Mother's Day and the Single Mom: How to Celebrate

Generally speaking, mothers are the unsung heroes of family life, selflessly attending to the needs of others over their own. This is what makes Mother’s Day so special, as it is a rare opportunity for the family to express their gratitude for all that mom does. Indeed, for most mothers, there is no need to advertise the approach of Mother’s Day, as their partners or spouses are normally the ones to orchestrate any celebrations.

Single moms, on the other hand, may be hesitant to make a big deal out of this special day, as they may feel awkward about making plans. However, it is important for both you and your children that the day not go by unacknowledged.

Mother’s Day History
In some shape or form, people have been celebrating Mother’s Day for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, for example, people celebrated a holiday honoring Rhea, mother of the gods. The Romans, for their part, celebrated a similar holiday in honor of the mother goddess Cybele.

In Britain, the celebrated goddess was St. Brigid. This Mother’s Day celebration took place in spring, coinciding with the milking of the ewes.

Tips for Celebrating (Single) Mother’s Day!

1. Teach your children about Mother’s Day. If you haven’t already, take the time to explain to your kids why we celebrate Mother’s Day. There are some great books available that can explain the concept if you feel that might be more effective.

2. Be honest with your children about what you want. Don’t be shy when it comes to talking to your kids about how you’d like to spend your Mother’s Day. If you’d like to go out for brunch, simply say so. This will make things a lot simpler for everyone, and avoid any resentment or feelings of guilt for both yourself and your children.

3. Make Mother’s Day gifts together! This is an especially good idea if you have young children. Invite them to make arts and crafts with you that are representative of their feelings about Mother’s Day. For example, you can make Mother’s Day cards, collages, or simply a batch of your favorite cookies together!

4. Take time for yourself. While it’s great to be able to spend time with your children on Mother’s Day, it’s also important that you take some time just for you. Whether it’s a massage at the spa, or simply a walk outside, be sure to give yourself some time to reflect on your own feelings about being a mother. Taking stock of your feelings will also help you get in touch with the reasons why you deserve to be celebrated in the first place!