5/11 - Celebrating Mother’s Day 2025: Honoring the Heart of the Family with Love and Understanding

 

Celebrating Mother’s Day:

Honoring the Heart of the Family   
with Love and Understanding

As we celebrate Mother's Day today, I wanted to take a few moments to honor Mothers and who they are as the heart of the family.  Let's face it, most families would not be what they are today without the Mothers who make that happen.  And mom's we appreciate you, whether we tell you regularly or rarely.

Our mothers are the ones who provide unconditional love to us, even at our worst.  We know they're there for us in the best of times and the worst.  They are often our biggest cheerleaders.  Moms are also often the ones who sacrifice the most, specifically their own time and energy, to make sure that their children, whether young or grown, have the support, encouragement, guidance, and love they need on an ongoing basis.

But even as some of us are celebrating our mothers and mother figures, it's important to recognize that not everyone has easy relationships with their mother and there are diverse emotions associated with mothers or the idea of Mother's Day.  Some of us may only be able to see or talk to our mother on rare occasions, leaving us longing for something more.  Some of us may see our mother's regularly, but they are getting on in years and their health and memory aren't what they used to be.  Some of us have extremely difficult and complex relationships with our mothers, such that we don't see or talk to them often, and when we do, it ends in anger or disappointment.

But the purpose of this post is to provide some insight and support to help you navigate the emotional landscape of Mother's Day with compassion and understanding.

The Essence of Motherhood

Motherhood is an experience that transcends biological ties and societal roles. It embodies unconditional love, selflessness, resilience, and a nurturing spirit that can be found in various forms and relationships.

Mothers offer unconditional love and selflessness.  They usually have an innate desire to nurture and protect their children, whether young or grown.  This can be anything from comforting a child during times of distress to celebrating their achievements with genuine joy.  The love and affection of a mother forms the foundation of a child's sense of security and belonging.

Motherhood also requires an immense strength and resilience.  Because of their position in the family and with their children, they sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to daily consideration.  They are always present, yet often "forgotten".  Mother's navigate numerous challenges, balancing various responsibilities while still providing emotional support for themselves AND their families.  

Being present and mindful is a crucial aspect of motherhood and it involves actively engaging with their children, regardless of their age, listening attentively, even when busy, and responding with empathy, even when feeling the need themselves.  This conscious presence foster deeper connections and helps children feel valued and understood.  Adult children often reflect back that their mother is one of the few people who truly understood them at their deepest level.  Mother's also have the responsibility of modeling emotional regulation and thoughtful decision making for their children, throughout their lives.

Nurturing Beyond Biology

Motherhood extends beyond biological connections. It encompasses adoptive mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, guardians, mentors, and others who provide care and guidance. The essence of motherhood is found in the commitment to nurture, support, and love unconditionally, regardless of genetic ties. This inclusive understanding recognizes the diverse forms that maternal relationships can take.  And Mother's Day is set aside to honor ALL of these women in our lives.

Embracing the Journey

Motherhood is a continuous journey of growth, learning, and transformation. It involves embracing both the joys and challenges, acknowledging imperfections, and striving to do one's best and learning from one's mistakes. This journey shapes not only the lives of children but also the mothers themselves, fostering personal development and profound fulfillment.

In essence, motherhood is a dynamic and enriching experience characterized by love, strength, presence, inclusivity, and personal growth. It is a testament to the profound impact that nurturing and compassionate care can have on individuals and society as a whole.

Navigating Complex Emotions

For Those Who Have Lost Their Mothers

While Mother's Day can be a sweet time for many, it's important to remember and be                respectful of those who have lost their mothers.  For some, they prefer a quiet time alone, to reflect and grieve their loss, while celebrating their memories privately.  For others, they enjoy being included in the activities of extended family or friends, so they can honor and celebrate other mothers and mother figures.  No matter how someone chooses to honor Mother's Day, it important to be respectful of each person's different needs.

          For Mothers Who Have Lost Children

          They say that the worst feeling is for a parent to to lose their own children, as we always expect              to pass before our children.  For mother's who have lost their children, the best thing you can do is           ask them how they'd prefer to honor or be honored on Mother's Day.  Never force your feelings or           ideas on someone else, especially someone who has experienced such a profound loss.  Either                  way, let them know you love and care about them.   You can also make gentle suggestions on                  special ways to commemorate their children.

          For Those with Strained Maternal Relationships

          Not everyone has a "unicorns and rainbows" relationship with their mothers.  In these situations,              it's still important to acknowledge and honor our mothers.  So many people wish they had done              things differently once their parents pass, including how they honored their parents on special                  days like Mother's Day, Father's Day, or birthday.  For those with strained relationships with their           mother on Mother's Day, it's important to have some boundaries in place prior to talking to to                  spending time with them.  If possible, share your boundaries with your mother prior to Mother's              Day and learn to practice self-care and self compassion during the holiday.  Do your best to set              aside your difference, at least for this one day.

         For Individuals Facing Infertility or Childlessness

         For those women who are facing infertility, Mother's Day can be bittersweet.  It may be a time of             grieving, or it could be a time of hopefulness.  If you have a woman in your life who is                             experiencing infertility, first and foremost, acknowledge and validate their feelings and help them          find alternative ways to find fulfilment and joy, on Mother's Day and throughout the year.   

Celebrating the Joys of Mother’s Day

Thoughtful Ways to Celebrate

Your family may already have some traditional ways you celebrate Mother's Day with the family.  If so, then by all means, continue to keep building those memories.  Or you can suggest other ways to enhance the celebrations. 

         Other families may not yet have family traditions for mother's day.  Some popular activities are             family gathers, focused on mom, personaliz3ed gifts that will be meaningful to mom, or full days          worth of experiences that honor mom's preferences and likes.   Another popular way to celebrate is          to give mom a way to take "time off" from her duties as a mother and pamper herself, such as a             spa day, etc.

Creating Lasting Memories

        

          No matter how you decide to celebrate Mother's Day, it's important to have meaningful                          interactions such as storytelling or the revisiting of cherished family transitions and memories or              gifts that represent these things.  And most important, is the gift of time.  This provides memories           that they can carry with them throughout the year.

Conclusion

            Embracing All Emotions
            It's okay to feel a range of emotions on Mother's Day.

            Honoring Mothers Every Day

            While we do set aside a special day to acknowledge and honor our mother's, that shouldn't stop                us from expressing our love and appreciation to them year-round.

If you'd like to see any of my previous blog posts, please click here.

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The Mustard Seed Marriage Podcast 

Married & Confused Podcast

If you'd like to hear the Married & Confused Podcast companion episode to this blog post (Mother's Day - Motherhood Expectations vs. Reality) please click here.