Mother’s Day | 8 Reasons Why We Need To Celebrate

I love being a mother. I do. I promise I do. But you know what? It’s hard.

I can literally pour nine months of myself into growing you, twelve feeds a day from my body for six months while you get zero nutrition elsewhere, and I do it all with very little sleep and almost zero recognition!

I’m no martyr. I’m not doing anything more than what a gazillion other women have done and continue to do every day.

8 Reasons Why I Need To Celebrate On Mother’s Day – It’s For My Sanity!

But all I’m asking is for just a little recognition. And if you’re too little to do it, please ask your dad to help!

And let’s be honest, pregnancy and breastfeeding aren’t what makes me a mother (but boy can they be challenging!), but the day to day tasks with little rest and little recognition, well, it wears on your sanity.

So please dear ones, on Mother’s Day, the one day that recognises me, please celebrate me.

I don’t need a fancy gift. I don’t need luxury. I just need a bit of acknowledgement and here’s why:

Mother’s Day #1: I Spent Months Worrying About You

The moment I saw the positive test, I started to worry about you. Am I eating enough of the right foods? Did I remember my prenatal? Do I need to listen to music to help your brain develop?

Is my morning sickness so bad you’re not developing properly? Wait, I’m not too sick today, are you okay in there?

I hadn’t even met you yet, and I was already worried. Already prepared to put you first, to think of you before myself in every situation. I entered motherhood already mentally exhausted from hoping I was doing things perfectly.

Mother’s Day #2: Morning Sickness, Stretch Marks, Acne, Heartburn And All The Other “Joys”

Aww you’re glowing!

Glowing? You mean sweating from that epic sickness session? Or maybe it’s the oil from all the hormones and tomorrow I’ll wake with a giant pimple.

Am I having a heart attack, seriously, what is this horrific pain? Oh, heartburn and indigestion. This is normal? Are we certain I’m not dying?

Pregnancy isn’t all bad. I’m happy I was able to do it to bring you here, but I certainly didn’t glow in a beautiful way. Oil and sweat, that’s pretty much it!

Mother’s Day #3: Leaking…So Much Leaking

From the moment labour was getting close, there was leaking. And it didn’t stop for months. Months.

Mucus plug, water breaking, colostrum, breast milk, postpartum bleeding, sweating. Leaking from every single orifice on my body.

Like I said, I’m no martyr, many women do this. But don’t you think we deserve at least a bit of appreciation for this?

My water broke two weeks, weeks, before one of you appeared. I had to leak for two weeks. I think I at least deserve a card for that.

Mother’s Day #4: So Much Crying!

I get it, it’s the only way you can communicate. It’s okay, I’m not blaming you. But do you have any idea how challenging it is to meet your needs when the only way you can let me know is by crying?

And you know what? Most of your cries sound the same. Do you need to eat? Do you need a nap? Are you in pain? Oh…never mind, just a bit of wind. Did you really need to cry that much over a bit of wind?

I know you cry for a reason. I’m okay with it. But on Mother’s Day, could you at least recognise how challenging it can get?

Mother’s Day #5: “Mama…Maaaaaama….Maaaaaaaaama!!!!”

The first time you said mama, well my heart just melted. Completely melted. But now, a few years later, do you have to say it quite so much?

I mean, I know you love me, and I love you. But do you really need to say it five times rather than waiting ten seconds for a reply?

I know, I know, I’ll miss it when you grow up. That’s why I try my best to enjoy it. But some days, some days it’s hard. Some days, I think if I hear mama one more time I might completely lose my mind. I have yet to fully lose it. Want to keep it that way?

Please acknowledge me, please. A little appreciation of what I’m doing, a glimpse that I’m raising a sweet human being is enough to survive the next 364 days of “maaaama” until the next time I’m acknowledged.

Mother’s Day #6: Did I Just Step In Pee? Touch A Boogie? What On Earth Is On My Pants?

I once taught an entire class with spaghetti sauce on my pants. I didn’t realise until the class was over. Do you have any idea what that does to one’s confidence? Never have I felt less professional.

The other day, I stepped in your pee. Urine. I stepped in your urine. I mean, I suppose it’s better than that time your diaper exploded and your poo went down my leg, but nonetheless, it wasn’t pleasant.

I get it, you’re still learning not to be completely disgusting. I’m okay with wiping your bottom several times a day and picking boogies from your nose. But if you could at least acknowledge the sacrifice of my dignity, well it’d be greatly appreciated.

Mother’s Day #7: Big Vehicles, Sneakers, Nursing Bras And Granny Panties

You know, I once drove a tidy little sedan, wore heels and had nice undergarments.

Today? I drive a big SUV (I’m trying so hard not to succumb to a minivan!) filled with stale French fries and unidentified stickiness.

No more heels, just whatever pair of sneakers was on sale at Target because you needed another pair of soccer cleats.

And well, gone are the days of lace. The days of feeling attractive. It’s granny panties filled with postpartum mattresses, uhm I mean pads, and frumpy nursing bras with giant uncomfortable plastic clips.

Again, I’m okay with the sacrifice. You’re more than worth it. But please, please just acknowledge me. Remind me I’m still a person that matters.

Mother’s Day #8: I Cannot Remember The Last Time I Slept More Than Four Consecutive Hours

If you don’t want to be tired, don’t have kids.

I get it. I know I should expect some exhaustion. And I’m not here to complain. I’m simply asking for a bit of understanding and appreciation for the fact that you’ve kept me awake for more than a year!

You woke me bright and early with nausea and then kept me up late into the night kicking my bladder. You needed to feed every two hours for forever. You need reminders you’re safe and cuddles to soothe your nightmares away.

I’m okay with this. I love your midnight cuddles. But if you could please just let me know you care, well it’d mean the world to me.

I’m not doing anything more amazing than every other mother out there. But I think I can speak for all of us when I say we really, truly appreciate a day of recognition!