Mother’s Day
Best Flight Deals to Treat Your Mom for Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honouring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Mom For Mother's Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, although commonly in the months of March or May.
In the United States, it is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It began in the early 20th century when Anna Jarvis wanted to honour her mother's work and set aside a day to honour all mothers because she believed that they were “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
In the UK, Mother's Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent and it's traditionally known as “Mothering Sunday”.
In addition to these, many other countries have their own traditions and dates for Mother's Day. It's typically a day to show appreciation towards mothers and mother figures worldwide. This can be done by giving gifts, cards, flowers, or by doing something nice for mothers, like making them breakfast in bed or giving them the day off from their usual chores.
As of my last training cut-off in September 2021, these were the prevalent customs surrounding Mother's Day. Please check locally for any recent changes or additions to these traditions.
Mother’s Day and the Bustling History Behind It
Mother's Day is a celebration of mothers, and its history can be traced back to ancient times. It was originally connected with goddesses and symbols of motherhood, later evolving into a more modern celebration of individual mothers.
In ancient Greece, for instance, spring festivals were held in honour of Rhea, the mother of many deities in Greek mythology. The Romans also had a festival known as Hilaria, dedicated to Cybele, a mother goddess, which was celebrated around the time of the Vernal Equinox.
Early Christians celebrated a day known as “Mothering Sunday,” which originally started as a day when people returned to their “mother church” (the main church or cathedral in the area) for a special service. This tradition eventually shifted into a more secular holiday where children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother's Day in the 1930s and 1940s.
In the United States, the idea of an official celebration of Mother's Day was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872. Howe, who wrote the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” suggested that mothers should have a dedicated day and led a peaceful demonstration in Boston for mothers of men who had been killed in the American Civil War.
However, the modern Mother's Day is typically associated with Anna Jarvis. After her mother's death in 1905, Jarvis conceived of Mother's Day as a way of honouring the sacrifices mothers made for their children. After years of dedicated lobbying, campaigning, and letter writing, her efforts bore fruit in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a measure officially establishing the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Although Jarvis initially envisioned Mother's Day as a day of personal celebration between mothers and families, it quickly became highly popular and commercialised, with businesses capitalising on the day by selling flowers, cards, and other gifts. Jarvis disapproved of the commercialization of the holiday and spent the rest of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.
Despite these challenges, Mom For Mother's Day continues to be a hugely popular holiday around the world. The ways it is celebrated may vary, but the spirit of honouring and expressing love and gratitude to mothers remains a common thread.
Celebrating the Mother’s Day and Its Relevance to Modern Concept
The relevance of Mother's Day in the modern world is multifaceted.
Appreciation and Gratitude: At its core, Mother's Day is a day to show appreciation and gratitude to mothers and mother figures. Mothers often undertake a lot of work—both seen and unseen—in their families and communities. The holiday serves as a reminder to express love and appreciation for all that mothers do.
Recognition of the Role of Mothers: The day brings focus to the significance of mothers in our society and personal lives. It serves as a reminder of the role mothers play in nurturing, shaping, and supporting their children's growth and development.
Reflection and Connection: It is a time to reflect on the relationships with our own mothers or mother figures. For some, it's a time of joyful celebration and connection. For others, it can be a time of reflection or healing.
Commercial Relevance: In the modern era, Mother's Day also holds significant commercial relevance. Businesses, particularly those in the sectors of greeting cards, flowers, and dining, see a boost on Mother's Day.
Societal Awareness: Mother's Day can also be a time to raise awareness about issues facing mothers today, like pay equity, maternity leave policies, and child care.
Inclusive Celebrations:
Over the years, the celebration of Mother's Day has expanded to not just recognize biological mothers, but also stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and other women who've played significant roles in people's lives. This is especially relevant in the modern concept of a “family,” which can include various combinations of connections, both biological and chosen.
However, it is important to note that the relevance of Mother's Day can vary greatly from person to person. While some people find great joy and connection in the holiday, others may find it painful or challenging due to personal circumstances. As we celebrate, it's vital to be sensitive to these varying experiences and perceptions of Mother's Day.