The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
In 1865, William Ross Wallace wrote a poem, “What Rules the World.” According to The Free Dictionary, it later became known as “The Hand that Rules the World.” The poem’s refrain, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world” has become an often-repeated proverb.
The hand that rocks the cradle refers to the influence mothers have on children.
Mothers guide their children’s overall growth.
- Social
- Emotional
- Physical
- Mental
- Spiritual
Think about the power in that position.
The hand that rocks the cradle applies to more than biological mothers.
Some of the most influential include:
- Foster mothers
- Adoptive mothers
- Mothers-in-law
- Stepmothers
- Grandmothers
- Other relatives
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Teachers
- Anyone who assumes a mother’s role, formal or informal
This Mother’s Day, thank the mothers in your life.
I am so grateful for the positive influence of my mother plus several others in informal mother roles. Many now live in heaven, but their impact remains.
“Her children arise and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).
What mothers would you add to the list I made. Please comment.
Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and to Virginia Graves for the photo taken at Taylor County Museum – The Heistand House in Campbellsville, KY.
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6 thoughts on “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”
I’m numbered in the many that Proverbs 31:28 references. It’s another call for thanksgiving ..
So am I, Beckham. Absolutely a call for thanksgiving!
I loved finding out the source of this beautiful saying, Diana. We should all thank and treasure our mothers for all the sacrifices they made on our behalf. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. It’s a beautiful reference, isn’t it? I’m so grateful for loving mothers (and fathers). Blessings.
I’m so glad you included foster mothers since my son and daughter-in-law are fostering now. Enjoyed learning the history behind this saying.
Tracy, as a former foster and adoption worker, this one is close to my heart. Plus, my parents became foster and adoptive parents after my sister and I married. We share another connection!