While the shops, florists and bakers all over the world went nuts with sales and promotions, the influencers were hard at work, showing us the over-the-top gifts and loving they received from their loved ones.
A day that was originally meant to show appreciation to mothers around the world has been turned into a competition of materialistic equivalence of affection and appreciation. Over the years, Mother’s Day gifts changed from homemade art and crafts from the kids to luxurious holidays, flowers and jewellery from the significant other.
I once watched a video of a comedian from the US who said that Mother’s Day was the second-most celebrated holiday in the world. The first being Christmas. In his own words in terms of hierarchy of importance, he said, “First it's Jesus, then yo mama!”
As much as I like the idea of Mother’s Day and the fuss around it, as a mother, I have come to realise that the significance of the day has been greatly diminished by the trendiness of it all. Being showered by material gifts and affection on Sunday but then you deal with dinners and dishes on Sunday night and loads of laundry on Monday morning — is barely a cause for celebration.
A real fete would be to find ways to lessen the load a mother has to deal with on a daily basis. And not just on Mother’s Day Sunday! I mean a permanent way to share responsibilities that primarily fall on the mothers’ shoulders. Ask any mother in the world what they want for Mother’s Day, regardless of race, creed or economic background, the answer will be the same: to do less.
Over the years, mothers have modified Mother’s Day into a ‘me day’. A day where they celebrate by not being burdened by motherly duties. No cooking, no cleaning, dad taking care of the kids and so on. Instead of family and celebration, many opt to utilise this day to reconnect with themselves and take a break from the everyday duties that come with being a mother.
Being a mother (especially to young ones) means forgetting about oneself because your mind and body are consumed by thoughts and service to your children. A mother will stop mid-stream when she hears a baby's cry. Or she will even sit on the toilet doing her business with a baby on the lap.
When father's do a mother's job for one day, they are completely drained by it. Now try doing it 24 hours of the day, seven days a week up until your children leave the house.
