A Qualitative Study to the Mother’s Role Experiences during Their Child’s Transition from Early Childhood to Middle Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative analysis of mothers` role experiences during their children`s transition from early childhood to middle childhood. Eleven mothers of first-grade elementary school students participated in a group meeting, group interviews and journal writing. The results indicated that mothers described their experiences as a critical first step outwards on the journey to independence. The role experiences of the mothers who participated in this study can be seen from three perspectives: Firstly, as mothers as individuals projecting a mother`s worries onto their child and becoming a capable person to help their children adjust to a new school environment, secondly, as mothers as family members experiencing a more authoritarian parenting style and difficulties of co-parenting with their husbands and parents-in-law, and lastly, as mothers as members of the extended family systems experiencing communication difficulties regarding the public education system and feeling uncomfortable with other parents. The findings may be used to develop support programs as well as a channel for interacting with public education bodies and community agencies.