Franca Atokolo

Catalyze Franca Atokolo

Nothing prepares you for motherhood, and nothing compares to it. Being a Mum has been quite an experience, an experience of a lifetime. Motherhood comes with the anxiety and curiosity of expecting a newborn - especially if it's your first: the joy of finally becoming a Mum, the challenge of adjusting to a new lifestyle, of caring for a young one who is completely dependent on you, the responsibility of nurturing and grooming your kid into a sound adult, the obligation of living up to a standard that the person you brought forth can emulate. The status of motherhood comes with an array of demands. These demands change with each season or stage of the child's growth, but alongside all ofthese is the pressing and mandatory responsibilities on mothers to birth their children's destiny in prayer. I remember when we were going to have our first baby, the news of a baby on the way was exhilarating and unnerving at the same time. It was a mixed feeling. While I was excited about the thought of having a baby for the first time, I was more scared than excited. Two key questions plagued my mind: "Am I going to be a good mother?" "What would my baby look like?"I realized I had control over the first question but not over the second. It then dawned on me that I was not any different from every expectant Mum who is usually curious to know who her baby would look like. I knew we were having a girl. Who she physically takes after, (whether she'll look like me or her dad (she had to look like either one of us anyway)) didn't matter as much as how she ultimately would turn out here on earth!