It's kind of difficult to ignore the fact that Mother's Day is looming. The shops and online stores are festooned with ideas for Mothers Day Presents and I can't find any straightforward birthday cards for four and five-year-olds; they've all been removed to make way for the millions of Mother's Day cards. And this, apart from giving me a birthday card induced headache, has me thinking about the relevance and importance of Mother's Day.
Of course the day has proper historical foundations from the ancient Greeks and in more recent times was linked to the fourth Sunday of Lent, but as far as modern day 'Mother's Day', has it just become another commercial 'Hallmark' day, or does it actually still mean something?
Mother's Day is an odd occasion for me: having lost my own mum in my early twenties I can't participate in the day as a daughter; but since having my own children, I obviously can now participate as a mother. But I'm still not entirely sure I'm all that bothered.
Of course, it's lovely to get a little home-made card with a picture of yourself on the front which makes you look like a banshee, and a cup of tea in bed never goes amiss, but apart from that I can honestly say I don't expect - or need - any more fuss to be made of me. Perhaps I'm missing a trick. Perhaps I'm missing the point? I really don't know.
Maybe when I'm old and grey (or should that be older and greyer), I'll be more insistent that my errant sons buck their ideas up and at least phone me on Mother's Day, even if the flowers and expensive lunch never materialise. But for now, the cup of tea in bed and an extra special cuddle will do quite nicely.
What about you? Do you have high hopes for the day? Do you make a big fuss of your own mother and do you expect/hope to be showered with gifts and attention yourself, or does it not really bother you?
Answers on an over-sized, pink, floral infested greetings card please.
I just want a bloody lie in. And to NOT have to trough out toast and cornflakes. And to NOT have to brush my girls hair (worst job in world) or make the beds.
ReplyDeleteI am so utterly over the groundhog day grind that is the morning chores.
THAT is why I love Mothers Day. To escape the mundane once a year.
In fact, I am seriously thinking of adopting the British Mothers Day date as well as maintaining the Australian one.
Bugger the card. Just give me the morning off.
I'm the same.not overly fussed! Cup of tea in bed and maybe a new pair of jarmies! I hate how comercialised people have made it...its not a blimmin competion!
ReplyDeleteEvery year I got handmade cards, a bunch of daffs and the joy of cooking a huge lunch for both sets of parents and our brother/sisters and their families...wouldn't have it any other way
ReplyDeleteAll I want is a little break, a lie in and if I'm lucky breakfast in bed. I often forget mother's day for my mum because the French one doesn't fall at the same time as ours. But this year she is over on mother's day so i won't forget!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a nice wee reminder to give someone a bit of focus (the girls actually enjoy making a rare fuss of me). This year my mum won't know it's mother's day but i'm going up anyway... and so are the girls so we can all be pampered together. Like you though - a handmade card and a cuppa are all I need. Oh yes, and an extra special hug.
ReplyDeleteI like the hanmade cards...
ReplyDeleteAnd playing along with utter 'delight' when the 10yr old gives me breakfastin bed - soggy cornflakes with golden syrup & chunks of dairy milk floating in it.
Yep, I needed an oscar for theperformance gave when eating it.... but a memory I will never forget, and it was free...
Lx
I think it's nice to have one day a year where you feel appreciated. And that can mean a rare lie-in. Except my lie-ins are so rare that my children come up to regularly disturb me as they view me as some sort of old curio laid up in bed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others; a lie-in pleeease!! I really hate the commercial aspect and being made to feel like I ought to be spending a fortune on cards etc. Having said that, chocolates are always gratefully recieved by me! (are you listening Viking?)
ReplyDeleteBring on the presents, always like a good present. Let me flop about the place and read....OMG! Just to read all day, being brought the occasional refreshment, not too much mind, because then it becomes an interruption.....Call it what you like, commercialise it, corrupt it, whatever, just let me have it! I also think that we, the mothers, ought to get presents and flopping-around time on our kids birthdays....it is, after all, the anniversary of the day we produced another human being. Surely that's worthy of a box of chocs and a good red?
ReplyDeleteI find that its great for the kids to give me something that show they love me but they do that every day.
ReplyDeleteI do lack sending my mum a present, a gift, seeing her face so I may find myself having a good cry sometime during the day. It would be nice if the day wasn't rubbed in as much .. when I first lost her it was like salt in fresh wounds, now its not as bad but still.. x
BNM
You know, I think it's just one of those days when we stop for a moment, take stock and appreciate family. And I think when you have lost people, those moments are quite precious somehow - so I sort of like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad I read this. I lost my mum this year and people keep saying how hard mother's day will be. I don't really feel that way though, because my parents never really 'got' mother and father's days and always seemed bemused by recieving presents. like them I don't like being 'told' how to respond I think! What I appreciate most is some 'time out' from mothering, so breakfast in bed, a lie in all good.
ReplyDeleteI propose we rename it Mothers Day Off - all in favour?
ReplyDelete