Every year that Mother’s Day approaches, I ask myself the same question:

Why do we show appreciation to our mother on just one day? 

Shouldn’t mothers be appreciated every day?

A mother does not receive a salary, expect promotion or public recognition, yet she cares, nurtures and sacrifices for her family, and carries the emotional, and even the financial, burden of her brood, not sometimes, but every day of the year…….so my questions only seem logical, don’t they? So, a bouquet of flowers, a greeting card or a special gesture on this day doesn’t come anywhere near to thanking her and expressing the appreciation she deserves. 

Perhaps Mother’s day was never meant to substitute for daily appreciation?

In a world that is revolving so fast, where routine chores consume our attention and relationships are taken for granted…having a designated day serves a much deeper purpose than mere appreciation. 

Mothers’ Day interrupts the autopilot mode that we are caught up in. It helps us to PAUSE…creating a collective moment to intentionally reflect on valuing someone who is central to our lives, but is rarely centered in our attention. 

So today I reframe my question……. What does Mother’s Day mean for me?  

It’s a day where I pause and honor the person who embodies love, warmth, and comfort….. a mother who shows up with consistency even when exhausted, who does it all even if there is no recognition. Her presence is beyond comforting……as she creates a home where I feel I truly belong, where I’m loved, and where I know I too hold a special place for her…..all of which contributes to my sense of well-being and self-worth.

So Mother’s Day can work as a yearly checkpoint…..a time when we reflect on some really important questions:

• Have I made enough time for my mother this year?

• Do I only reach out to her when I need something?

• What does she actually need from me now, at this stage of her life? Perhaps my time, emotional support, practical help, financial help, more frequent calls?

And the answers may be different each year. 

So beyond the question of what gift should I buy for her….a more meaningful, transformative question becomes:

What ongoing approach should I adopt before next Mother’s Day? 

Some examples could be:

• If she feels lonely…….commit to a weekly call or visit.
• If she carries most of the family labor…..redistribute responsibilities.
• If communication is strained……practice more honest or respectful conversations.
• If she neglects her own wellbeing while caring for others……encourage or facilitate her rest, hobbies, healthcare, or social support.

So in this way, Mothers’ Day will server not only as a reminder of how special mothers are but also as a moment where we commit to a behavioral change….a reality check, a yearly relational review and reset……one small but lasting shift in how we care, communicate or connect with our mothers. 

Appreciation without change is just intention without action.

So Happy Mother’s Day…..

…. not just as a celebration, but as a quiet promise to love a little better tomorrow and every day after.