Moms (or Mom figures) and Dads (or Dad figures) can represent different energies for children. Their parental energies are like the balance of Yin and Yang, a contrast of hard and soft. And these are the different energies that children grow up within a household, in nature, music, art, relationships. Life experiences and expressions are a combination of the spectrum of sexuality. And they need all of it in their lives. They need to be empathized with and nurtured and they also need to know boundaries and to feel safe.
Dads most traditionally play the part of the hardy, tenacious energy. This could manifest in the way a child learns certain sports that one must learn to follow the rules, practice the game and be ready to move fast or throw hard to win. And traditionally, the mom is the one who will comfort a child who lost a game, cooing gentle sounds of encouragement.
And like the ebb and tide of an ocean, children need these cycles of energies and emotions. Too much of one can shape a child differently and even harshly - reacting to the energy that they received too much of. A balance of both will teach a child when to use which power. Being kind and accepting to people is always paramount, just as much as learning to fight for oneself and express emotions.
And the thing is - families are so diverse. There is no such thing as traditional parenting anymore and that’s a beautiful thing. There are no lines, no milestones we’re firm in avoiding or reaching. Two moms can harness their masculinity to give their children everything they need. They can also make sure their child is exposed to that wide spectrum of valuable energy with grandparents, friends, neighbors who all offer something different, a unique mentality or coping mechanism that gives a kid a well-rounded experience (and a community). Without sounding stereotypical, parents must play their roles in dramatizing the world to their children. Especially when a child is young (under 6 years old), they learn best by watching us and listening to us. So our relationship with each other - the way we gently greet each other every day when we come home, the way we have a disagreement, and listen to each other’s concerns are all life lessons. And they are way more effective than telling a child how they should act or what they should do. Their first and most important teachers in their lives - their parents - are the most effective.
More like this: The Function of Masculine Energy: Celebrating Father's Day and the Importance of Diverse Role Models