Happy Mother's Day - Not to You!

                                                                           

Your day is coming. My day is coming. Not so fast. Have you ever considered Mother's Day shouldn't be our day after all?

I know. We're mothers. We're accustomed to being celebrated on Mother's Day.  We get our way at least one day of the year. Consider not this year. This year could bring a new perspective. It could bring a change of heart by opening up our heart. We have the opportunity to graciously give over our expectations and our traditions....as a gift back to those children of ours.  

We have had many a Mother's Days. We have been celebrated as the "belle of the ball."  Now it's time to be more the "butler at the ball." We still have a significant role to play but not necessarily the leading role.  Just because "it's" always been done does not warrant "it" continuing.

Get what I'm laying down?!

Relish each and every Mother's Day while your kids are kids and while they have no kids. These years bring enjoyment in being the "lady of the day." After those precious grandkids come your way, it's time to step out of the way.

Why, you ask. So glad you asked......

We are no longer in the thick of things. Mothering isn't our minute by minute daily duty. Been there. Done that. We are not currently the weary warrior on the front lines. We might have interrupted sleep but it's because of hot flashes, not a crying baby or a frightened two year old.

All the young moms out there should call the shots this Mother's Day. The rest of us should fall in line taking our place in the back of the line gracefully and cheerfully. Our place is second place. Our wishes and agendas for our day should surrender to theirs. We had our day - many of them. Now it's their turn to pick, to choose, to decide how Mother's Day should be celebrated. If we don't fit into their plans, so be it! Our wishes should bow down to theirs.

Let's address another's daily reality......A young mom's job is the most impactful of any in the universe as well as the most difficult......way more difficult than in our day. They are the ones who must be lifted up and told encouraging words they are craving to hear. These moms must sense appreciation for a job well done as they raise the leaders of tomorrow. They need a team of cheerleaders giving them the fuel to get through all those challenging days where they see little to no fruit and receive little to no credit. 

We can make the difference. Share a job review for a job well done. Give a paycheck not otherwise received. Goodness knows those little ones don't say thank you after they get their nose or bottom wiped for the hundredth time. Why not us?!  

Maybe...just maybe getting to pick the restaurant on a certain special Sunday might be the pick-me-up that makes the significant difference. Maybe we offer to watch the kiddos so momma can take a day-long nap. 

Maybe....just maybe not having to consider their mother or mother-in-law would be a way to lighten their load for just that one day. We can give the gift of removing our hurt feelings and expectations and the need to even be celebrated at all. Moms in-the-trenches should be given permission to just be as they want to be. 

Possibly the greatest gift you can give is to GIVE IT UP!

Let's consider it. 

We have one week or so to do so....

Repeat after me....

We won't pout.

We won't fuss.

Just because

it's not about us.