Whenever this holiday comes around, we celebrate the hardworking, dependable, and beloved moms in our lives. But Mother’s Day can also be a tough time for many people. Their mom may have passed away recently, or they may have a rough relationship with their mom. Some may be struggling to become moms, so a holiday celebrating motherhood can be discouraging. If the days leading up to Mother’s Day are difficult for you this year, here are some tips and encouragements that can help you through it.
Identify and acknowledge your feelings. A variety of emotions may come up on a day like this, so the first step to coping is identifying those specific emotions and acknowledging that they’re present. There’s no need to hold it in or pretend that you don’t feel a certain way—it’s part of being human.
Recognize the complexity of mother-to-child relationships. Another part of being human is recognizing that our relationships with others can be complicated, especially with parents. We can have a lot of expectations about parent-child relationships and what they should look like, but grief, sadness, anger, and resentment can affect these relationships too. Remember that it’s normal, and it’s hard to have a perfect relationship with your mom.
Don’t play the comparison game. Don’t be discouraged by social media and Mother’s Day posts. Everyone has different relationships with their mothers, and social media can be deceptive. If it helps, do a social detox for the day so that you’re not comparing your situation to that of others.
Remember the lessons you’ve learned. If you’re missing your mom, remember the life lessons she taught you when she was around. Appreciate the little things that have helped you grow and gain wisdom. If your relationship has been a struggle, you can learn a lot from the difficult times as well. Remember these lessons and allow them to build you up.
Cherish the ones who are around. Your mom may not be in your life at the moment, but many other people are. Take some time to connect with and invest in your loved ones so that you can grow closer to them. They may or may not be family, but it’s important to be with people you care about during a difficult time.
Practice self-compassion. It’s been a rough year, and only you know what hardships you’ve had to endure. But showing yourself some compassion can go a long way. On Mother’s Day, do something that you enjoy doing. Pamper yourself and give yourself positive affirmations. Know what your needs are in this moment and listen to them.
Whatever your situation may be, we hope these encouragements help you to get through a difficult Mother’s Day.
