Mother & Child Rituals & Ceremony Ideas
The bond between a mother and her child runs deep. For nine months, she carries this child under her heart and intimately shares her life as her baby grows inside her. Rituals and ceremonies provide ways to celebrate this bond and include others who are a part of the life of the mother and child. Each can be unique because the bond between each mother and child is unique.
Other People Are Reading
-
Blassingway
-
The Blessingway Ceremony takes place in the last trimester of pregnancy and celebrates the transition of the woman into motherhood and blesses the mother and the baby with good wishes. In a circle of close friends and family, each participant pronounces a blessing over the mother and baby as they present their gifts. The guests may pamper the mother with massage, painting the pregnant belly or making a belly cast.
Cord Ceremony
-
Native American tribes preserve the umbilical cord and placenta for a special ceremony. The family buries the placenta under a tree or bush that will grow with the child. The umbilical cord is coiled and covered on both sides by dirt from the birthplace, cedar, sage, salt grass and tobacco. The officiant places the coil in a medicine bag and may place body materials from family members, such as hair, fingernail clippings or saliva. The mother receives the bag after it is sewn shut and she holds it in trust for the child until he becomes of age.
-
Relinquishment Ceremonies
-
Birth mothers who place their babies for adoption may participate in a relinquishment ceremony that acknowledges the ties of the baby to the birth and adoptive parents. The birth mother and adoptive parents invite family members and friends to attend. The birth mother speaks a blessing over the baby before placing him in the arms of the adoptive mother. The officiant offers a prayer for all who touch the life of the child and blesses the child. Family and friends can pledge to support the child in love and with prayers.
Naming Ceremonies
-
Many African tribes conduct naming ceremonies between the seventh and ninth day following the birth. The community gathers and the tribal elders participate in determining the name with the family. The elder officiating gives the baby various substances to taste, determined by the tribal traditions. The mother receives her baby back with her official name and the community celebrates.
Baby Dedications
-
Christian parents may schedule a baby dedication ceremony at church. The ceremony acknowledges that children are a gift from God and the parents pledge to raise the child in love and teach her about God. The congregational members join the family members in a pledge to provide godly examples for the child and pray and support the family.
Stages of Life Ceremonies
-
Mothers can celebrate their children's life transitions with ceremony. Opportunities for rituals include the first hair cut, first step, first day of school, coming of age and leaving home. The mother can create rituals to share with the child and family members. For example, the first locks cut from the child's hair are preserved or a young girl's first menstrual flow could celebrate her co-creative ability in the cycle of life.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Rayes/Lifesize/Getty Images
