By Lisa Manterfield
Let’s just say it: Mother’s Day is the nuclear bomb of holidays when you don’t have children. It’s a day of brunches, church services, and flowers, when shops, offices, restaurants, and even our social media feeds are filled with celebrations of moms and all things motherhood. To top it all, this holiday has somehow escaped the political correctness cleanup that other holidays have undergone, so while many people are hesitant these days to wish someone a Merry Christmas, lest they offend, no one seems to have any qualms about wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
It took me a long time to be able to face Mother’s Day, but the last couple of years I’ve done something fun for myself on that weekend. A couple of years ago I planned a trapeze class and this year I’m running a half marathon at Disneyland. Each year, I’m able to note that the day bothers me less and less, and I use it to mark my own progress. I know that many of you aren’t there yet, and from past experience I know that it pays to face the day prepared.
If you plan to venture out over Mother’s Day weekend, be ready for almost everyone to wish you a happy Mother’s Day. This includes friends, neighbors, sales assistants, parking attendants, and even complete strangers. Prepare your arsenal of stock replies and be ready to respond, so you don’t find yourself caught unawares and having to explain why you’re standing in the middle of the street in tears, yelling “It’s not a happy day at all!” to an unsuspecting stranger. My standard response is to say “Thank you. You too” and move on as quickly as possible.
Once you’re aware of the inevitable challenges the day can bring, it’s good to make a plan to keep yourself protected. If you know you’re not going to be able to make it through the day with your emotions intact, stay at home or make plans to go somewhere away from the biggest challenge spots. If you’re expected to attend a big family gathering, consider if you could take a pass, just this year. Even if the next Mother’s Day is months from now, take a few minutes to jot down the challenges you might face and come up with a plan. How will you spend the day? How will you honor your own mother? And how will you deal with the challenges you can’t avoid?
Our church celebrates ALL women and then the focus is on Breast Cancer…Its still a tough day but we all need to realize we are all Mothers at heart.
I was a Mother to my Dad, my Mom & my Aunt during their Sr years.
It is really bad since I lost my Mom because to me its just another day.
Now my husband of 38 year just had surgery for a Brain Tumor & we found out its from a Cancer somewhere else in the body so we are facing more Doctors and testings and an unknown future.
Forget about celebrating Mothers Day lets just celebrate Life & another day of living.
I am very sorry to hear about your husband. I too have a husband with a unfortunate diagnosis that will shorten our 31 year marriage. I have found that being childless is less of an issue because I’m facing being husbandless in the next few years. It hasn’t taken it all away…. But now I’m just focusing on enjoying what time I have with the love of my life.
This will be the first Mothers Day since my mom past away, and although it is very sad, I am finding comfort that I can now completely and 100% ignore the day. And as for people wishing me a happy Mother’s Day… I just never say anything in response. I leave it hanging in dead air… And on the bad years in my head I say a very not-nice response.
I disengage from Facebook for a couple of days so I don’t have to read all the mothers days posts as that can really get you down. I try to do something fun on the day & this year I’ll spend my day at a theme park laughing my head off on all the rides just like a kid.
Have fun at the Theme park, what a great idea!!
Yep, that is my tip. Stay off of social media!
I plan to stay off social media and get uncomfortable when I’m wished a Happy Mother’s Day by strangers. We’re doing a family brunch this year, but the day before I’m doing an adventure race so I’ve been counting down to that and ignoring Mother’s Day. But I really have to get out there and buy my mom a gift.
All the best for your race!
Best thing to do is stay away from facebook and family type places if all they will do is upset you.
The worst Holiday EVER!!!!
Thankfully i’m pretty busy the next several days so staying off social media shouldn’t be too hard. Taking a break from TV and the Radio as well. Thank goodness for pandora and podcasts to listen to while at work.
One thing we do in our family is “change” the days name. Instead of celebrating “Mothers Day”, we celebrate “Ladies (or Women) In the Family Day.