Today is the day all mothers should feel loved. For me, that’s what it is all about. I have a strong objection to the materialistic aspect of Mother’s Day and The Hub and I have drilled it into the Barbarians that they should never spend money on either Mother’s or Father’s Day.
Instead, they should do little things to help, like make us a cuppa, or cook dinner. If they want to give us something it needs to be home made. Of course, mum’s should feel loved everyday – that’s more important than one day a year.
The modern Mother’s Day didn’t actually start out to be commercial. The modern origins date back to America in 1870 (post the Civil War). A women’s activist, Julia Ward Howe, called for women to unite and suggested a mother’s day for peace each year in June.
From: Wikimedia Commons
In 1908 Anna Marie Jarvis wanted to continue her mother’s work (her mother had created mother’s day work clubs to address public health issues). She campaigned to have a day set aside to honour all mothers. In 1914 she succeeded when US President Wilson declared the second Sunday in May to be Mother’s Day.
In 1924 the first Mother’s Day was held in Australia thanks to Janet Heyden. She’d seen the lonely and forgotten aged mother’s at a Sydney hospital following the losses from WWI.
It was at this time Mother’s Day became commercialised in the US. Hallmark and florists marketed products, much to the dismay of Anna Jarvis. She spent the rest of her life campaigning against the commercialisation of the day.
Mother’s Day is now a billion dollar industry in Australia, but at least it is a time for family to get together.
And for those who are wondering about Father’s Day…it was a commercial decision to counter Mother’s Day.
For all those Mum’s out there, whether your kids are two- or four-legged, I hope you have a wonderful day, even in lockdown.
How did you celebrate Mother’s Day?
May 10, 2020 at 9:37 pm
I love that you’re not all about the material things! Woohoo! I had a presentless birthday and honestly it was pretty great! I had emails and videos from people and that was really all I needed!
Happy Mother’s day again to you! 💐
We usually celebrate on the long weekend, Victoria Day, here in Canada. Like just my family lol Mother’s Day is today, Victoria Day weekend is next (the 18th being a holiday) and my mom’s birthday is on the 21st. So it gets all combined into one trip to my parents house for the long weekend. This year we are having a zoom call this afternoon all 4 of us!
May 12, 2020 at 4:46 pm
I had a day where my tea pot was bottomless – it’s the little things that count 🙂
May 11, 2020 at 1:42 am
I have always wanted only one thing for Mother’s Day and for my birthday. My kids know I want my hair brushed. So they will take turns and brush it. I still have 2 kids at home so I still get the brushing!
Hope your day is wonderful.
May 12, 2020 at 4:47 pm
That is exactly what my Nana used to want. 100 strokes with the hairbrush. Her bliss.
May 11, 2020 at 3:09 am
I love hearing about so many people who really don’t like the commercialism. My own mother demanded the card, the gift, and the phone call, so if any of the three were missing, her day was ruined and she’d tell all her neighbors about it for months. I vowed to never be like that with my own children.
This year, our two sons made plans to have dinner together at one of their apartments because our shelter-in-place restrictions have eased very, very slightly. Each of them and their gals has visited us within the past week (one is married and the other just got engaged, which was the wonderful reason for the visit), but they haven’t all seen each other for two months, and I’m glad they now have the opportunity. We call Mother’s Day and Father’s Day “Hallmark holidays” because of how much pressure there is for children to make the proper outward gestures.
May 12, 2020 at 4:49 pm
Ugh, that sounds like my mother-in-law. I think that’s one reason we’ve really pushed the boys to reject the notion of spending money.
May 11, 2020 at 4:31 am
Julia Ward Howe wtote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Happy Mother’s Day!
May 12, 2020 at 4:58 pm
John, I read your comment and thought, never heard of it so I looked it up (this military version: The Battle Hymn of the Republic, but when I listened to it I realised I did know it, but as Glory, Glory Hallelujah.
I also know another version we used to sing in girl guides and it was a story about a guy who parachutes without the chute Glory, glory what a hell of a way to die
May 11, 2020 at 10:21 am
My mother is 2300 miles away, so I called her.
May 12, 2020 at 5:00 pm
That’s a long way, Liz. My Mum is about half that distance away. We talk on the phone all the time, so mothers day was no different.