Mother’s Day – Positives and Negatives

Maybe I’ve surprised you by the title of today’s blog post, as you’re maybe surprised that I think there are any negatives to Mother’s Day. Unfortunately I see many negatives as well as positives about Mother’s Day and the way in wish we celebrate it, so let me explain further…

Personally I’m not a big fan of Mother’s Day. Not because I don’t love my Mum or don’t think she deserves recognition for all she’s done for me, but simply because I feel, like so many other events or holidays, it’s become too commercial. For me Mother’s Day should be a personal and private thing between mother and child(ren), and therefore I hate the way all the shops and TV adverts at this time make me feel pressurised into buying flowers, a card and all sorts of others things for my mum just because it’s Mother’s Day.

All I want to say to this is, why should I do this on one particular day of the year? Think about those who have can’t afford to buy their Mum’s a present or a gift for Mother’s Day, how do think they feel? It’s not just that though, our Mother’s are our Mother’s all year round, not just on Mother’s Day, so be good to them buy them gifts (if you can afford to) all year round, not just on Mother’s Day.

I also feel deeply for those on Mother’s Day whose Mum’s are no longer with them – particularly those whose Mum’s have died within the last year.

Then there are those who have never known their real mother – maybe because their mother died very early in their  life, or because they were given up for adoption as a young child/baby – Think of those people too at this time, as I know that they have probably have many unanswered questions and lots of what if questions in their mind, particularly around Mother’s Day.

Finally there are many women who would love to have children but either find they are unable to have children or for health reasons, are unable to have children – Mothering Sunday for them (and this includes me) can be tough as it reminds them of what they will never have.

So all that said, despite having taken all my Mum does for me for granted for many years, I do of course love my Mum very much and am so very thankful for all she has done, and continues to do for me.

However for me a number of the things I’ve mentioned above refer to me, so while it’s good to show love for our Mum’s on days like today, just remember it’s not necessarily such a happy day for everyone.

So whether you love or hate mothers day, or whether you dislike Mother’s Day for any of the reasons listed above (several apply for me),I hope you don’t take all your mum has done/continues to do for you for granted, after all, she’s your Mum, and always will be!