We embrace the women that are responsible for encouraging, loving, and nurturing us. Although a special day has been set aside specifically for celebrating mothers, the role can be filled by any woman who has been impactful. Some examples may include aunts, grandmothers, and stepmoms. For most of us, one stands out as the obvious pillar. Mother’s Day has become an amazing time to recognize those that we look up to and appreciate.
In This Article
The History of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day has a variety of meanings and traditions depending on which country you highlight. According to the History Channel, Mother’s Day dates back to ancient Greece when goddesses were admired. In the United Kingdom, this day began as a celebration of Lent and was a time to return to your home church. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is a special tribute to the queen and the date is dependent on her birthday. People in Ethiopia recognize motherhood by singing songs and sharing a feast.
In America, our version of Mother’s Day began years before the Civil War. Anne Reeves Jarvis formed clubs that helped teach mothers how to take better care of their children. Once the Civil War was over, and the country was still divided, her clubs helped unite a torn society. Jarvis gathered with other moms, and former Union and Confederate soldiers, for a “Mother’s Friendship Day” to encourage unity (via History.com).
Another mother recognized for promoting the movement was Julia Ward Howe. She wrote a proclamation that encouraged mothers to promote world peace. Howe campaigned for a day of peace to be celebrated each year.
In 1905, after the death of Anne Reeves Jarvis, her daughter Anna encouraged a day of recognition for moms. Although Anna never married, or had children of her own, she realized raising children was hard work. According to the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA), Anna organized the first official Mother’s Day in 1908 at her mother’s Methodist church in West Virginia. After a successful turnout, she continued to petition for a holiday to celebrate moms. Her persistence paid off. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be the official holiday we now know as Mother’s Day.
Fun Facts About Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day has been a rich part of American history. It encouraged a stance on peace in our country and brought recognition to an important group of people.
Over time, popular points have evolved as the holiday has become more commercialized. Although the era has changed, there’s no mistaking that the celebration for moms is still deserved. Mother’s Day represents diligence and achievements of moms all over the country.
Check out these fun facts about Mother’s Day according to Moms for America.
- Greeting cards are the most common gift purchased.
- Around 122 million phone calls are made to moms.
- Restaurants are busier on this day than any other day of the year.
- Billions of dollars are spent on Mother’s Day each year.
- The carnation is the official flower of Mother’s Day.
- Besides Christmas and Easter, more people attend church service on this day than any other.
These facts magnify the importance of mothers. This is due to numerous roles and responsibilities that moms tackle while maintaining a nurturing and loving environment.
The Story of Mom
There’s been a running joke for years about the difference between a mom and a dad. Although, dads pick up slack, and sometimes do more than their share, the basis of the story is regarding the many hats worn by a mother.
It involves a dad making single moves throughout his day. For a mom, there are numerous steps that create changes, attention shifts, and multiple decisions. One example is a mom heading in one direction but making multiple pitstops along the way. She quickly reroutes because there are clothes to fold, dishes to wash, bathrooms to clean, toys to pick up, counters to wipe, notes to sign, bills to pay, lunches to pack, laundry to start, floors to sweep, and kids to tuck into bed.
It’s safe to say that “mommy moves” are often made with several unexpected steps. Yet, the long list somehow manages to get done.
Just reading this might create a little anxiety or makes us sigh with exhaustion. But walking it each day is simply a part of being a mom. It’s often stated that motherhood is “not for the weak of heart” and that it “takes a village.” Unfortunately, support isn’t always available. That’s why moms are recognized as cape-wearing, strength-building, boo boo-kissing, powerful women.
Realities for Mom
Even with the history of Mother’s Day and the fact that moms are amazing creatures, the reality is that we’re human. Moms make mistakes, cry, get frustrated, and sometimes just plain get it wrong.
This creates more pressure in the role, especially when little eyes are looking on with admiration. We know the truth about our shortcomings, downfalls, and the reality of human nature. Adding in the difficulty tossed at us by the world means stressors galore.
In addition to the normal mommy roles, we take on those of protector and fixer. Sometimes we feel as though we barely have enough strength to maneuver through the day much less continue giving what is needed to everyone around us. Maintaining the role of a healthy mom has its challenges and requires building resilience.
When turmoil begins, take a step back, even if just for a moment. We’re often our own worst enemy or the hardest on ourselves. Make a point not to be that voice and try taking a different approach. Let’s look at a few ways to focus on shifting your mindset and some helpful parenting points.
Give Yourself a Break
While this idea seems obvious, it’s one of the hardest for many people. Perfectionists struggle with letting go of fault. However, it’s not only this group that finds it challenging to stop pointing the finger. It’s impossible to get it right all the time. Accepting this truth will help when realizing that you’ve fallen short. It can even be considered failing gracefully.
Be Intentional
Taking time for daily intentions helps lighten the load when things hit out of nowhere. If you know what’s already scheduled or have a plan, it’s easier to realize what else can fit. It’s okay to say “no” if something won’t work. Or better yet, “not right now.”
Laughter Really is the Best Medicine
It is well documented that there are numerous health benefits from laughter. If we take things too seriously, it’s easy to miss moments that make up the big picture.
If you struggle when trying to lighten up, assess if the situation will still matter in five minutes, five months, or five years? You can quickly decide if maintaining a negative or serious demeanor is worth your time and effort. This attention helps you create a powerful mindset.
Don’t Pile On
It’s important to pick your battles and know what’s truly needed in a mommy role. Are the extras you agree to for your kids, showmanship, or simply stressors? It’s important to understand these parameters. When adding to your plate, honesty can decrease discomfort and improve mindset. Never allow others to determine the needs of your role.
