Mother's Day is a bit like Christmas Day in that each family has their own special way of celebrating it. There are your particular traditions and histories, memories and emotions.





Many types of Mum on Mothers Day





I have been a Mummy for just over 12 years now and, along with our girls' birthdays it is always a marker in time at which to reflect on our journey of parenthood. The happiness, the love, the worry, the hamster wheel of exhaustion, the lessons learned, the giggles and tickles, the battles of will, the grey hairs gained, the way Motherhood permanently changes you, immeasurably, for the better...



Growing up, Mother's Day was always a special service in church, followed by a large roast lunch and presents and cards for Mum. There were the simple gifts of daffodils and hyathinths that had usually been planted in pots weeks earlier during Sunday School. And just writing this brings back the smell of the musty little upstairs room we prepared those floral tributes to our Mummies in, all those years ago.





I suppose we've taken on similar traditions in our house too, although we are not regular church-goers and would typically instead go for a walk on the beach or in the woods, then fill our tummies with a roast dinner in our local eatery before watching a family film together on the sofa or playing a board game.

My husband always helps the girls choose little presents and factors in some Mummy alone time, usually in the form of a peaceful lie-in or an afternoon nap (when did sleep become the only gift I crave?).





My mum lives 6 hours away, so we won't be able to share the day with her. We've sent our gift and card and will chat to her of course, then...





Suddenly I realised in a heartbeat that, again like Christmas, Mother's Day is not always a perfect, happy chocolate box occasion for everyone. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to it.





I am thinking of those who are single Mums of tiny ones, with no-one to organise the treat or time out they so richly deserve. The widows too, whose sorely missed husbands helped create their beautiful families and make them Mothers, for whom Mother's Day must also be an emotional marker in time.





I extend the hand of support to Mums for whom parenting brings unsurmountable challenges, where each day is a struggle to keep afloat. New mums battling depression or exhaustion, for whom the shock of a shift in lifestyle is unbearable.





I am thinking of those whose relationships with their mothers have broken down for whatever reason. Tomorrow will be a time of 'what ifs' and 'whys', if not anger and resentment, for not all mothers are warm and caring, but can be the cause of pain and suffering.





I am thinking of the women who are not able to conceive, desperate to be Mummies but on a different path. And dear friends who have lost babies or children at whatever age. They are Mothers for sure, but with aching arms and hearts that struggle to beat. Others watch their little ones as they stay in hospital on this day, motherhood for them is worry, anxiety and hope.

'Being a Mum is a privilege and not a right after all.'

Then there are the stand-in Mothers, the foster Mummies, the Grandparents who bring up their grandchildren, the carers who might take on the lion's share of a child's support. We thank you too.





So, let's all count the blessings we have, and appreciate and celebrate Mummies in all their forms, even the single Dads who take on the role of Mother and Father, for we do not all conform to a Clinton's Card template. To each and every one of you, today is your day.



I phoned my best friend in the world just now, she has just adopted a little boy, to tell her how very proud I am of her on her first Mother's day. For the love that being a mummy brings does not always grow within your womb, but instead in your heart. Her journey of motherhood has been long and emotional and difficult, but finally a beautiful little boy has found his forever family.





So if you are planning a perfect Mothering Sunday with breakfast in bed and lunch cooked for you, some relaxing time out and all your children and a loving partner around you, you might just be in the minority.









But we can all thank our children for making us the Mummies we are.



You might also like to read Thank You Body for Making Me a Mum



























