Attention, mothers and wives: Get back to your posts.

For too long, our kids and our families have languished. Put the “heart” back into the home, doing the most important job in the world; creating an environment of success, an environment of peace without stress, an environment of love and nurturing for each member. Not for ourselves, but for our loved ones, take the time and the care to make your families succeed. Each individual member depends on it. Get back to your post. Be at home. Light the lamp of love that family can gather around. Stay home.

Mothers and wives, who is there night and day when your son or daughter is sick? Who has time to do home measures before sending them to the doctor? How do you make them rest and drink fluids for a couple days if you are not home? How about being there when they return from school? They need someone to tell about their day or need a sounding board. Milk and cookies still go a long way.

Mothers and wives, who is the one able to know how to deal with a crisis or death of grandparents in the family? You know how to rally when someone in the family is seriously ill. These actions are being left undone. No one has time. No one is doing the essential stuff for families to prosper.

How are our boys going to learn to be good decision makers? How are our kids going to survive middle school? How are our girls going to learn how to relate with others in a healthy way? What about sons who need their mothers to help them relate and bond to their dads? The mother knows how to do this. How about when school is out for the summer, who looks after the kids? I never understood that. Do you take time off?

Two working parents spells disaster. Your teen needs you at home making tons of big family meals, yes, around the table; yes, every night and big breakfasts. Energy drinks are becoming far too common. Give them what they really need: food, food, food. Teens need food when they are growing physically and seem to have a hollow leg. They could buy it, yes, but a home-cooked meal can’t be beat for being a well-balanced meal that also provides family time. Appetite is a very healthy thing. The lack of appetite shows something is bothering your teen. Be home to notice that.

Wives, get back to your husbands. You are too far afield. Don’t be so independent that you don’t need your husband any more. We all need to be needed. It is part of being human. If you don’t need your husband, he will gravitate toward those who do need him. Do not let your marriage take risks like that. Hold closely your dear one. Be grateful for what you have and take time to nurture the relationship between you and your spouse.

Our families are floundering from being too busy and too stressed out in a fast-paced and crazy world. I fear that if we do not get back to stable family life, our society will be defined by someone else who does not put love and nurturing at its heart.

Mothers and wives, get back to your posts. Be the heart of your home.

Sybilla M. Pettingill is a mother and wife living in Lisbon Falls.