the hand that rocks the cradle.

We've heard the phrase: "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world". But do you know where it comes from?

William Ross Wallace was the author of The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Hand That Rules the World. He was an American poet born in Kentucky in 1819. He practiced law but engaged in literary pursuits as well, writing poems and a national hymn.

I'm telling you now, there is power and strength that women have which is God given. Unfortunately, this power and strength has detoured itself in feminist pursuits. There's some wonderful women out there who are as capable and as intelligent as their male counterparts, yet, I personally believe that this capability and intelligence is mainly to be focused at home. Moms can pursue other endeavors yet her heart should be first at home. Why? Because "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world".

Let me first say that I know there are exceptions to the rule; single moms, etc. I am specifically speaking to the whole of society where moms are in the workplace and do not necessarily have to be there. Moms who enjoy the sense of accomplishment in their careers. This takes at least 8 hours out of every weekday and in some cases more. Who is raising the kids? The teachers and counselors at public school?  Their friends? Their friends' parents? The television? Video games? And isn't it interesting that so many young people are spending precious time trying to figure out who they are and experimenting with anything and everything to figure it out?

Mothers have an ability that no other shoes can fill. I'm not talking about just kissing a boo-boo or being a listening ear. I'm talking about an ability to nurture, discern, wisdom...and an incredible amount of fortitude to manage the physical/mental/emotional demands and adversity. As Proverbs 31 says about the virtuous woman, she watches over the ways of her home. 

If we are pursuing our own interests first in the form of a career, job or other interests, we are contributing to the demise of our kids and society. As I've recently written, life can be very adventurous and exciting. But most days it's routine. And that is okay. Because the sun rising and setting is routine. The same birds sing outside my window everyday. The snow comes in December and the tulips bloom in May. Routine is how the world operates. Don't dismiss the routine days of raising children because there isn't any excitement that brings you a feeling of great accomplishment. 

It is our responsibility to influence our children. If we don't do it, someone else will influence them. We cannot abdicate this nor can we defer it to another without a fall-out.  If your additional income or making strides in the world is priority and the kids secondary (which one takes up most of your time?), the short term result may be personally fulfilling but the next generation will be lacking. Your power, strength, and ability is to be used to raise children for their benefit and who will benefit society. Don't always be looking for grand accomplishments and personal fulfillment. Your grandest will be raising children of strength and fortitude who will bring their contributions into the world and pass them on to their children. Sons and daughters who will not be confused, assured of their roles, having been shaped with God-given power and strength by one who loves and cares for them over any other: mother. 

It is a privilege to raise our children. No one is going to oooh and aaah over your kids like you do. No one really cares that your 5th child just got his first tooth or that your 2nd child can play the harmonica. But us parents... we bask in it don't we? When you don't have the time with your kids you miss out on a lot. Because even though there is hard work in raising kids, there's also lots and lots of happiness = privilege.

The poet, William Ross Wallace, surely recognized something valuable in the 1800's which has become a faded memory that is often thought of as old fashioned and irrelevant. It's a lie that we have slowly welcomed. 


Want to use your power? Want to live in the oversight that you feel inside? Want to "rule the world"? Give 100% to being a mother.


The Hand that Rocks the Cradle

Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.


William Ross Wallace