RELAY MOTHERS
Use Mothers as a Dynamic and Effective Resource

 The MMM relies on its 60 years of practical experience to underline the important part mothers play in building the bonds which create harmonious family and community relations. The MMM has proved that, with a minimum of training, support and recognition, mothers can be enabled to improve the quality of relationships in the home and become instrumental in creating and maintaining social cohesion in their community.


In the family mothers fulfil a vital role, but often they feel isolated and carry heavy commitments. Mothers are the first ones to teach their children: they represent stability in the lives of many children (particularly where there are different fathers); they often bring up children alone (father is no longer there or the rest of the family does not live nearby) and often they head large families.
In the community, mothers are the best placed to set up neighbourhood initiatives and prevent young people from indulging in antisocial behaviour – but their potential input is currently not recognised or valued
 

So what can we do?

To deal with the current crisis in living together in harmony, MMM France suggests using their very effective programme for strengthening the role of mothers as the main means of building social cohesion.

MMM Frances’ programme of Mothers Support Groups has led to “Relay Mothers” relaying on their new-found skills in understanding and respect to other mothers – to the great benefit of their family and neighbourhood.

1. Background

The situation, which the MMM has been dealing with in France, exists in many parts of the world: there are, living in close proximity, populations of different cultures, religions, social and economic backgrounds. Communication between these varied groups does not happen naturally and a certain number of problems have been arising from a lack of social cohesion – social dysfunction.

At the same time, individualism, low academic attainment, unemployment, indifference, a sense of isolation and fear of others and their differences often leads to violent behaviour.

2. Why Mothers ? 

Mothers:
•  are the motivating force at the heart of the family – and the family is the underlying structure of society. Strengthening the role of mothers is, therefore, a means of strengthening society.
• spend 3 times more time teaching their children than fathers
• are alert to what is happening in their neighbourhood and, through their everyday relationship with schools, businesses, neighbours, local administration, they are the natural means of bonding the disparate groups of the community.
•  have the capacity to find common interests (such as their children’s education) no matter what their social or cultural background
•  are used to finding instant and practical solutions to life’s every-day problems

3. What do Mothers Need?

• Meeting places to :
  • build bonds
  • share experiences and concerns
  • share skills (cooking, artistic activities, professional expertise)
  • reading and writing classes
• People to listen
• training to recognise and value their role in the family and society
• Recognition of their contribution by the authorities

• a mother who understands her community: knows what is going on, knows where to go for advice – local government, associations….
• a mother who wants to improve the quality of life in her neighbourhood
• a mother who is sensitive to the needs of mothers who feel isolated – and is prepared to listen to them and help them find their feet

• Inform and support mothers
  
• Make links: neighbourhood/local government, mothers/associations, new/old neighbours…
• Work at grass-roots level to bring out  skills and identify projects to strengthen social cohesion
• create and run vibrant networks of mothers and offer training
• Be part of a network of “Relay Mothers” to capitalize and spread experience and expertise

(If you would like to know more : contact the MMM office mmminternational@wanadoo.fr  or – if you speak French look on the MMM France website MMMfrance)