I remember watching a 5-year old, mid-tantrum, kicking his mother in the shins and spitting at her. Expecting her to hit him, I was stunned when she simply picked him up and hugged him.
The Mother Test challenges leaders to ask, "Is everyone I supervise someone I would want caring for my mother?" And the follow-ups, "If there IS someone I don't want caring for my mom why are they still on my team, " and, "What am I as a leader doing to honor the stars that do give best care to all patients?"
The Mother Test™ helps define the practice of Radical Loving Care®. But why that name?
Mothers Day offers the single most important celebration of any other being on our calendar. As a recognition of a person, it ranks number one.
Even if we dislike our own mom, the image of "mother" identifies what our hearts honor most. Thus, "Mother" is a proxy for every patient, not just moms. We want t
o be sure that every person, even if we hate their behavior, receives deeply compassionate and completely competent care.
So the big challenge is really, "The Bad Behaving Patient Test." Are we delivering Radical Loving Care® to hostile patients?
Mothers find ways to nurse and love a child who may seem to personify a devil. Thus, the saying, "That kid is so terrible only a mother could love them,"
But what about strangers? A patient hurls insults and the bed pan at you. Live love here and you do what God asks: loved an enemy.
-Rev. Erie Chapman
1. "Nursing Mom" 1973" by Erie 2. Mom Nursing - Today's Parent Magazine
