Tag: mother's day

I tend to get caught up in the daily activities and weekly planning to manage our gaggle of geese with activities, outings, and the like. Of course, there is long term planning for things like major holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, and the like, but I may be like some who sadly neglect to prioritize the day that acknowledges and celebrates the category of people who are the reason that human kind continues to keep spinning the proverbial thread on this planet. Let’s talk a little bit about this…

In our society, and from a cursory scan of other non-Western cultures, women tend to be the primary child caregiver. So much so, that it has become an assumption that people make. Meaning, we don’t have a second thought about who meal plans, who cooks, who cleans, who changes the diapers, who puts on the band aids, who gives the kisses, who is the emotional soother, who plans the birthdays, who makes the magic happen at holidays, who will sacrifice time and time again to take care of the family, and who is the one that is constantly NEEDED. Well, the answer is always, always “mom”.

As Tupac penned in “Dear Mama”, his 1995 masterpiece, “Lady, don’t you know we love you? (And dear Mama) Sweet lady, place no one above you. (You are appreciated)”

Moms make this world go round. They truly are the glue to our society. Let’s rise up and truly see the mother’s out there hustling, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.

Let’s break this thing down into 6 categories: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

The Who

This is a time to recognize and go out of your way to appreciate all mothers and female caregivers:

• Your own mother(s)
• The mother of your children
• Your step-mother
• The step-mother of your children
• Your grandmother
• Your mother-in-law
• You aunt who is a mother
• The neighbor across the street who is a mother
• Any mother at your work (working mom’s have a whole ‘nother bag of culturally ingrained guilt they have to deal with)
• The single mothers in your life
• Transgender mothers
• The woman who is pregnant
• Any woman who has struggled with infertility or miscarriage
• If appropriate in the relationship, both parties of a surrogate pregnancy
• Adoptive mothers
• Foster moms
• The woman who is the primary caregiver for a child, whether or not they have had their own biological children
• Any person who identifies as a woman who has tried to, has conceived, has delivered, or has cared for and provided for a child

The What

According to History.com, Mother’s day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908, although it wasn’t an officially recognized holiday until 1914. Like most every holiday widely celebrated in America, it quickly became highly commercialized. While attention is given to mother’s, we all know that “King Capitalism” is the true hero of the story on Mother’s Day. 

In 2013, InvestorPlace.com made a post sharing the “5 Mother’s Day Stocks for Many Happy Returns”, which included: (1) 1-800-FLOWERS.com, (2) Signet Jewelers, (3) Steiner Leisure, (4) Shutterfly, and (5) Best Buy. With a quick historical search of stock prices and share totals for these companies from this period, it was a pretty accurate prediction. Just last year Startup.info shared the industries that are set to benefit the most from the commercialization of Mother’s Day. Here are a few:

• companies that sell flowers 
• companies that sell technology
• companies that sell chocolate
• companies that sell jewelry
• companies that sell greeting cards
• companies that sell wine and alcohol

The particular companies that profit from the holiday may have changed over the years, but the sentiment has remained the same. In fact, it isn’t any different from the early 20th century. Anna Jarvis actually despised the way the holiday moved away from her original vision of honoring the sacrifices that mothers make for their children by providing acknowledgement and space for mothers and moved to big businesses marketing to the masses for their own personal gain. She spent the remainder of her life trying to get Mother’s Day removed from the American holiday canon. I’m not saying we need to abolish Mother’s Day, I’m just providing some historical context.

The When 

Mother’s Day is always the second Sunday in May.

In 2022 it is May 8th. 

In 2023 it is May 14th.

In 2024 it is May 12th. 

In 1914 it was May 10th.

In 2069 it will be May 12th (again).

The Where

The countries and territories that celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May include:

There are 25 other countries and territories that celebrate Mother’s Day, just on a different day of the year. No matter where you are, Mother’s Day happens everywhere because there are mothers everywhere that deserve some attention.

The Why 

We have already gone over this one. I’m thankful that men and women over the years have advocated for a day that honors the sacrifices and love that mothers and mother figures share for those around them endlessly, day in and day out. We shouldn’t just consider a candy bar and a pink carnation enough to “check off the box” for Mother’s Day. We all should pay our time, our words, our affections, our energy, our entire day to unequivocally show love and honor to the mothers and mother figures around us.

The How

You know that mother in your life best. If all they want and need is a Hallmark Card, a heart shaped box of chocolates, and for you to do the dishes and make some pancakes, then by all means do that. But, don’t just rely on the “Top 10 Things to Do for Mother’s Day” blog posts online. Think for yourself. Use your knowledge of that mom and mother figure. Maybe consider asking yourself the following questions to find a meaningful gift: 

• What does she mention that she wants in passing conversation? (not necessarily a physical item)
• What does she do in her spare time?
• What does she want to do in her spare time?
• Is spare time even a reality for her?
• How does she treat herself?
• What things does she keep putting in her online shopping cart and then removing?
• What companies does she follow online or share on her IG stories?

I’m just a dumb dad (for real, I’m super dense), but a good idea might be writing letters that mention all the things that you see that mom doing that goes unrecognized most everyday, maybe set up a date for that mom to get time by herself or with friends without you or any kids, maybe put together a photo book of photos of that mom with the kids. A 2021 Marist Poll shows that on average 13% of family pictures include pictures of just mom with the kids. We can see that the majority of the remaining 87% are pictures of just the kids doing stuff or rather pretending like they are just doing stuff for the pictures. (disclaimer: all statistics are entirely made up, however they do accurately represent this sad reality). 

BUT, since this is a Chattanooga blog here are some local ideas:

1. Mom’s Night Out: Cake Decorating at The Chattery

On Friday, May 6th from 7:00-8:30pm mom’s can get out and learn from the fabulous foodie Meghan Splawn how to decorate a cake provided by B’s Sweet Bakery. Maybe before decorating cakes at The Chattery, grab some tacos, guac, and margs at Taqueria Jalisco and then afterwards take a little stroll down to Exile Off Main Street, Fountainhead Taproom, or Heaven & Ale Brewing Co. for some evening drinks.

*The price for admission is $25. Ticket sales end Tuesday, May 3 at 5pm

2.  World’s Best Mom Market at The Chattery

This market is on Saturday, May 7th from 10-2 again at The Chattery. There will be plenty of booths and vendors with mother’s day kits, flowers, bags, cocktail kits, and more. Neat Pony will be doing a live screen printing of “World’s Best Mom” shirts with purchase of select BloomHeart Flower Co. bouquets. In addition, check out the caffeine offerings from Sleepyhead Coffee! All moms need a jolt of the juice.

3. Mother’s Day Celebration at the Chattanooga Market (First Horizon Pavilion)

The market is now open for the 2022 season, including Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8th, from 11am – 4pm. There will be specially themed Mother’s Day items provided by the vendors. Word on the street is that moms are small business owners too. Support your local small businesses and support your local moms. 

4. Music & Mother’s Day on the Patio at 1885

On Sunday, May 8th from 12-3 there will be food, live music, and *mimosas*. Non-mom’s won’t be “turned away” per se, however, let’s give all the mom’s a chance to enjoy some time without you or the snottlings. Live music will be provided by Amber Fults, Rossville native and dog mom rather adept with rocking the music scene in Chattanooga.

Whatever you do, make that mom feel genuinely seen, loved, and appreciated in a way that they value and personally connect with.

*Special thanks to Lynae Glass for the photography and Jason Moore for some edits and suggestions.*