Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums. I hope you’re being spoilt and having a fun day with the family.

I thought I’d give a short history of the tradition of Mother’s Day. It’s known by different names around the world, ie Mother’s Day, Muttertag, La Festa della Mamma, Mothering Sunday, Fête des Mères, Día de las Madres… however the love and heartfelt appreciation is the same the world over.

Most mothering festivals in early history were held in the springtime to celebrate the rebirth of the land and the beginning of the most fertile time of the year. In the land Down Under where European settlement began only a couple of hundred years ago, we celebrate Mother’s Day in autumn - which doesn’t make sense really, when the celebration is about fertility and renewal. But anyway…

The modern version of Mother’s Day with families bringing flowers and gifts (wanted and unwanted but all appreciated) to their mums, can be traced back to 17th Century England. Mothering Sunday was the fourth Sunday in Lent…even the strict rules about fasting and penance were forgotten on this special day. Children who were away from home learning a trade or working as servants were allowed to return home for the day. The family gathered to share food and drink with Mother as the special guest. Mothers were given treats of cakes and wildflowers.

In the US in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared that Mother’s Day should be celebrated as a national holiday on the second Sunday in May. Here in Australia, as with many other countries, we celebrate Mother’s Day also on the second Sunday in May. In the UK Mother’s Day, or Mothering Day, is held on the fourth Sunday in Lent, which is difficult for hubby Richard whose mother lives in the UK - he always forgets!

It’s a celebration of mothers…dedicated to honoring the mums who give so much to their families without asking for anything in return. Perhaps every day should be Mother’s Day, but most families are too busy with everyday things to say thank you for every meal, every good night kiss or every piece of ‘advice’.

Once a year, the world stops being busy and says thank you. Flowers, cards and gifts are just the outward signs. What we mothers love most is the fact that our families really do notice all that we do and on this one day we are queen … and this mother’s 20-something year old sons have offered to cook dinner tonight!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Until next time, this is Julie Vale from Own Your Life Club.