Mothers Day: Another Capitalist Plot?

Being a student of sociology, and learning from some of the more cynical minds at the university, I really should hold the view that Mother's Day is simply a way for capitalists to further their vie for world domination.

For years I never really bought into mother’s day. I think when you are a child it is hard to really see all that your parents do and put up with for you. The love, thoughtfulness and money which goes into so many areas of your life happen without your child-eyes taking in the depth of it all. But as I've grown up and my eyes have matured I have formed a new kind of relationship with my parent that goes beyond love and ventures into the beautiful world of respect and appreciation. As a rather maternally minded individual myself this leads into a love for watching good parents with their kids as well.

I work in a bookshop with a very well stocked and well-loved children's room. This room has become like my own little child. I like to take responsibility for cleaning her up and feeding her more books when she looks hungry. Because of this I spend a lot of time around children and their parents and have seen some beautiful moments and some horrible ones.

Today the shop has been full of parents and children. Fathers and sons out to give mum some rare and valuable "I" time, fathers and daughters picking cards with arms full of goodies from the City Cake Company next door. Mothers and daughters walking in arm in arm, laughing and book-buying, mothers telling their sons they have to "ask the lady if you can have a biscuit" from which tears, then cuddles, ensue.

And it has all brought a lot of joy and smiles to me.

I know there will also be families out there ignoring this day, or fighting with each other, or grieving over the loss this represents. But I think that this day is a fantastic excuse to shine the spotlight on Mum and thank her. So think about something she's done for you, past or present, and write in a cheesy card or in an email and let her know! My parents have kept a lot of my old cards to them and love to look back and have that physical reminder. Or if your mum is not around, honour her by holding those thoughts in your heart, today especially.