10 Ways to Celebrate Mother's Day as a Bereaved Mother
As Mother’s Day is approaching, maybe you are wondering whether anyone will remember and celebrate your motherhood? In the post, “Mother’s Day is Coming” Mary Margaret Powitz wrote this:
But either way, isn’t your motherhood, no matter how it looks, worth celebrating — in its’ entirety? You may have only carried your child for a few days, or maybe 16 weeks, maybe 36, and maybe you even got to bring your baby home. However long you had with your child, they still lived, and you still loved them, and you are still a mother. Whether anyone else claims it to be true.
Really.
Which means, you don’t have to wait for anyone else to “do something.” Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be about what others do or don’t do, but about how you choose to celebrate your own story and value as a mom.
In light of this encouragement to celebrate your motherhood, our team came up with 10 simple ways that you can celebrate this Mother’s Day! (Even if those around you “do something” or not.)
10 Ways To Celebrate Your Motherhood
1. Spa Day at home
Take a bath, do your nails, use that face mask you’ve been meaning to try. This post lists 50 ways (including lots of DIY recipes) to have an at home spa day.
Favorites for a Spa Day (sourced from Target so you can place a pick-up order and not even have to leave your car.)
2. Go for a walk
Find an new-to-you park, nature or hiking trail to get outside, breath in fresh air and get your body moving. Look up and breath deep.
3. Plant something.
Whether it’s plant, a flower, a tree or even a fruit or vegetable, using your hands, getting messy and being outside can be incredibly life-giving.
Favorite Gardening Resources
We love this beginner gardening resource from my friend Peonies & Peppers and this Gardening 101 resource from my friend Lara Casey.
4. Make your favorite breakfast treat
Favorite Recipes for Brunch-y Treats
5. Write a letter to your baby or journal.
Writing can be incredibly healing and therapeutic. We created a beautiful 5 page mini journal for you, complete with journal prompts.
6. Read a book or watch your favorite movie
Current Favorite Books
7. get Creative: do a little Coloring
Coloring can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing and wonderfully mindless, so we made you a mini coloring book!
8. Look & remember: look through photos & keepsakes
Giving space to pull out your baby’s keepsakes or look through photos or even to start a keepsake box is a beautiful way to celebrate your motherhood as you remember and celebrate the life of your baby, no matter the length of their days.
9. Buy yourself flowers.
Flowers brighten a room and a heart. And there is no shame in buying them for yourself. In fact grocery store flowers are some of our favorites and it’s tulip season!
10. Text a friend who might be hurting
You might know what it feels like to feel forgotten on this day, so reach out to another mama who might be feeling the same way. Remind her she’s loved and that she’s remembered. In doing so your heart will be lifted and so will hers, a beautiful way to celebrate motherhood.
Or do nothing at all.
Take a nap. Stay in your pajamas. Stay in bed, cozy under the covers.
There is no guilt or shame to be had here.
Because you’re still a mom even if you do none of these things.
You are still loved.
You are still celebrated.
Your baby is still remembered.
You are still a mom.