52 December 2013 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | parenting The role of a mother is multidimensional and multifaceted — you know that already. So where’s the link to creativity and innovation? Research from business and industry shows that creativity promotes efficiency, increases productivity, improves quality, encourages benchmarking and accelerates change. The links To be efficient, you use your energy wisely, choose your battles and take the lead role in power relations only when it is really needed. You are resourceful in terms of the human resources you draw upon for help as well as your management of money and other forms of capital. You are good at your role and have a clear vision of what you want for you and your child. Being productive is about getting things done in a timely manner and knowing what you are achieving. It’s about being useful and creative as well as moving things forward. Productivity is not just about quantity, it is also about ensuring that what you do is powerful and has an impact. Next, we have quality which is concerned with getting things right, moving form good to great, knowing your value and being valued by your child. It’s also about eminence, consistency and providing a safe environment, where your child feels love and belonging. Benchmarking is an interesting aspect. It is argued that we should not compare ourselves to other parents when, actually, we can learn so much from each other. To see things from an entirely different perspective, ask your child where they feel you are on different aspects of parenting. This can provide a great impact and food for thought, especially if you also ask where they would like you to be and why that’s the case. Finally, innovation is about change and as your child grows up you will have to change to meet their needs. By accelerating change, this means that you do not stay entrenched in how they used to be or how you alone want them to be, but you choose to adapt and learn with them. This ensures equal power relations. Yes, change can be scary. It can be a challenge and it can also be an exciting, transformative experience that, if handled appropriately, brings you and your child closer together. The need for creativity Innovation enables you to generate ideas to solve problems and processes, anything from getting your child out of the door on time in the morning to being brave enough to allow them to take that overseas trip without you. It’s about stepping out of the box, steering away from your comfort zone and thinking divergently. There are often more solutions to problems that we initially see and children are so creative, it is crazy not to involve them in Have you ever really considered the impact of what you wear, your environment and how you act? This article will provide you with room to reflect upon parenting in the broader sense of the word. Find ways to draw upon your innovative flair to further develop your skill set. by DR CLARE BECKETT-MCINROY Post-modernism and Mothering
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