Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May every year. Initially intended as a peace process during the Second World War, today it is a day dedicated to mothers all over the world. Is it just a worry-point for your kids and a day for receiving gifts? Do you detest being drawn into the commercialisation whirlpool? Why not gift yourself something this Mother's Day and celebrate it in your own unique way? Do not wait for others to make the day special, you can do it yourself. After all, you owe yourself some indulgence too.
Why you should feel special
The concept of unconditional love is brought to life by mothers. You are the bank where your children deposit their worries and pains. You are the shelter that shields your kids from the fiercest storms. You enacted nursery rhymes and relearned Calculus to ensure that they topped the class. You became a child again, to be a friend to your own. There is no relationship as pure and loving as that of a mother and her child. There is no one who can equal the number of compromises that you have made willingly, only to see a smile on your child's face. And for all this, you never asked for any rewards except the happiness of your loved ones. Truly, few things can be as special as motherhood.
Go for a spa session
Acclaimed novelist Barbara Kingsolver says, 'It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't.' She is referring to children, of course. Are you still killing yourself everyday with all the running around? Maybe you do not have the luxury of going for a full-fledged holiday. But you can certainly set a mother's day evening aside for pandering to your own needs. Make an appointment with one of the many spas that are mushrooming all over. They offer relaxing massages, rejuvenating packs and treatments, sauna baths, and much more. Allow the masseur to smooth your cares away, as mellow chords play in the background. You are bound to feel like a new person once you allow yourself to step into these havens.
Make a pledge to yourself
Mothers overwork themselves all the time. You have mastered the art of multi-tasking and soothing ruffled feathers. You are always there for everyone, come night or day. But all the exertion can take a toll on your health. This mother's day, promise yourself that you will not ill-treat yourself or let others consider you a slave. Assign at least half an hour a day for introspection. Make a habit of dividing tasks between different family members. It will not hurt junior to clean up his room by himself once in a while. Do not let yourself be bulldozed into making decisions that are not yours. Refuse to entertain unreasonable demands or irreverent remarks from anyone. Demand respect and you shall have it.
Exchange roles
Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde once remarked, 'All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.' Here is your chance to redress Wilde's pronouncement. Exchange roles with your husband for a day. Let him be mommy while you take a backseat and watch! You can even let one of your children take up the role if they are old enough. From cooking to washing to cleaning to being agony aunt to buying the vegetables, let the appointed person do it all and know what it feels like to be a mother! You are allowed to give directions and advice, of course. Turn it into a Mother's Day game. At the end of the day you can have a voting session as to who is the better mother. And we all know the answer!
Have a mothers' meet
Who better to understand your motherhood ups and downs than other mothers? Organise a gathering of all the mothers in your neighbourhood, in your circle of friends and among your old classmates this Mother's Day. Do something fun like a brunch at the newly opened coffee shop or an evening at the theatre. If you feel more daring, you might even spend the grand night at a discothèque and have a blast! Pour out your hearts, have a catharsis of sorts if you wish, and raise a toast to motherhood. Shed your 'mother' bothers for a while and be yourself. Mother's Day is all about enjoying yourself after all.
Down memory lane
The dimensions of motherhood change with every stage in your children's lives. Take a walk down memory lane this Mother's Day. Flip through the photo albums and relive every moment of your kids' childhood. You may find yourself laughing at long-forgotten jokes and recalling little idiosyncrasies of your children that had slipped from your memory. If you are not feeling too great about your life right now, it helps to remind yourself of all those good moments. Acknowledge that motherhood is fun! As Mildred Vermont has said, 'Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.'
What did you do this Mother's Day? Did you gift yourself anything? Did your family pamper you or was it just another day? What are the joys and trials that you face as a mother? To share your experiences and views with us, click here.
