The Other Mother's Day

My Mother's Day is fine, long settled in the routine of me seeing my mother to celebrate her and my husband seeing his mother at her lunch. So I am lucky and we have no issues, but even I was irritated by the weekend magazine with it's barrage of 'why I'm so happy in motherhood' articles, and endless ads for presents to give. Enough already, it's really not that interesting!

In a facebook group, someone asked for a support group for parents with estranged children and in true Facebook form, I'm now getting the relevant ads. So in a Mother's Day post with a difference, I'm posting for the mothers that find themselves out of the Hallmark card cliche.

Firstly, unbeknowst to me, until last Sunday, the Sunday in May before Mother's Day is actually International Bereaved Mother's Day. It's a day to celebrate the motherhood of mothers who have lost their child. I thought this article on the morning tea held has some important sentiments worth remembering.

Secondly, to all the people whose Mothers are no longer here to celebrate. I am luckily not in that boat yet but I know Father's Day felt hollow without the great man at the table, so I feel for you and I hope it's not a painful week with the overwhelming advertising and I hope Sunday brings peace in remembrance with it.

Lastly, the support groups for those whose adult children no longer contact them. This must be an extraordinary tough time to have the shops and newspapers ramming happy families on you at every turn. I am not affilitated with any of these, and know little about them so please investigate first. However, I hope you find comfort and even more, hope your child returns to your life. One site did mention that years later people will see your posts in the closed forums, so a pseudonym might be a good idea for privacy, and I think that is well advised.

Australia: Beyond Blue

UK Stand Alone

This is a website that came up, while trying to find the local support groups. Not sure where it is based. https://www.rejectedparents.net/ and I think this is in the US http://www.estrangements.com/groups-and-blogs.html

There are also a number of FB groups. However, I struggled to find local groups that meet in person, so if anyone knows any details, feel free to add to the comments below. I hope this information helps in one way or another, if only not to feel so alone.

Lastly, a big shout out to Prince Harry for his comment “How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension,” ...“I’m so incredibly proud of my wife.” which I think has made every woman on the planet want to high five him. That is the attitude you want to hear after giving birth. That's what needs to be in the Hallmark cards.

To everyone, may your Sunday be pleasant no matter what it means to you.