Mothering Sunday in the UK is different from Mother’s Day in other countries, not only in name but also as a moveable feast (the date changes each year and can even be in different months). I believe it is important to hold on to a name, so that we can identify with our roots and understand why we celebrate certain special days at different times each year. Am I wrong to think this?
Should Mothering Sunday be called Mother’s Day?
Should Christmas be called Xmas?
Should Easter be called Chocolate Egg Day?
Below is a comment left in our guestbook. .
“Mothering Sunday is the old-fashioned name and was the way it was known many years ago. On flowery greetings cards in the UK, you do still see Mothering Sunday quoted, but it’s mostly just Mother’s Day. “
Mothering Sunday is British. Like Boxing Day, there is a special reason why we call it Mothering Sunday.
You can find out why on our website
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/easter/mothers.htm
Should the British call it “Mothering Sunday” or we should adopt the name “Mother’s Day”?
We would be interested to hear your thoughts
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If people want to celebrate Mother’s Day as they do in America, that’s fine, but then why don’t they celebrate it on its correct date in May? The moveable date in March is Mothering Sunday.
ReplyDeleteOne big advantage of the name Mothering Sunday: no apostrophe is needed! Most places seem to use “Mother’s Day”, yet surely it’s a day for all mothers, so should be “Mothers’ Day”? I’ve also seen “Mothers Day”.
It is Mothering Sunday. I object to Mothers' Day. I write and complain to the likes of M & S and Waitrose, to no effect. It is our Christian heritage and should be preserved.
ReplyDeleteI just wish it would be on the same day every year. Or better still, have it coincide with the American Mother’s day!
ReplyDeleteI live in the States, so not only do I have to buy my mum a card almost a year in advance, whilst they’re in the shops for the American day, I also have to remember when I’ve put it AND remember what day it’s supposed to fall on.
i’ve just been into whitcoulls here in new zealand and saw mothers day cards for sale – to send to the u.k. i am pleased to be reminded of the date as here in new zealand we have mothers day in may. i love the heritage of Mothering Sunday and will from now on welcome cards gifts etc. on mothering sunday, and will let americans and others celerate in may.
ReplyDeletemy heritage is british – so i like the fact that this links me back to my great great great ….. grandmothers! p.s happy mothering sunday to my mother in law Gill Vaughn in dorset uk
I know my Mum is always much happier when I get her a card saying Happy Mothering Sunday than Happy Mother’s Day – but I wonder if she’d feel the same if she knew the true origins – I’m not so sure. I didn’t know Simnel cake was for before Easter, either – thanks for the education!
ReplyDeleteMothering Sunday was the day when you visited your Mother and Mother Church. A small posy of flowers, violets from Rector’s garden in my case, was presented to the children
ReplyDelete(One posy per Mother not child as today). Only a small gift was bought by children for their Mother. Unfortunately over the last 20-30 years the florists have vastly increased their prices for Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday is a Christian celebration and part of Great Britain. It is virtually impossible to find a Mothering Sunday card now.
We should keep our British traditions and our Heritage. Mothering Sunday should be celebrated in the traditional way -other countries have their traditions and celebrations which we respect so too should we be respected.
ReplyDeleteSue
Dorset
I think England should keep her traditions, including Mothering Sunday. I’m in Canada, and here we call it Mother’s Day in May. My Mum in England says her plaintif cry on Mothering Sunday is “I’m a mother too!”, but when I send her something for Mother’s Day, she feels like the only Mum in the world!
ReplyDeleteJackie
I really feel that traditions whether with a religious origin or not should be encouraged. When we travel to other countries it is to experience their culture and so often we find these traditions endearing. The same should be so in the UK, it is a highly mutlicultural country now, but such traditions should be encourged, the commercialism reduced and it would be lovely if schools would reintroduce the practice that I remember as a child of making a card in school and buying a small posy of flowers I think Violets for Mothering Sunday and Snowdrops for Easter. Nowadays, sadly there are so many mothers who are single parents and thier children don’t ahve any one to remind them of how special their mother is and what a wonderful gesture if their chikd arrived home with a card and flowers!
