Fed up of Mother's Day already!

Alchemilla

margaretclare wrote: »

It's not Mother's Day. In England it's called Mothering Sunday. There is a tradition behind it.

Yes, Mother's Day is being promoted because of commercialism.

There have been many 'special days' in the year which our ancestors would have known about, which have now sunk without trace because they have no potential for money-making.

It's still possible - just - to get a card which gives the day its correct name. My stepdaughter told me a year ago that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find one. I told her not to worry - I'll take the thought for the deed.

We're going to the Mothering Sunday service at church and then to a local pub which is advertising a 'Mothering Sunday lunch'. I don't go anywhere that says 'Mother's Day'.

This. It is a festival in the Christian calendar. If not interested and not a Christian then why bother?

abailey54

I struggle with what to do for mother's day since mine passed - can't do flowers on the grave for various reasons, somehow thinking about her doesn't seem enough. Do any of you whose mother's aren't with us recognise it in any way? What do you do?

I don't see the point in getting wound up about the name of the day. The words have always been used interchangeably as far as I remember. Today many people refer to Christmas as 'the winter holidays' and many more people are referring to 'seasons greetings' as opposed to 'happy Christmas' (particularly in the workplace). I don't think it really matters, as long as you are enabled to celebrate whatever is within your beliefs to celebrate

It's a shame if you can't find a card for what you want to call it though - there's always moonpig, or making your own (what about Christian bookshops?)

abailey54

Alchemilla wrote: »

This. It is a festival in the Christian calendar. If not interested and not a Christian then why bother?

There are a lot of non-Christians who celebrate Christian holidays - Christmas is probably the best example. There are many reasons for celebrating Christmas, not least of which to lighten the mood in the cold dark months with lights, decorations, evergreens and spending time with people you love the most.

Personally, until reading this thread, I had no idea that mother's day had an even vaguely religious basis, yet have been recognising it for as long as I can remember

Frith

My sons are at their father's this weekend.

I've been to Sainsburys. I am now making myself a carrot cake.

bylromarha

abailey54 wrote: »

I struggle with what to do for mother's day since mine passed - can't do flowers on the grave for various reasons, somehow thinking about her doesn't seem enough. Do any of you whose mother's aren't with us recognise it in any way? What do you do?

Dad died when I was 3 so never did Fathers Day. Thinking about those you've lost is just fine I think. If you feel the need to do something, how about a donation to a charity close to your mums heart?

Growing up, I wrote Dad letters at key life moments...exam results, engagement. I'd then burn them and watch the smoke rise, see the ashes left, and reflect on that.

gingin_2

Well, I got zilch. No effort, no cup of tea, nothing. I am fuming and really disappointed given I do everything bar bring in the wages for the family. I made them smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast then left them to eat it and have remained in bed ever since.

I feel like running off and staying in a hotel for the night.

ellie99

bylromarha wrote: »

The school I teach at frustrates me. Mums get invited in for the afternoon to work with their kids on family crafts in KS1. KS2 have a tea party for their mums.

Come Fathers Day, you're lucky if you can get the kids card making for their dad without the head telling you off-I got a reprimand last year for my class having timetabled time for fathers day cards.

All because some families are fractured, those who do have dads in their lives suffer. The fact that not all the mums are around was conveniently forgotten in this weeks celebrations. Either do it for both, or do it for neither.

I would have thought that the total opposite was true...it's hardly SUFFERING to not be able to make a fathers day card in school...worse to have no father in your life at all.

Do it for both, or neither? I would say neither...it's not the schools responsibility to make cards for parents, and it's always going to hurt someone who doesn't fit the "norm". You could say they just have to toughen up and get used to the bad things in life, but they're just little kids...plenty of time for that later. My kids father died before they had even started school...every year at fathers day I felt for them, and hoped it hadn't been made worse by their school going on about it.

Alchemilla

abailey54 wrote: »

There are a lot of non-Christians who celebrate Christian holidays - Christmas is probably the best example. There are many reasons for celebrating Christmas, not least of which to lighten the mood in the cold dark months with lights, decorations, evergreens and spending time with people you love the most.

Personally, until reading this thread, I had no idea that mother's day had an even vaguely religious basis, yet have been recognising it for as long as I can remember

My point precisely. You are interested, you celebrate it. You're not, and you have no religious compulsion to, you don't.

sulkisu

gingin wrote: »

Well, I got zilch. No effort, no cup of tea, nothing. I am fuming and really disappointed given I do everything bar bring in the wages for the family. I made them smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast then left them to eat it and have remained in bed ever since.

I feel like running off and staying in a hotel for the night.

You should have made breakfast for yourself, taken it back to bed and left them to it! I second the hotel for a night idea.

As for me, I am absolutely loving the day and I don't care what they call it .
If you have read my previous threads you will know that I spent my late 20s, 30s and early 40s believing (and struggling to come to terms with the fact) that I was infertile after suffering cancer. I then conceived naturally twice aged 44 and 45 and as a result have three beautiful, healthy boys.

Mothers day was always painful and depressing for me - so I truly sympathise with those who are struggling to conceive. I used to get incredibly !!!!ed off with mothers who complained about the commerciality of the day, or the crappy presents that their husbands and kids had bought them - thinking 'you really have no idea how lucky you are'. But I even understand that now. Motherhood means different things to all of us - we all got here via a different route. However, just like Fathers Day, Christmas and Valentines day, it is what you make it.
I didn't get a card, flowers or chocolates, because I didn't want them. All I wanted was for the five of us to spend an uninterrupted day together - and we are.

SailorSam

I've been down to the Crem with a card, but i was the only one. I may go tomorrow to see are there any more cards. Now they can't borrow money they don't visit as often.