It is that time of year again when we see the obligatory pink fluffy slippers and small appliances on sale for Mothers Day. We are also reminded of the message that our Mums are special every day, but on 10 May we will give them an extra loud shout out.
I should start by saying that I’m not a mother, but I do have two Mothers- yes two (but that is story for another day). Also, the vast majority of my friends, colleagues, clients and professional network are busy mothers.
In everyday media, I see the enormous pressure that Mothers face trying to achieve the extraordinarily high standards that they impose upon themselves. In saying that, I’m the first to say ‘go sister’ if you believe you can achieve it, but we need to make sure that they are supported.
When I was growing up in the 1970’s, my Mother was working in my Fathers business, she was an ultra organised housekeeper, on Tuck Shop duty and being an active member of our local church, all whilst raising two children. There was probably also a whole bunch of things I wasn’t even aware of.
I can now see that my mum was very much stuck in the transition of feeling the need to be a 1950’s housewife (as trained by her mother) and a modern working woman as reflected by her peers and the Australian Women’s Weeklies of the 1970’s and 1980’s.
In those days it was totally unheard of, certainly in my small country town, to look for any kind of domestic assistance. I literally remember having a babysitter for one night when there was something that both Mum and Dad just HAD to go to. No wonder she was frazzled!
So how are we supporting our mothers in the current day?
We have come so far in achieving equality which has allowed women to achieve a great many things that were once only dreamt of. Women are now free to step out of the 1950’s, hang up their apron and embrace all the opportunities now on offer.
However, with the explosion of incredible opportunities afforded to our amazing Mums, those basic responsibilities of my 1970’s mother still remain part of their ‘scope of works’, even today.
What hasn’t changed is the fact that a mum in 1970 and a mum in 2015 still both have 24 hours in a day to make all of this happen.
What has changed however is the ability and the social acceptability of mothers being empowered to ask for help.
If our amazing mothers want to achieve it all, it is possible with the right kind of support.
So say thanks to the Mums, not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.