ReplyDeleteI think it should be Mothering Sunday and remain on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Each country has their own traditions and holidays. I know that the Episcopal Church U.S.A. still follows Anglican tradition and calls it Mothering Sunday; further, a break from the Lenten fast is allowed due to the Simnel cake tradition!
ReplyDeleteI feel that Mothering Sunday is something that is good to remember and preserve, but I see no harm in calling it Mothers’ Day and celebrating our mothers on it. I think it is fun to be different and I hope that Britain never adopts what I consider the artificial and commercial, American fixed day in May. All countries traditional celebrations deserve to be enjoyed. I live in Canada, so I do have the problem of finding out when it is each year so I can send my mum a gift and a card in time. I was delighted to discover the Woodlands Junior School web page about Mothering Sunday and it was very helpful, cheerful and interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of the meaning behind our family traditions which I remember from the 1940s in Essex. I have always preferred the name Mothering Sunday to Mother’s Day as it can include all those who act as mothers whether or not they are mothers in the full sense – and in the modern world that is even more important than it was when I was a child. My mother (born 1908) always baked a simnel cake for Easter, creating a depression in the centre before baking so that it rose with a hollow middle, into which she would put small eggs made of home-made marzipan, but I didn’t know of the apostolic significance until today. She was one of the first girls in her family of agricultural labourers not to go into service as industrial jobs had opened up in the nearby town. Her mother lived nearby and she visited her all the time, and supported her through her last illness in her late eighties. We used to go to the village church every Sunday where she sang in the choir.
ReplyDeleteIts Mothering Sunday – always and forever!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMothers Day is the same celebration regardless of what it is called. Britain is lucky to have a long history and many of her customs such as Mothering Sunday are older than America.
ReplyDeleteWe all think of our mothers everyday but spoil them rotten on their special day. I love the sound of Mothering Sunday. I love the way it is part of our history and I think all British kids should be taught why it is Mothering Sunday and not Mothers’ Day.
Everyone loves their mother, but not everyone is a christian, so Mother’s day is fine.
ReplyDeleteMothering Sunday should remain. it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or not that is your decision, but why should our heritage be changed just to suit. Britian is much too fond of accommodating everyone and not too bothered about preserving its traditions etc. and we are rapidly heading towards a lack of identity.
ReplyDeleteWhen we visit other countries or if we are a part of other countries we wouldn’t expect them to change their traditions because that is what belongs to them.
Mothering Sunday is a Christian celebration/recognition for mothers so why change it? It’s just as foolish to change it as it is to change Christmas to xmas to suit all when Christmas is about Christ!
I so agree. Keep Mothering Sunday. Whilst it is difficult to find Mothering Sunday cards it’s not impossible, it just takes time to search which I appreciate not all of us have, but it is so worth it for a Mum who simply wishes to retain the original – and British – tradition of Mothering Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI live in France and they celebrate in May aswell, however even though it’s not always easy for me to find cards for the British mothering Sunday i still think it should stay as it is. Why follow the Americans all the time? I didn’t know the significance of the moveable date and the history behind the name ‘Mothering Sunday’ so thank you for this information. I think these traditions should be kept as we have so few nowadays. Also in many French schools the children are not allowed to make cards (teachers say that if some children haven’t got mothers than this would be difficult for them) which i think is totally rididiculous. Therefore in France, Mother’s Day doesn’t have quite the same meaning and is more commercial. The joy for mums in the UK is when there child comes home with a card made at school which is not the case in France.
ReplyDelete> Christmas is about Christ!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is about winter not christ! most cultures have a winter festival and the english people had one long before christians retrofitted a bible story to the winter solstice in order to appease the pagans. It still has one now and there are not many christians in the uk. Easter is just the same (pagan hare goddess). The names for festivals change over time and new meanings are added as cultures change.
At the moment we are in the middle of a consumer culture so our festivals and celebrations are dominated by consumption. This is why the meaning of festivals is not known by our children. We are teaching them that it is all about gifts.
If you love your mother an can't find a mothering sunday card, make one. That way, you bypass the consumer culture that is poisoning our children. Grow some violets in your garden for your children to pick in spring, give some to your neighbors children for their mothers.
