Mother's Day Is For My Kids. And I'm Okay With That.
Mothers are kind, mothers are sweet Every mother is special, a genuine treat
Welcome back to Good Life, a newsletter about navigating our modern culture and staying sane in the process. This weekend, we will discuss the Mother’s Day tradition of actually spending time with your children.
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I wanted to join in on the Mother’s Day discourse this week, but didn’t because if you read Tuesday’s newsletter, you would know that I was dealing with quite the Spelling Test issue. So, despite it being almost a week since the actual day, I have something I’d like to add.
A lot of mothers seem to hate Mother’s Day, which I can sympathize with to an extent. They claim it carries a heightened obligation to enjoy whatever their husbands and children have planned, even if it is farthest from what they want to do. In all fairness, it does, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Some moms explained that they combat this by allowing their husbands to book a hotel. Not for the family. It’s an overnight staycation just for the moms to enjoy. They post videos of themselves in robes doing their skincare routines while waiting for their room service to arrive. This is bliss, they tell everyone.
“I don’t have to put my kids to bed or answer any questions. I get to eat my food without sharing it. No one is coming up and interrupting my shows. I’m not breaking up any sibling fights or cooking anyone meals.”
I don’t begrudge them their relaxation. Being a mother myself, I’ll be the first to admit that getting a break every once in a while is a must. Being the chauffeur, chef, schedule-keeper, and emotional regulator of the home is taxing. The toll is seen in our messy buns and tired eyes.
However, Mother’s Day isn’t really about mothers when your children are little. I know. I know. The name of the holiday literally has “mother” in it, but just bear with me so I can explain.