Mother's Day and Infertility: A different kind of celebration

Mother's Day.

For some, it's filled with flowers, cards, breakfast in bed and joyful celebrations.

But for others - especially those navigating infertility - it can be one of the toughest days of the year.

If that's you, I want you to know this:

It's absolutely ok if you don't want to celebrate.

It's ok if you want to spend the day under a blanket with your phone on "Do Not Disturb"

Is it ok to want to curl yourself up into a ball and cry? YES!

It’s ok to want the world to just go take a flying leap.

It’s all ok!

What are we really celebrating on Mother’s Day?

Mother's Day, at it's heart, is about honouring the people who nurture, guide, protect and love. But somewhere along the way, society narrowed that definition, until it became almost exclusively about biology, babies and brunch.

It's time to broaden the lens.

Motherhood isn’t just about giving birth – the reality is, that for many, this hasn’t been their pathway to mothering. We have adopted mothers, foster mothers, aunts who are mothers, friends who are mothers.

Mothering is about how you show up in the world. It's how you love, care, give and nurture.

You mother through your friendships, your work, your creativity, your compassion.

You mother when you support your partner, your pets, your community.

You mother when you dream of nurturing a future child with every fibre of your being.

Your ability to mother isn't defined by whether or not you've given birth.

This year, reclaim Mother's Day - your way.

You don't need to attend that family lunch if it feels too hard.

You don't have to explain why it hurts.

You don't owe anyone an appearance or a smile if your heart isn't in it.

But you can choose to honour your own mothering heart in a way that feels right for you.

Maybe it's a quiet walk in nature.

Maybe it's a day unplugged, tending to yourself the way you wish others would.

Maybe it's journaling or lighting a candle for the love you hold inside that hasn't yet had a place to land.

Whatever it is - make it yours.

You matter. You are seen. You are not alone.

This Mother's Day, know that there is a whole community holding space for all the different forms that mothering takes.

And, if you are struggling, if you feel invisible or heartbroken or just plain over it all - please know you are deeply valued.

Your grief is real.

Your love is real.

Your mothering is real.

We see you....................We honour you....................We're with you.

Thinking of you,

Therese x