MOTHERS, WE SEE YOU
You’re our heroes in these tough times: Hanes
As if modern motherhood wasn’t tough enough already, the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic has created a whole new set of pressures, stresses and worries for moms everywhere.
Being a mother has always been an around-the-clock job. But for the past two months, many moms have literally been with their children 24/7, since schools and daycares were closed, playdates were prohibited, babysitters banished and grandparents kept at a distance to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
During this intense period of togetherness, mothers have been busy dispensing extra hugs to reassure anxious kids while dealing with uncertainty themselves. Many have been thrust into new roles as teachers, coaches, therapists, entertainers and playmates.
This Mother’s Day, opportunities to celebrate moms are limited. There will be no homemade cards and keepsake crafts coming home from school or daycare, no restaurant brunches, no big family dinners. For mothers whose children are grown, there will be no visits, no hugs, no kisses from grandchildren.
What moms of all ages and life stages really need, though, are messages of gratitude, encouragement and support. But a few specific mentions are in order.
To all those in the trenches of new motherhood, many of whom feel isolated as it is due to the life-altering transition of bringing home a baby, know that you are not alone.
To all the career moms out there, the usual high-wire act of balancing career and family recently got a lot more harrowing with the children out of school or daycare. Working from home while trying not to ignore your kids is bringing on extra pangs of guilt. It’s normal to lose your patience — you’re only human. Be kind to yourself.
To the single moms shouldering this extra burden solo, the magnitude of what you are facing is no doubt overwhelming. Being the centre of your child’s universe without being able to call on grandparents, friends and babysitters for help is a lot to handle. Know that you are enough.
To the moms of kids with special needs, who are trying to compensate for cancelled services, your love goes a long way. You’ve got this.
To all the mothers who are health-care workers — nurses, doctors, orderlies, pharmacists, public health officials, caregivers, scientists, paramedics and lab technicians — you are risking your lives to protect ours. Yet you still come home after a long shift to care for your own families. Thank you a million times over. You are superheroes.
To all the moms who are essential workers — supermarket cashiers, bus drivers, cleaners and postal workers — you do jobs that are frequently undervalued and yet have never been more important. You sometimes work long hours for low pay. You continue your labour while your children have no school or daycare to go to. We see you, and we salute your contributions.
To all the teachers and early childcare educators, who are preparing to welcome kids back to class soon under trying circumstances, you have never been more appreciated.
To all the moms who have been locked away from us, in nursing homes, hospitals, or seniors residences, supposedly to protect them from the ravages of COVID-19, we have not forgotten you. We miss you and yearn to see you soon.
To all the mothers and grandmothers we can’t see right now because of real distance or social distancing, we want so badly to hug you. But we don’t want to risk your lives. We want to keep you safe so you can be with us for a long time to come.
To all the mothers we have recently lost, due to the coronavirus or other causes, we cannot honour you with the funerals, memorial services and burials you deserve. But we cherish your memory and keep you in our hearts.
This is a Mother’s Day like no other — and let’s hope it will be the only one of its kind.
But if there is a silver lining, it’s that our recent struggles highlight the extraordinary efforts of moms, day in and day out. Perhaps it will help us to value motherhood, in all its messy and rewarding glory, all the more.
At the very least, it’s a reminder to tell your mom you love her — while you still can.