Science proves mother-daughter bond

     When scientists say something has a strong bond, it must be true. There are several types of scientific bonds such as covalent bond, ionic bond, and a hydrogen bond. But nothing beats the bond that is formed between a mother and her daughter(s).

     I recently read an article posted online by “The Journal of Neuroscience” that credited the mother-daughter bond to being one of the strongest, again noted by scientists.

     A study was done to determine whether mood disorders and depression are passed on from mothers to their daughters. After testing many family lineages, it was proven that the anatomy of the brain is similar in that of a mother and daughter. (Being the older of my mom’s two daughters, I’m going to take credit for being most like my mom.)

     The part of the brain that was seen as most similar is the part that controls emotions. I have to say, from experience, that makes complete sense. My mom and I react (and, at times, overreact) in similar fashion.

     Scientists said this mother-daughter bond is even stronger than that of the father-daughter bond, the son-father bond, and the mother-son bond.

     I never witnessed the strength of that bond more than this weekend when my mom and I took in the Iowa Women’s March, honoring and celebrating the first anniversary of the largest coming-together in our nation’s history (our world’s history). We spent the weekend in Des Moines, stood and sat on the Capitol steps, watching and intently listening to several powerful and courageous women share their stories.

     My mom and I share many likenesses, aside from physical. We love reading, shopping, traveling and vacationing together, road trips, spending time with family, among many others.

     The saying “Like mother/like daughter” has never been truer, and now we have science to blame (or thank).

     My mom was a single mother for much of my young adult life, junior high through high school and beyond. I certainly credit her for my strong and resilient personality. She taught my sister and me to work for what we want in life. My mom would have been happy with whatever we did in life, but a college education and working at a career we love certainly makes her proud.

     Back home, which really isn’t far in Earlville, I’m Carolyn’s daughter. It’s funny because whenever my mom comes to my neck of the woods she’s Kim’s mom.

     Either way, we share such similar values: family, work hard, be successful, be a leader. I’ve certainly tried to live up to those in my professional and personal life.

     The true “Like mother/like daughter” test will be years from now when I’m an adult. (I may be 33, but definitely don’t feel adult-like.)