The Ask Sharon column as it appeared in The Area News today Friday 8 May, 2015.
Ask Sharon
Show Mum you care on Mother’s Day
THIS week the sea of pink and excessive use of the word ‘special’ prompted me to recall conversations I’ve had with my mummy friends. One of them had asked,
“Does Mothers Day really mean anything anyway?”
I began digging. Mothers Day was founded by American Anna Jarvis to honour her own and other mothers as “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”. When Mothers Day was proclaimed as a national holiday in 1914, it wasn’t long before certain card-making companies began cashing in. “Jarvis’s intention for the holiday had been for people to appreciate and honour mothers by writing a personal letter, by hand, expressing love and gratitude, rather than buying gifts and pre-made cards.”
So what does all this mean to modern mothers? Are they prepared to trade the fluffy slippers and a sleep-in (well, maybe not the sleep-in) for a hand-made card and a thank you?
Most mothers embrace the mother of all roles with gusto but somewhere along the way of nappies, nap times and Nanna naps (if we’re lucky!) we can lose ourselves. We can even lose our identity, our freedom and for some, our dress sense – flats over heels is no longer a choice but a necessity.
So what’s the key to showing mum how much she is appreciated for her dedication? Sincerity. And it can come in many forms.
Tips on how to uphold the true sentiment of Mothers Day – Jarvis-style:
- Help, help and more help but without being asked – with great gestures comes great recognition!
- Compassion – a little understanding can go a long way.
- Support her dreams. In Buddhism this is referred to as sympathetic joy. It’s a two-way street kind of notion, so let’s revisit it when Fathers Day rolls around.
- Anything you can do to help ‘mum’ honour her own needs will be well received (never underestimate the value of uninterrupted bathroom time).
- If in doubt, act from love.
Given the significance of the motherhood issue, next week I’ll be delving deeper into how mothers can reclaim their sanity and sense of self the other 364 days of the year.
Send your questions for Sharon to editor@areanews.com.au
