Mother’s Day: A Misguided Celebration

pregnant woman in yellow flower dress holding her belly

Oh joy, it’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and spring sports gear is emerging from the depths of the garage—reminding me that Mother’s Day is approaching. There it is, written in a cute, delicate font on my calendar: Mother’s Day—my big day! A day to feel celebrated and cherished for my role as a mom. Except, I won’t. Because I can’t. Because quite frankly, Mother’s Day is a farce. And that’s the unvarnished truth.

As the designated family planner, I am responsible for organizing all our family events, holidays, and gatherings. So, who exactly is in charge of this so-called celebration? Who is going to ensure that I get my special day? More importantly, who is looking out for all the other mothers in our lives on this supposedly glorious occasion? The issue with Mother’s Day is that it caters to too many moms. I’m a mother. I have a mother. My husband has a mother, and his sisters are mothers too. The list goes on and on! While I’d love to eagerly countdown to my special day, I’m busy picking up cards and flowers for everyone else. Moms don’t get a break from their to-do lists—not even on their own special day.

How about we make a pact? Let’s agree that Mother’s Day should be reserved for mothers with young children—the ones who are really in the trenches. Once your kids are adults, it’s time to hand over the Mother’s Day baton to those currently knee-deep in diapers and late-night feedings. Or maybe we should advocate for a separate holiday, like Grandmother’s Day. Not to be confused with Groundhog Day, but similar enough. It could be strategically scheduled during a quieter time of year or combined with Father’s Day. That seems fitting.

Let’s face it, trying to relax on Mother’s Day is nearly impossible. While I might wish to indulge in a massage, go shopping, or lose myself in a good book, guilt inevitably creeps in. How can I enjoy “my” day when I’m not celebrating with the little ones who bestowed this title upon me? Who can just abandon their kids after receiving homemade cards and flowers? On a holiday, no less! That kid-favorite word comes with expectations of events, food, and fun—all things that, as you may recall, I am responsible for.

Fortunately for Hallmark, the truth about this silly day remains hidden. Mothers everywhere will flood their social media feeds with picture-perfect snapshots, each tagged with hashtags like #family and #blessed. Swipe right for a photo of their child’s handprint flower art—because what mother wouldn’t want to publicly acknowledge her blessings on her special day?

Here’s a thought: instead of cramming all this gratitude into one arbitrary day, why not celebrate our motherhood in small, spontaneous moments throughout the year? Like during a family beach day when the children are happily occupied, and you find a moment of peace with your feet in the sand. Or when your son holds your hand on a family walk, or when your daughter surprises you with a hug. Those are the moments that truly embody Mother’s Day. Natural, unexpected instances of joy that make you feel appreciated—without the weight of expectation or guilt. That’s the real Mother’s Day magic.

For more insights on motherhood and family life, check out this other blog post for a deeper dive. And if you’re considering starting your family, Make A Mom offers a wealth of knowledge on home insemination. Additionally, for a comprehensive resource on fertility and conception, visit Wikipedia.

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In summary, Mother’s Day can often feel like a misnomer for many moms who are too busy caring for others to truly celebrate themselves. Rather than cramming all the appreciation into one day, it might be more meaningful to recognize and cherish those small, everyday moments that make motherhood special.

Keyphrase: Mother’s Day Misconceptions
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