This year I will be celebrating my 10th Mother’s Day.
Over the years I have learned a few things. How to approach Mother’s Day is one of them.
Last year there were tears.
I’m sure I could write volumes about what Mother’s Day is and isn’t but I will just leave you with this…
Don’t dwell on what Mother’s Day isn’t and be grateful for what it is…let it go, enjoy the ride.
Happy Mother’s Day Mums…you are amazing…
mamacino x
I’m not sure I was born to be a Mother.
I mean I love being a mother, I love my children and of course, I love being part of a family. I’m just not sure it’s the job I was born to do. Actually, maybe it’s not the mothering part…perhaps it’s what comes along with it.
It’s not fun to be yelled at for giving someone tuna on their sandwich instead of sausage. It hurts to have every meal you prepare met with a colossal sigh of disappointment and loathing. It’s not nice to feel like you have to justify every minute or every dollar you spend on your own well being. It sucks to constantly clean up after people who don’t appreciate it. It’s exhausting to spend all of your time trying to persuade/convince/force people do things they apparently don’t want to do (have bath, brush hair, eat avocado…).
Not being paid doesn’t help. No. We don’t get paid the big bucks for the job we do…but that’s not to say we work for free. We work for LOVE. It’s kindness, gratitude, warmth and love that fills our bank and if you neglect to make regular deposits into our account we start to wilt. We start to wilt, and wither and eventually, well, eventually, we will get our cranky pants on.
from pinterest
Us Mums are constantly being reminded of how we should treat our families…be kind, be fun…spend time with our children, listen to what they really want…and we do it. We turn ourselves inside out doing it. But Mums are people too. We deserve some respect. All we ask is that you be kind to us. Ask us how our day was. Smile occasionally. And if you could stretch to hanging up your wet towel, well that would be great, actually, that would be awesome.
So, how about it…here are some ways to fill your Mum’s Love Tank
Time
We don’t need much…just enough for a shower in peace or to go to the loo by ourself…or why not send us off down the street for a quiet coffee in our favourite cafe sometime…without the guilt.
Presents
I know we always say a card is enough and it’s the thought that counts but you know what, that’s crap. Mum’s love presents! Why not surprise us with a bunch of flowers every now and then. Or some chocolate. Or wine…wine is good!
Use your manners
Say please. Say thank you. It’s so easy. It makes us feel like we’re doing something right and all the hard work is worth it!
Smile, be happy
What we really love, what makes us feel totally devoted and may see you in with a chance of getting lasagne for dinner is when we see you happy. When you’re happy, we’re happy. It’s as easy as that.
The little things
Share the last piece of chocolate with us (especially if you bought it for us in the first place), bring us a cup of tea, fold the washing, give random hugs, tell us how much you love us…every day.
from pinterest
See? It’s easy. And it’s in your best interests!
What do you do to show your Mum you love her and appreciate all she does for you? Does your family remember to stock up your stores of love and kindness?
What happens when they don’t?
Have a happy day,
mamacino x
I’ve had a certain spring in my step lately…a smile on my face, a sparkle in my eye. I have been happy, really happy. There have been no monumental changes around here…life is basically the same as it has always been. The change has been in my attitude, the way I look at things, the way I consider myself.
I have also had the opportunity to connect with some amazing women, many of whom are facing real challenges in their lives. It has made me think about my own values, about what I stand for. It has made me realise how lucky I am and how much I have to be thankful for.
This edition of Peppermint Magazine has a wonderful story about gratitude…well worth a read…
Of course, we are all grateful for our families, our well being, having food on the table…but it goes beyond that. It’s great if you can take the time to appreciate the small things…eating snow peas straight from the garden (and even more exciting – your toddler enjoying them!), snuggling on the couch with our beautiful daughters who actually want to snuggle and be with us, having the opportunity to teach and guide and grow with them. Eating good, wholesome food and feeling well within our bodies, accepting we might not be perfect but we make a mean omlette and can get a five year old to drink a green smoothie….the list goes on and on.
Being mindful of all I am grateful for has seen a huge improvement in how I live my life. I smile more, I move more slowly, I have time to listen and care less about being perfect. I treat my body better and feel better for it. I am patient and kind to my Leonardo (who you may remember from a few posts back as the devil incarnated as a toddler) and we are now engrossed in a love affair so rich he lights up when he sees me and smothers me in sloppy, full-on-the-mouth kisses. I am hoping the time we spend together now will lead to some kind of easier path in the future…a friendship of kinds.
My ‘spirited’ boy…
So, before you start worrying about me skipping off to hug trees or join a cult or something, I just want to say…it’s not that unusual, this being happy business. It’s how we all can be. We all have something in our life, some shining light, big or small to be thankful for. Take some time to reflect on what that is exactly for you…it will make you smile and brighten your day…I promise.
What are you thankful for? Do you do anything special to record your gratitude like a journal, photo gallery? Feel free to leave a comment and share the love…
Keep smiling,
mamacino xx
