Being a single mum on Mother’s Day can be tough. Typically it’s supposed to be the day that mum gets pampered and gets a chance to put her feet up. When the kids are young, it’s Dad who does the bulk of the household work for the day so that mum can have a break.
But – If you’re a mum on your own, there’s nobody to pick up the slack if you do want to relax. And so, you keep doing what you normally do, because if you don’t, it just won’t get done. And as a result, you feel like you didn’t have a Mother’s Day at all.
It’s particularly upsetting if your children are too young to understand the day or to buy you a present. It can end up just feeling like a day like any other.
Acknowledging the Feelings of A Single Mum on Mothers Day
For a single mum, Mother’s Day might bring up a few negative emotions. You might feel;
- Overlooked
- Under appreciated
- Abandoned
- Sad or depressed
- Guilty (for wanting a break from your kids)
The first thing to remember when feelings like this crop up is that those feelings are valid and they are ok.
The second thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this. There are lots of other mums feeling this way today too!
And the third thing you need to know is that it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Don’t forget, you’re an independent woman. You achieve – every day. You succeed every day. If you’re not getting your validation from outside, create it from inside.
Don’t overlook yourself in the way that you approach Mother’s Day as a single mum. If you can think of a way to treat yourself, do. If there’s something that can wait until tomorrow, let it wait!
Try and enjoy the day with your kids. Stand back and take a look at them – how beautiful they are… you did that. You clothed them, you fed them, you loved them and taught them – you never miss a day even when you’re sick and when you’re tired.
Maybe you aren’t reaping the rewards of any of that with flowers or chocolates or someone else to clean the house today. But you will always reap the rewards every time one of your children smiles. Perhaps you’re the only one who acknowledges how much you do, but maybe that’s all that matters. That you know you’re doing a great job.