntary home visiting programs like the Nurse Family Partnership are proven investments in today’s families that will have a ripple effect through the generations to come. For more information and research references, please click here.
This Mother’s Day, please keep mothers everywhere in your prayers. And if you are a mother yourself – we thank and honor you!