My Mum has always insisted on the term Mothering Sunday and as a result I always make sure I buy her a card that says that rather than Mothers Day. The choice is limited, and it often means it takes ages to find the right card, but her insistance that Mothering Sunday is the correct and proper term will mean I will always think of her when I see those words. As a mother myself I must say that I would be happy with either on my card as long as it was accompanied by a hug from my wonderful son!
ReplyDeleteAs far as “Xmas” goes, my understanding is that the X derives from the Greek letter chi, which is the first letter of Christ’s name written in Greek. In the early years of the printing press when type had to be set by hand, X was a useful abbreviation for Christ, not a removal of the name.
ReplyDeleteWow what a wide range of comments. Get a bit off the point some of I think !
ReplyDeleteA great website by Woodlands Junior School – (and for some of you bloggers that’s below the age of 11 so they deserve a massive amount of credit for such an intelligent job).
Personally I think the majority of the country (UK) recognise it as Mothers’ Day – but are also equally aware that Mothering Sunday is traditional Anglican Church festival that relates to it. I’m not a Christian, but do celebrate Christian holidays (which I believe were largely appropriate – in terms of their dates – from earlier pagan customs) – so I’d like to keep it as the 4th Sunday in Lent.
As for the person who thinks all British people hate Americans, and that our history is filled with the destruction of other cultures – take a step back and have a good think – and maybe read a few history books as well. – and to respond by saying the BNP is gaining in popularity due to failed multiculturalism ??
Well I’m a Headteacher in an inner London Special school – and I think I can safely say that multiculturalism is alive and kicking and rather nice actually, and the BNP are not gaining in popularity. Lot’s of American’s enjoy living and working in the UK by the way – and vice versa, and don’t have a problem with sending their Mum two lots of flowers !!
Of course “Mothering Sunday” – as a Christian tradition, should be re-named. Many people living in modern Britain are from other cultures, and are bound to find this link between motherhood and Christianity offensive. Ideally it should also be moved to another date (the American May date is ideal as the weather is often better), so as to completely remove the association with Easter and the Church.
ReplyDeleteNow that the Winter Festival is supeceeding Christmas, it is also time to celebrate the Spring Festival instead if Easter, and move into a truly multi-cultural society.
There are many different dates for Mothers Day around the world. Most countries do seem to celebrate Mothers Day in May.
ReplyDeleteBoth the terms Mothering Sunday and Mothers Day are used in Britain. Even though Britain is a multicultural country (like most countries) I think it important to acknowledge and remember festivals and special days of the host country, other wise surely all countries will just end up being the same?
Could someone possibly pleae clarify this. I have learned that mothers day is in fact mothering sunday when you celebrate and visit you ,mother church.. so there for is it a celebration of the mother that gave birth to me. Sorry if this sounds silly or harsh, just my mum let go of me in september and doesnt want anything to do with me and just trying to figure out if i am to send a card or not .. and is it best to say mothers day or mothering sunday. Please reply ZOE
ReplyDeleteThe origins of Mothers Day in Britain go back to the time when people would have time of work to visit their families and the Mother Church. It was and still is called Mothering Sunday and still falls in the middle of Lent on a day when people took a break from the strict lenten fast.
ReplyDeleteWhether to send a card with the words Mothering Sunday and Mothers Day is a personal choice and I don’t think it matters which one is sent. It is the words inside or what you write that will mean more.
Zoe, I am sure your Mum will be touched by any card you send to her. I hope she will realise how much you still care for her and will let you back into her life.
In answer to the quote of Anonymous of 11th March:
ReplyDeleteIt is true many people living in modern Britain are from other cultures, but surely the term “multi-cultural” means living side-by-side and not instead of their own culture and tradition – it works both ways! As a Christian, I therefore find it offensive to suggest dates should be “moved” and meanings “changed” to suit other cultures. I think this person to study the term “multi-cultural society” before moving on to Christian tradition. Also, what the weather has to do with it is beyond me!
