As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself grappling with a mix of emotions. Perhaps it's the absence of my own mother, or maybe it's the realization that not all my children will be with me. Whatever the reason, I know I'm not alone in finding Mother's Day a complex occasion.
In my role as a teacher, I've always found Mother's Day to be a challenging holiday to navigate in the classroom. While my colleagues are busy helping students create heartfelt gifts for their mothers, I often find myself considering the children in our classes who may be conflicted about this celebration.
There are students who don't have a mother present in their lives. For them, the idea of making a gift specifically for someone who isn't there can be confusing and even painful. Then there are students with two mothers, unsure of which one should receive their gift. They worry, "Does choosing one mean I love the other less?"
Others question why we designate only one day to celebrate our mothers. Shouldn't we show our appreciation every day? Why limit our gratitude to a single day? And what about the students who don't have anyone to help them make or buy a Mother's Day gift? Does it mean they love their mothers any less?
As someone who cherishes spending time with my children and enjoys the tradition of brunch on Mother's Day, my heart goes out to those who don't have that loving experience with their mothers. When I reflect on this, I'm reminded of one of my mother's most cherished possessions: a box filled with old letters, essays, and cards from her children. Among them is a letter I wrote in the fourth grade, where I shared my young thoughts on why mothers deserved respect, simply because they carried us for “at least five months” or paid for us. Looking back, I can't help but chuckle at my youthful naivety, even at the idea of being upset with my mom and wishing her dead.
To my mom, I miss you every day.
This Mother's Day, let's remember to be mindful of the varied emotions this holiday can evoke in our classrooms and in our lives.
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