Mother’s Day in Canada is a beautiful way to celebrate and appreciate mothers in your life (mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and family friends). And it’s a great time to create special memories with children. It’s a special and important day to wish Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and show gratitude and honour. For immigrants celebrating this special day for the first time in Canada, it’s even more meaningful.
When is Mother’s Day?
Over thousands of years, many traditional celebrations of mothers and motherhood have existed throughout the world. Canada’s Mother’s Day goes back to 1907 when American school teacher Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day in honour of her late mother.
In 1915, this day also became an official holiday in Canada and Canadians have since then celebrated this special day. The day is not a public holiday where people get time off work, but it always falls on the second Sunday of May. This year, it’s on Sunday, May 12th, 2024!
Children create handmade gifts & cards, present their mothers with flowers, and cook special breakfasts on that day. They start learning about this day in kindergarten when teachers help them make gifts and discuss ideas to celebrate.
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In Canada, kids usually call their mothers: Mom or Mum, and both spellings are correct. The American version of “Mom” is predominant, but the British version “Mum” is common as well. And of course, there are Mama, Maman, Mommy, and Mumzee, all the variations reflecting Canadian diversity.
Grown children spend some quality time together with their mothers to make this day special. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe, everything depends on family traditions.
My Experience
Immigrant parents do not have it easy, especially once their children start school in Canada. Trying to figure out the school system and learning school rules both spoken and unspoken, helping their children with homework, and trying to make their friends welcome at home. All this adds to the challenges of the first few years of getting settled in Canada.
Not all countries celebrate Mother’s Day, or they celebrate it differently.
I came from Europe where the closest holiday was International Women’s Day on March 8th. On this day, children present their mothers with flowers and cards as well.
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My First Mother’s Day in Canada
When I immigrated 15 years ago my children started their first school year. I was overwhelmed with school & social requirements, parent responsibilities, helping kids to get through each day, and trying to make their transition to the new country as smooth as possible.
How wonderful and sweet was my first Mother’s Day. My children made beautiful cards for me and attempted to make a special breakfast too. I was very touched as any mom would be.
There have been many celebrations since then. My children have grown up, so now we spend the holiday doing something special together. We’ll go on a hike, visit the art gallery, or have a picnic on one of Vancouver’s beaches, weather permitting. They still make beautiful cards for me which I treasure.
As a daughter, I adopted this tradition myself and every year I spend some special time with my mother who lives in Europe on Skype on that day. And my mother thinks this is the kindest tradition reflecting Canadian culture and the importance of family ties.
For immigrant mothers, this celebration has one more meaning. As an immigrant mom, it can be a challenge. But, being part of this celebration reflects that you are integrating into life in Canada, its traditions, and society successfully. That is certainly a great feeling.
Wishing a happy Mother’s Day to all moms! And, if this is your first Mom’s Day in Canada, enjoy this beautiful tradition. Create special memories with your children and with the moms in your life to treasure forever.
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