Mother’s day, ot Mothers’ day in the States is a commercial invention by greeting card manufacturers. It’s in May to fill in a gap between Easter and whatever the next occasion is in the US, Armed Forces Day, or Memorial Day perhaps. Mothering Sunday should remain as it is in UK, both in name and as a moveable feast.
ReplyDeleteWe should be proud of our customs and traditions. Mothering Sunday is what it is. We should be proud of our heritage and challenge this Americanisation of it whenever we see it!
ReplyDeleteCommercial card companies like to call it Mother’s Day so the same items can be used in USA and UK and add to their profits.
Have you also noted how people do not spell the seasons with capital letters – including DfCSF?
Martin
Mothering Sunday is more than just ‘Mother’s Day’! It is the day that, as Christians, we celebrate being part of Mother Church, we remember Mary the mother of Jesus, and also those that Mother us as well.
ReplyDeleteWhilst we remember our own mothers, we should be sensitive to those who have lot mothers – young and old – and to those who have carers rather than mothers. Mothering Sunday allows us to be inclusive, and to make it a special day for all who mother us, whoever they are!
‘Mother’s Day’ is in the same bracjet as ‘Father’s Day’ – onvented by card manufacturer’s to get us to part with even more money!!!!
Sorry but I firmly believe the entire meaning of Mothering Sunday, along with many other of our Christian celebrations has been hi jacked by a cynical money making machine.
ReplyDeletePeople who can ill afford will buy mothers’ day cards, fathers’ day cards, and all the other cards for which we are blackmailed into parting with our money.
I think it is a marvellous idea to keep the tradition of Mothering Sunday, even if you are not a christian or regular churchgoer. The mothering Sunday is an english tradition and I see no reason to make it fit in with other peoples / countries, who after all have their own traditions as well.Here is to diversity and different traditions wherever they may be.
ReplyDeleteKeep to Mothering Sunday. We make our cards and don’t jump on the money making wagon. Our roots and heritage are important, that’s how we pass traditions onto our children.
ReplyDeleteI resent the marketing machine which has taken over so much of our English Christian tradition. It is Mothering Sunday and should always be referred to as such.
ReplyDeleteThe marketing men and women have spoiled so much including bring forward products on shelves so that the seasons get so muddled, Christmas, Easter, Guy Fawkes and that ghastly American clebration of Halloween.
I would introduce a law which forbade any reference to the above being displayed in the shops and newspapers etc until. 14 days before the event That would stop this marketing hype and greed
Why should we be totally americanised. It is a celebration that goes back further than American history!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe it should stay as Mothering Sunday. It is a Christian celebration, as is Easter and Christmas. If all those atheist’s out there do not believe in these celebrations then don’t celebrate them, Just use our celebrated days as you would any other day. My family do not use these day’s to over indulge in the consuption of today’s down falls. It is the unchristian who have turned these days into a greedy over indulgent fest. so in reality you can choose to have a day to give gifts etc on any day of the year which suit yourselves as individuals and not give it a name at all!!!!
ReplyDeleteI live in America, so Mum said that she had two special days — Mothering Sunday, from my sister and Mother’s Day from me! Mothering Sunday was more suitable for our Mum, because I was flying home for her death on Mother’s Day.
ReplyDeleteI’d love to spend one more day with her — whatever the name of the day.
I live in Australia now and we follow the American Mothers’ Day. I do miss the more gentle Mothering Sunday I grew up with.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Britain last year for a prolonged visit, I was appalled to see how anti-Christianity the country has become. Though I agree that it is wrong to force one’s beliefs onto another, the refusal to allow public celebration of Christian festivals and forcing everyone to celebrate them as non-Christian, commercial festivities destroys them. It appears that it is okay to belong to any religion and expect others to respect your beliefs, as long as you are not Christian. What were genuine religious festivals have had all religious meaning stripped from them and they become an empty, money grabbing shells of what they once were. Although I would love Mothering Sunday to continue, with the current socio-political climate in Britain, I fear it will disapear.
I'm a Muslim, my mother is a Christian. Regardless of our different religions, I participate in Mothering Sunday because it makes my mother feel extremely special.