Messages for Mom
We realize things can’t always be perfect in motherhood and often spend time wondering how our children will turn out. It’s nice to take a break and enjoy appreciation and recognition of our efforts. It makes everything worthwhile.
Let’s look at messages for moms from a fifth-grade class that answered a questionnaire. The kids were given the following prompts and asked to share thoughts about their moms. (Answers have not been edited, so the exact essence is reflected.)
What is a Favorite Thing About Your Mom?
- “She poured a foundation of faith.”
- “creativetly”
- “she’s kind”
- “hair”
- “She always looks at the bright side of things”
- “she is always cheerful”
- “She always is a kindhearted person and organized.”
- “My mom is always understanding.”
- “She is always calm and supporting me.”
- “My favorite thing about her is that she is fun, loving, and alway the best of the best.”
- “her personality”
- “She takes me fishing a lot.”
- “That she loves and cares for me.”
- “she is so kind hearted”
- “She is always super nice no matter what has happen.”
- “That she is independent all the time.”
- “she is kind and gets me stuff”
- “She takes care of us and she is so understanding.”
- “Her smile”
- “She cares about me A LOT, sometimes too much.”
What is the Funniest Thing Your Mom Does?
- “She makes funny faces.”
- “she would do voices”
- “mess up while were baking”
- “a weird song”
- “She makes the dog dance”
- “my mom still works on the weekends”
- “She always cheers me up with funny voices.”
- “My mom sings while cooking in a funny voice”
- “She always does a funny dance.”
- “The funniest thing that she does is make a mickey mouse impression.”
- “her laugh”
- “When I am mad or sad she will tickle me.”
- “She burps loudly and jokingly blames it on me.”
- “she makes fun of the stupid stuff i do”
- “Eat peanut butter with a spoon.”
- “When she becomes dramatic about clothes.”
- “whenever she burps”
- “she makes up names for my little sisters toys and plays with her.”
- “When she gets home late and wakes me up with a weird voice.”
- “Laugh, sometimes she sounds weird when she laughs.”
What is Your Favorite Memory with Her?
- “My favorite memory is when she told me that she would need me to make decisions for her.”
- “my fav memory with her is going to pagents and softball games.”
- “Baking my birthday cake every year.”
- “getting are nails done”
- “When we got her new car this year”
- “my favrot memory is me and her baking with me”
- “My favorite memory with her is when we both spent the day together and did fun activities.”
- “My mom surprised us with horses for a trip in Blue Ridge Georga”
- “My favorite memory with her was our girls day. We got our nails done and played basketball.”
- “My favorite memory is going to a shaker village together.”
- “Going to the beach and jet skying”
- “We were on a trip and I brought a 1 foot fishing rod and I caught a 3 pound bass and the rod almost snapped.”
- “When she adopted me.”
- “going to the zoo and looking at animals. my mom loved how happy i looked due to the amount of pictures that were taken.”
- “Going to the zoo with her when I was very young.”
- “That I got to go to work with her. Also the time when we celebrated my birthday.”
- “the first time i won a championship and we went to dinner”
- “my favorite memory with her was when she supersized us with going to Disney world instead of going home from the beach.”
- “My favorite memory with my mom is learning about her job and what is poisonous and what is not.”
- “Every memory.”
What Do You Wish Your Mom Would Do More Often?
- “I wish she was able to say my name and that she loves me.”
- “i dont know”
- “relax and have fun with my family other than cleaning.”
- “clean my room”
- “I wish she could play outside with me and my siblings more”
- “clean my room”
- “Have more time to spend with me.”
- “I wish she would cook enchiladas.”
- “I wish she had less to do and more time to do fun activities with me.”
- “I wish that she would be nothing more than herself.”
- “cook good food”
- “Cook more.”
- “Let me play video games longer.”
- “have time with me insted of teaching”
- “Make pizza bagels for dinner ; they where so good.”
- “Taking breaks at work.”
- “go to the beach”
- “nothing really she is an amazing mom and she does everything she can to make us happy.”
- “One thing I wish my mom would do more often is spend more time with me.”
- “Stay home”
How Would You Like to Thank Her?
- “I would like to thank her for ensuring I would have choices.”
- “being there for me”
- “Being the best mom ever!”
- “for cleaning the whole house”
- “Raising me and having patience”
- “She makes me laugh when I am sad”
- “Being so kind and always being there for me all these years.”
- “For being the best mom”
- “Every thing she has done for me and my family.”
- “I would like to thank her for a roof above my head and paying for all of the things i own. And for being the most loving mom ever.”
- “A roof over my head and cloths on my back”
- “She is always nice and trys to stay happy no matter what”
- “I would thank her for cleaning.”
- “being a amazing mom and always being there for me.”
- “I would like to thank her for everything she does for me every day in my life.”
- “For her excitement.”
- “being a good mom for”
- “I would like to thank her for everything she does for us, she is so helpfull and loving. I could not have asked for a better mom”
- “My house and all of my stuff she has bought me.”
- “Loving me no matter what”
Final Thoughts About Mother’s Day
There’s no doubt being in the mommy club is special. We’re deeply loved even if it’s impossible to always get things right. This makes best efforts feel like enough.
After seeing that simple points mean so much to children, it becomes evident that we often create unnecessary weight in situations. We should “stop and smell the roses” but also remember how much of an impact we have on little lives.
One day, they’ll step out and tackle the world. The belief is that our input, support, and love have been the best contributions to a successful foundation.
Resources:
History Channel
National Women’s History Alliance
Moms for America