Mothering Sunday: How to Cope If It’s a Difficult Day for You

If you’re looking forward to doing something special for Mother’s Day on Sunday, we wish you all the best – but this article isn’t for you. 

It’s not that we don’t want you to have a great day (we do) or that we take issue with Mother’s Day itself (we don’t – mums are amazing and deserve a little pampering).

But we know that not everyone will feel like celebrating on Sunday. Mother’s Day can generate a host of complicated feelings if your mum isn’t around, you’ve lost a child, miscarried or struggled to conceive.

These feelings can be compounded by the commercial side of Mother’s Day – the adverts popping into your inbox in the lead-up to the big day and the cards, chocolates and flowers on sale in the supermarket.

If you find Mother’s Day difficult, here are some tips to help you get through it.

- Instead of trying to ignore the day and suppress your feelings, acknowledge it’s on the horizon and that there could be a few tears. 

- Plan how you’ll spend the day. If you’re staying in, treat yourself by watching a favourite movie or cooking a special meal. If you’re going out, choose your venue wisely. Visiting a pub or restaurant full of families celebrating Mother’s Day might be upsetting. 

- Light a candle or plant a tree in memory of the person you’re thinking about.

- Go for a walk, run, swim or cycle. Sometimes, it’s easier to reflect on feelings and memories while exercising, especially if you’re in the great outdoors.

- Donate to a charity that has personal significance to you.

- Tell a friend or family member that you’re finding things tough and spend some time with them. 

- Avoid social media, so you don’t come across any Mother’s Day-related posts that upset you.

- Reach out for support. Bereavement charity Cruse has a helpline (0808 808 1677). Baby loss charity Tommy’s has lots of helpful information on its website, as does the Good Grief Trust.

From all of us here at Leslie & Co., take care of yourself and thanks for reading.