ReplyDeleteThe debate about multiculturalism stems from the failure to understand the commonalities between people, rather than focusing on the differences. In most orthodox, monotheistic, religions mothers are revered therefore the resonance of Mothering Sunday is understood by many non-Christians too.
Ironically, as a single mother, I get very emotional when my daughter brings home hand made Mother's Day (yes inevitably) cards from school. That and a few daffodils held together by an elastic band is enough.
'Mothering Sunday' should be more vigorously promoted and its roots and simple traditions preserved rather than giving into the cynical commercialism of 'Mother's Day'.
(Fantastic website!)
Just mother your mother on that special day, whatever day it falls on in the country you live in.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are Christians in the UK.
Best wishes
Ali
I think that Mothering Sunday should remain as such; the Americans and other countries can do what is best for them, I believe we should not call it Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteOur family has always called it Mothering Sunday and I'm nearly 60 so don't intend to change now. The Americans can call it what they like – I'm not interested.
ReplyDeleteDiane
I am from the US, and I think that Mothering Sunday should remain as it is. I think the history behind it makes it a lot more special than just "Mother's Day"…. Don't switch the name simply because in America it is different. Embrace the differences and appreciate what you have. I in fact, wouldn't mind celebrating Mothering Day!
ReplyDeleteI think we ought to start a campain to keep Mothering Sunday. Although I don't have a mother any more I have two women in my life who I am very close to, as they helped shape my life. I send them cards on Mothering Sunday, which say "Happy Mothering Sunday". Each year there get harder to find, what a shame. Also I remember when my girls attended Sunday school, they made posies for all the women in the church whether or not they were mother's or not,as most women have connections to children, either as auntie's,godmother's,stepmother's or even house mother's in a boarding school. So please,please don't get rid of Mothering Sunday in Britain….if the America's want to change to Mother's Day let them, but this is not the US!!
ReplyDeletePerhaps we could start a Keep Mothering Sunday campaign with the card manufacturers. Of course we should keep our traditions alive here, whether or not we go to church. Incidentally our church still makes posies for all the women in the church and the children take extra home for those who could not come. I have often seen posies being put on graves of mothers and grandmothers…….
ReplyDeleteIt would be a shame to loose the cultural context of the name Mothering. I live in the United States and Mother's Day is in May. Yes, we are still celebrating mothers but in my culture (Hispanic American) we celebrate at that time because it is the month we celebrate Mary, the Blessed Virgin and Mother of Christ. I say shame on the folks who are trying to homogenize these long established traditions.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Those wanting Mothering rather than Mother's Day on their cards might try making/printing them at home. Most mamma's like home made anyway. 🙂
I feel very strongly that we should keep the Mothering Sunday tradition and not fall in to the American way. If we are not careful we will be celebrating the 4th of July next! We need to keep our own identity. My boys know I will not accept a Mothers day card, Mothering Sunday cards can still be bought – I won't be buying 9th of May cards for a Mid Lent celebration.
ReplyDeleteI spend ages each year looking for cards that have 'Mothering Sunday' on them as my Mother really objects to it being known as Mother's Day! It is getting more and more difficult each year though! 🙂
ReplyDeleteMothering Sunday is part of the Christian Churches calendar, it should remain as Mothering Sunday not become Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteIt is also important that 'Christ' isn't taken out of Christmas – there is no celebration without him!
I am surprised that no one noticed the connection between Mothering Sunday and the Epistle for the Fourth Sunday in Lent in the Book of Common Prayer. May I quote: "But Jerusalem which is above is free : which is the mother of us all." What it is pointing out is that as Christians, the Church, as the heavenly Jerusalem, is our Mother. People were encouraged to return to their mother parish, that is to the one in which they were baptized, as a recognition of that fact. Since in much earlier times very few people ever went very far from that place where they were born and baptized, it was also a time to visit their earthly mother and family. Hence the need for celebratory food.
ReplyDeletewe should keep mothering sundays as a tribute to our mothers who for years raise us.
ReplyDeleteMary '08
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with all those in favour of recognizing that it is Mothering Sunday on the forth Sunday of Lent.When I was an Infant teacher the children (not kids) had a wonderful time making cards and a class Semnel cake, which was shared and given to their mums at a special assembly. Some mums,I know still treasure those cards!
