Why are some child free women claiming they should be celebrated on Mother’s Day too?

[Soubriquet]

I keep seeing, mainly Americans, saying just because we choose not have to children, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be celebrated on Mother’s Day. We deserve gifts and love just as every other mother.

Im not talking about women who have miscarried, had still borns or struggling to conceive, but women who have chosen not to have children.

They aren’t even talking about celebrating their own mothers. Just them.

What is this self entitlement?

Is this just seen as Women’s day to some women?

It is amusing that if you can think of something - almost anything - there is guaranteed to be a 'day' for it somewhere.

I've no kids, but my DP surprised me with a card from the kitties on Mother's Day - it was so sweet! I never think about the day at all tbh, especially as I grew up with the May Mother's day, not March.

I think it's a bit daft wanting to be recognised on that day if you don't have kids - but seems like those people feel they are missing out and just want to join in?

As I understand it the original name for this day was Mothering Sunday rather than Mother's Day. And this day is, or was, intended to celebrate all those who engage in the act of mothering. As not all those who engage in the act of mothering have children of their own, the term Mothering Sunday enables all those people who engage in mothering to be celebrated, regardless of whether they have children of their own. Whereas the term Mother's Day is more exclusive, as it excludes those who do not have children of their own.

I never heard about this, I believe that the women who struggle to become mothers, or have not managed to become mothers and their fertility window has closed they should be celebrated on mother's day too.

But childfree by choice is something different and I haven't known anyone to want to be celebrated on this day. Is this a US thing?

Oh I always thought it was from a day when, if you'd moved away from family, you'd return home to visit, and go to your "mother" church.

But that may well be nonsense, I read it somewhere 🤷🏻‍♀️

YorkshireDude

As I understand it the original name for this day was Mothering Sunday rather than Mother's Day.

Held on the fourth Sunday in Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday, it was a originally a day to honour and give thanks to the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother Mary. Such celebrations required people to visit their 'mother' church - the main church or cathedral in a family's area.

Found the above. Certainly it's celebrated in the church I attend very specifically as "Mothering Sunday" and all the women get a little present (usually a little primula in a pot, planted by the curate who's a keen gardener).
I'd also got the idea that it also became a day for servants to be allowed to visit their own mother (and family) in an era when there were few holidays for them.

1)Someone on Internet writes something you disagree with
2) Decide this is a widespread trend rather than one or two weirdos
3) Go to mumsnet to complain about it.
4) Await responses on narcissim, the fall of society, it being all the fault of trans women

Rinse and repeat

You are quite right. If you go back even further, Mothering Sunday is about visiting the church where a person received the sacrament of baptism.

What a terrible response and attitude. No idea where the OP has seen childfree Americans asking for this. Ridiculous post.

I sort of see where it comes from, although I wouldn't expect to be celebrated on mother's day but I have had cards from the dog in the past 😂

Not looking for sympathy but on the flip side it can be hard being childless in a world where being a mother/parent is held up as some standard of the person you are (think about when people are introduced on tv etc, "I'm a civil servant AND a mother of 2"). The implication that being a parent is the be all and end all. The implication that it's so much harder for people who work and have children when in reality the childless ones are expected to stay late and get things done. I realise this sounds a little bitter, I'm not child free by choice, it just happened that way.

I'd actually quite like Mother's and Father's day to be combined in to Parent's day, let's just get it all over with in one day - it would be nice and inclusive and for those who have lost their parents it's less to deal with. I realise Clinton cards would never go for this though....

They can have their own day and name it Narcissists Day 😄

It's all about Meeeeeee 😆

Thanks. It seems there are quite a few variations on what this day is or was.

Just rediculous. It's not a Woman's Day, it is specifically for Mother's to celebrate all they do for children.

Right then, I'm going to make my kids recognise me when it's Father's Day.
I have been both Mother and Father to them for many years, since their actual father is an arse.
Perhaps they'll get me a tool belt and treat me to a round of golf.

Where did you see this OP? I've just done several twitter searches and can't see anything.

Whoever said that sounds weird but isnt worrying about it a bit "someone is wrong on the internet!"

Happy Un-Mothers day to all those partaking. I don’t see the problem in celebrating yourself any day of the year, go ahead and enjoy being you. Why not enjoy yourself! But it doesn’t have to have anything to do with being a mother or not, what an odd concept.

Exactly this - and then everyone falls for it and repeats it elsewhere, and in no time at all it becomes established 'fact', without a shred of evidence. Just like many people on here still believe there were posters seriously advocating putting cheese in coffee during lockdown.

OP, how about a link or screenshot?

Isn't this a sarcastic/ironic post?

Please educate yourself.
The fact that people still are going on about over population in 2022 is incredibly worrying. Stuck in the narrative of the 1970’s/1980’s.

Cheese in coffee was an excellent analogy for many many posts at the time though.
My favourite was ‘milk and bread arnt essentials and you are selfish for buying Easter eggs. Those two I actually read myself at the time and yes the posters were deadly serious.

When I was growing up I had an aunt who wasn't able to have children. I used to stay over at her house, she took me on holidays and days out. She was like a 2nd mother to me. I've sent her cards saying that, it took nothing away from my mother just acknowledged someone who loved and looked after me.

I think that's really lovely. It's not at all what the OP is talking about though.
I sent my MIL some flowers on Mother's Day once. Of course I acknowledged she wasn't my Mother but she had shown me the same sort of love and care.

I've seen this type of thing from lots of pages over the past few years.

Well there may be for women who chose not to have children for reasons other than not actually wanting them. Mental/physical health, hereditary illness etc. They deserve a thought on Mothers Day, surely?