May brings all sorts of traditions and seasonal activities each year. And since I run Unschooling Mom2Mom, it seems appropriate to talk about Mothers Day this week.
Over the years, I’ve talked a lot about being a mom - who happened to unschool. I really do believe unschooling and homeschooling too, is a Mother’s Movement. Yes, I know, dads do this too - and some are wonderful! Some dads are even here receiving this email - and that's so awesome. But when I show up at a park day, there are mainly moms there. When I look at my Instagram analytics, it’s 97% women following what I post.
It’s one of the main reasons I chose the name Unschooling Mom2Mom. We have a lot to learn from each other - and when we do - we can have such a better experience with our families!
So that’s why I wanted to interrupt our regular discussion about unschooling per se, and talk a little about Mother's Day this week.
Some people are really into Mothers Day while others have a lot of negativity or sadness around it.
Seeing the happy Instagram posts and the Facebook sharing can make it worse.
An additional layer can be if you’re a single mom and you’re relying on your kids to remember to celebrate you on that 2nd Sunday in May. Single moms fare a little better within the school system, because classrooms focus on it all week. But homeschooled kids who are guided primarily by moms, don’t get the same Craft Prompts that the school kids do.
First, I want to give you a few ideas to pull to the front of your brain.
Mother’s Day has been really commercialized and puts a heckuva lot of pressure on this one day. You can do anything
you want to ease that pressure. If kids messing up your kitchen stresses you out, suggest a hike. Or a Selfie Photo Shoot in the back yard. But know that their love for you doesn’t change based on what day Hallmark says is the-most-important-day for mom!
As an unschooling mom, you already know about setting the stage for success. What can you do preemptively to help everyone feel good about Mother’s Day?
Text your favorite moms and tell them something you love about how they mother. You know, “to mother” is a verb! So that might even extend to Aunts and friends without kids who mother you or mother your kids. Let them feel appreciated for the nurturing they provide.
Invite your kids to think of single moms with young kids, or others who might have their Mother’s Day go unnoticed. A cheerful text from your kids wishing them a Happy Mother's Day will be soo lovely!
Wouldn't it be cool to support ALL moms - even ones who are barely holding it together and think everyone else is doing it better? Let's accept them and show some Real Life photos of Motherhood! Simple. Messy. Uncoordinated. However the day shows up for you!
I come back to this a lot, don’t I? A different way to focus on the receiving end for Mother’s Day, is to think about all the wonderful experiences, feelings and growth you’ve had BECAUSE you became a mom. List it out - what are you grateful for - all because you had these kids!
Did you know I have an Unschooling Guide that's ALL about Gratitude? If this is the direction you'd like to move, you'll love it:
That’s my Mother’s Day Message for you this week.
I hope you have a fabulous Mothers Day - as quiet or as raucous as you want it to be. I’ll put a few links below, if you’re needing some Mother’s Day ideas or Unschooling Resources.
I’m sending you tons of love - this week and always.︎