To think social media can be so harmful, particularly at times like Mothers’ Day?

I don't have any family, no partner, no children, and have never in my life been impacted by anything others have posted on sm. Honestly, why don't people just concentrate on what they do have in life instead of being upset by what others have.

Social media is a choice no one is forced to use it, if someone is not happy with their life they need to work on that not blame social media, I use social media for what I get out of it if it any way has an impact on me I would stop using it so I get out what I put in, is seems more and more in society people blame everything and everyone else for their problems

I think a lot of social media is actually the opposite of this today.

Sure, MN is social media, but it's long-form, so discussions are going to be more nuanced, experiences are going to be more detailed. Plus, people are anonymous on here, so there is a lot of invention.

Short-form SM, where people use their real names and post identifying photos, such as Instagram, really go above and beyond to emphasise and acknowledge that days like Mother's Day can be very difficult for people.

For example, most posts I have seen today are along the lines of 'this post is dedicated to everyone who may be struggling quietly' kind of vibe.

People tend to be kinder and more thoughtful – or want to be perceived as such – when they are identifiable.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Your daughter did a lovely and kind thing for you today, much more in the spirit of Mothers Day than receiving lavish jewellery from a partner. Reading 99% of the Mother’s Day posts on here today, most women it seems would kill to have what your daughter did for them today. Many heartbroken that kids or husbands didn’t acknowledge or remember it.

Don’t worry about the partner thing, it’s not really that much of a thing for Mother’s Day. You have a daughter and you are her mother. She celebrated you today and did something out of love. I know you said you are sad that you don’t have a partner but there will be several posters on here that don’t have a mother and/or a child and/or a partner. Count your blessings and cherish the wonderful things you DO have.

You've answered your own AIBU. Pay no attention to threads about jewellery and the likes. people post for attention from others full stop. The day you had sounds lovely and normal. Without going into it, I'm a bereaved mum of twin babies who died at birth 17 months ago, currently expecting our third baby who will fill our broken house tbh. Days like today should be painful but I feel the loss of my baby boys everyday, not just today and I ignore all the posts that go up. Look at the lovely morning you had and forget about what people are posting. Breakfast with your dd sounds just perfect.

You need to work on why someone else getting a present is such an impact on your life. How do you think that makes your daughter feel? That what she does isn't good enough?

Fair enough. To be fair my 2 DC each bought a £8-10 bunch of flowers from Morrisons, and Tesco. I wouldn't have wanted them to pay £30-40. The shop bought ones are nice enough.

@Jinglejanglejangle · Today 18:08

The smuggest people on SM that are praising their partner the most are usually the ones who are either shagging someone else or whose partner is shagging someone else.

Yep. I have a neighbour who has been married to her DH for 20 years - 3 kids between 10 and 19, and we've been facebook friends for about 10 years. Hardly ever posted pics of her and her DH, or said anything about them together, or him...

Then suddenly mid-late 2023, she started posting all these super gushy remarks about her 'wubbly hubz,' and how amazing he was, and how clever he was building a big shed all by himself! Multiple pics of them together appeared - 3-5 a week, snuggling and cuddling, with #soulmate #myhubby and #mylovemylife and all kinds of wanky bollocks.

About 6 months later, another neighbour told me that she (the wife) had discovered her 'wubbly hubz' had been getting a bit fresh with the 25 year old blonde hottie in the office. Giving her lifts home, going to lunch with her, and going back to her flat when he said he was 'working late.' Went on for about 9-10 months. He said 'nothing happened' and she (the wife) couldn't prove anything, but he did confess to it being a bit of an emotional affair, as he was flattered that she fancied him, with him being 45 and all. #MidLifeCrisis.

So then came the 'look how amazing my marriage is' posts! And the 25 year old hottie was transferred to another branch!

Absolutely, but if you don't get an overpriced bouquet of flowers on a day deemed appropriate by someone else - I really would refuse to get upset about it!

OP your teen sounds lovely, I am sure many people would feel envious of your chilled out day with a considerate child.

Enjoy it :)

That's lovely, but you do know that people/children who buy cards, flowers, and gifts for their mum on Mothers Day, ALSO show them they care for them and love them all year round right....?

The two things are not mutually exclusive. Mums who receive cards and gifts and flowers from their children are not neglected by them all year round. Indeed, most people who buy for their mother are more likely to be the type who show love and care all year round.

The smuggest people on SM that are praising their partner the most are usually the ones who are either shagging someone else or whose parter is shagging someone else. Or who's not shagging someone else but they're for the jewellery or money or whatever. Marriage/being a mother is a lifetime commitment. It's not about one day.

In fact, Mothering Sunday was originally about celebrating your "mother church" on the 4th Sunday of Lent. I get that a huge part of our population are not Christian now so that's not relevant but the reality is it's also given big corporations the PERFECT excuse to get us to spend more money on tat.

If I want a piece of jewellery I don't wait until Mothers Day/Christmas/my Birthday. I get it. I know I am worth it. And if my husband wants an expensive watch, same applies. Cos he's worth it too. Every day.

I'm happy for you to compare yourself to me. I had zero gifts or cards from my children. I think one of them texted me happy mothers day.

They show they care for me all the time and they know that I give zero shits about all the commercial rubbish forced on us for mothers/valentines etc day. I'm glad they see it the same way. :-)

I got myself a card for my girls to write (was free in a 3 for two deal) but it hasn’t been written. Did post a photo of me by a swimming pool this morning as we’re on holiday (not for Mother’s Day!) SM doesn’t ever show you the full picture

Anybody could find any social media post ‘harmful’, does that mean no one should post anything, ever, in case it offends because someone else doesn’t have what they have?!

Stay off sm then

Honestly? The only 'perfect social media posts' I've seen today are from people who I know have many problems and it's all fake. Take it all with a pinch of salt and enjoy your day x

On mother's day my sm is full of people doing "thinking of you" posts about how hard it must be for people who aren't mothers on the day.

I do think it's nice to be thoughtful and conscious that some people will struggle on this day.

But it does annoy me that we only seem to do this on a day that celebrates mothers. It never seems that all the fathers on father's day have to make a display of thinking of all the men who aren't dads.

As mothers we often do a lot. If someone wants to get us a bunch of flowers or a piece of jewellery (I wish) once a year, let's just bloody enjoy it.

My 5yo daughter drew me loads of pictures of us and put out breakfast things so I wouldn't have to. It was lovely. Better than jewellery!

Do you know anyone in real life that gets jewellery for Mother’s Day? I sure as hell don’t. The internet isn’t real life

Who the hell is getting jewellery!? Comparison is the thief of joy, your daughter did more than a lot would.

Every single couple I know with relationship problems have the most picture perfect, gushy, social media presence.

I think it's an escape from reality and and effort to convince themselves that things aren't as bad as they are in reality. It's a form of delusion.

This. I wouldn't think of holidays or particularly expensive presents as part of mothers day personally

I got a card and a small present from DD, but I’m at work today so she decided to spend the day at her father’s place instead. It’s fine. I am not a huge celebrant of marked holidays anyway, the forced fun aspect is particularly grating.

Flowers and gifts mean far less to me than time spent and a thoughtful touch, like breakfast, on Mother’s Day. Your DD has shown you her love and appreciation which is what this is all about, isn’t it?