I couldn’t agree more with Claudia Winkleman’s recent comments about Mother’s Day. As a mom of three kids myself, I completely understand her feelings towards this holiday. Mother’s Day, with all its flowers, cards, and breakfast in bed, has never really been my cup of tea.
The Commercial Nature and Smugness
Mother’s Day has become so commercialized and overhyped. The cost of flowers skyrockets and the pressure to buy extravagant gifts can be overwhelming. But what bothers me even more is the sheer smugness that seems to envelop all the moms I encounter on that day. It’s as if they’ve accomplished the greatest feat ever by simply being a mother for 24 hours. It’s just childbirth, for heaven’s sake!
My Lackluster Mother’s Day Experiences
My first Mother’s Day was back in 2005 when my eldest was just one year old. I received a pop CD as a gift, and that’s when I realized that Mother’s Day could be just as underwhelming and uninspiring as any other day. Over the years, my kids have forgotten the day, which I’m secretly grateful for. However, my teenage daughter insists on celebrating it, much to my chagrin.
The Unnecessary Celebration
Don’t get me wrong, I love being a parent. It’s one of the most important roles in my life. But why should I expect my kids to shower me with praise and gifts for something they had no say in? They didn’t ask to be born, so why should they be obligated to celebrate my “maternal brilliance”?
A Bad Daughter, A Mediocre Mom
If I’m honest with myself, I haven’t been the best daughter either when it comes to celebrating my own mother on Mother’s Day. There was a decade-long streak when I didn’t send her a single card. Only after my dad intervened did I resume the tradition, albeit with belated cards.
The Messy Crafts and Forced Celebrations
I detest the arts and crafts projects that kids bring home from school. To me, they’re just a mess that I have to clean up and recycle. Besides, it’s always me who has to run around looking for supplies so my kids can attempt (and usually fail) to recreate something they saw on TikTok or YouTube.
All I Want is Peace and Quiet
To be honest, all I really want on Mother’s Day is a break. I don’t need cards, gifts, or flowers. I’d much rather have a peaceful day without having to shuttle my kids around or attend to their needs. If they could just do simple chores like emptying the dishwasher, picking up their towels, and making their beds, that would be the best gift of all.
Mother’s Day isn’t for every mom, and it certainly isn’t for me. So, this year, I’ve decided to banish the holiday from my house and enjoy a day of tranquility instead. If other moms find joy in the festivities, that’s great. But for me, Mother’s Day is just another day, and that’s perfectly fine.
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