My own daughters always search for 'Mothering' Sunday cards!!
i think mothers day should be scrapped there are people with no mothers ,who must feel terrible at this time of year
ReplyDeleteMothering Sunday is the correct name for the 4 Sunday in Lent.The name Mother's day is an imported name from America whose Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. Shame on the card companies who do not know this!¬
ReplyDeleteMothering Sunday as opposed to Mother's Sunday is more meaningful to the original meaning, history and reason for the celebration. Britain, being a Christian nation need to continue to embrace her culture and should uphold the need to honour all mothers and those who play motherhood roles in the society for their love and care as mothers in the society. Having the occasion as mothering rather than mother's day will allow also mothers, (though or may be without children) not to feel unappreciated and their labour of love seems unnoticed. Happy Mothering Sunday to all with mothering or motherhood roles!!! God Bless You All. Your are Mothers of all Nations.- Folu Omilaju
ReplyDeleteI think all you people getting your knickers in a twist about the name Mothering Sunday need to loosen up a bit. Changing the name to mothers day would not destroy our culture or sense of national identity, neither would it be abandoning our Christian heritage. It would just be changing a flipping name, to one that most people use anyway. And if we changed the date as well at least it would be easier to remember when it was coming up. Harping on about the ancient history of the name Mothering Sunday and getting uptight about the possibility of changing it for a (God forbid) AMERICAN holiday is shockingly anally retentive behaviour about a topic of very little importance. Can we please save the outrage for something that matters for a change, Daily Mail readers?
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting information regarding the tradition and origin of Mothers' Day/Mothering Sunday. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the origin of Fathers' Day ?
Rob.
growing up in England, I have such fond memories of going to the "woods" and finding wild violets, cutting catkins and pussy willow. We would hide our lovely bunches of flowers under the bed until morning. There was nothing commercial about it…just love for our Mum with a pure heart. Times were rough for us as a child (born after the war) but the wonderful traditions that we embraced will be with me forever. I now live in the U.S. and it is very commercialized and expensive. Fathers pay for gifts for their children to give to their Mothers instead of being creative and resourceful, handmade items made with tiny hands mean more to Mum than a $75 vase of roses.
ReplyDeletePlease, keeping "mothering Sunday" alive and well. If we don't, the next thing that will happen is children won't even be able to sing "knees up Mother Brown!".
It seems to me that "mothering Sunday" is a Christian tradition, that has become the British tradition that is "mothers' day". As a non-Christian, I feel it is necessary to be clear that the two things are different. I love mothers' day because it's good to do something nice for my mother, but I would feel hypocritical calling it mothering Sunday since I have no intention of following the Christian traditions that go with it! I have a similar thing about Christmas/xmas, and have no idea what to call Easter. I see these days as family days rather than religious festivals. That said, the comment above about apostrophes does sway me toward "mothering Sunday" more than I would like…
ReplyDeleteOne of the Anony-mice, on the 22nd of March, wrote of "that ghastly American clebration of Halloween".
ReplyDeleteI hope s/he meant the ghastly way in which Americans celebrate Hallowe'en, rather than trying to imply that Hallowe'en is not a native event.
Hallowe'en, or All-Hallows' Eve, or the eve of All-Saints' Day, has been continuously marked by festivities and events in many parts of the UK.
This has often been in places far from the Metropolitan media, and we are now being reverse-colonised by American traditions by our own media, principally childrens' telly, which is pushing out our own word-of-mouth traditions. Just like grey squirrels are pushing out our own native red squirrels.
Hallowe'en is ours, and always has been. If you object to the Americanisation of Hallowe'en, seek out the UK Hallowe'en traditions.
I agree that it should be called Mothering Sunday. This is not because I think the Christian tradition should be maintained but because, as some of the other posters have said, people who aren't mothers, or children without mothers, must feel really excluded on 'Mother's Day'. Mothering Sunday means that those involved in 'mothering' a child can be celebrated and thanked and any child without a mother can thank those who take that role in their life (and I believe there are very few children who have nobody who 'mothers' them.)
ReplyDelete