Mother’s Day Cringe: Not Everyone Is Celebrating This Weekend
Mother’s Day is coming.
Cue the flowers, brunch reservations, social posts, and well-meaning messages about gratitude and love.
And for many people, it’s exactly that.
But for others?
It’s complicated. Heavy. Triggering. Lonely. Painful.
And most workplaces don’t talk about that part.
Mother’s Day is coming...
And if I’m being honest, there were years when I dreaded it.
There were seasons where I was navigating abuse. Seasons where I was holding things together for my children while quietly falling apart myself. Seasons where the idea of “celebration” felt completely disconnected from reality.
I remember showing up anyway.
Smiling when expected. Participating in conversations. Nodding along to “What are your plans?”
And thinking… If people really knew what this day felt like for me...
But they didn’t know.
Because I didn’t say anything. And they didn’t ask.
The Version We See… and the One We Don’t
Mother’s Day is often presented as one thing:
Warm. Joyful. Grateful. Celebratory.
And for many people, it truly is.
But for many others?
It’s layered.
At work, it tends to show up like this:
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms on our team!”
Office treats and cheerful emails
Conversations about brunch plans and family time
It’s thoughtful. It’s kind. It’s well-intentioned.
But it also carries an assumption:
That everyone experiences motherhood (or this day) in a way that feels safe to celebrate.
And that’s simply not true.
What Might Be Sitting Quietly Beneath the Surface
On your team right now, there may be someone who is:
Navigating a divorce and parenting transition
Estranged from their mother
Grieving a loss
Struggling with infertility
Healing from abuse
Missing their children
Or choosing distance for their own safety
They may smile. They may nod along. They may even participate.
But inside?
It’s not a celebration.
They may not say anything.
They may even join in.
But internally, it can feel like:
Pressure to perform happiness
Disconnection from the conversation
A quiet reminder of what’s missing, broken, or still healing
And when those experiences aren’t acknowledged, people don’t just feel unseen, they feel separate.
Why This Matters at Work
This isn’t about cancelling Mother’s Day.
It’s about expanding awareness.
Because moments like this shape how people experience your culture:
Do they feel included… or overlooked?
Seen… or assumed?
Safe… or quietly triggered?
Culture isn’t just built in strategy meetings. It’s built in the moments where we either include people, or unintentionally leave them out.
Why We Don’t Talk About It
This is where something familiar shows up again.
We notice.
We sense when something might be off. We feel when someone isn’t fully in the moment.
But we don’t ask.
Because:
We don’t want to offend
We’re not sure what’s appropriate
We don’t know what we’d say if they opened up
We worry about crossing a line
So instead, we stay surface-level.
Or we lean into the script of celebration… Even when it doesn’t fit everyone in the room.
The Cost of Staying Surface-Level
When we default to assumptions, a few things happen:
People feel pressure to hide parts of their reality
Conversations become less authentic
Trust stays shallow
And the gap between “work self” and “real self” widens
This isn’t just about feelings.
It impacts:
Engagement
Retention
Psychological safety
And the overall health of your culture
Because culture isn’t built in the big moments.
It’s built in how we handle the sensitive ones.
What Human-First Leadership Looks Like Here
This isn’t about removing Mother’s Day.
It’s about expanding how we approach it.
Human-first leadership means:
1. Shifting the language Instead of: “Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!”
Try: “For those who celebrate Mother’s Day, we’re thinking of you, and we also recognize this day can bring a mix of emotions.”
2. Acknowledging complexity You don’t need to over-explain. Just naming that not everyone experiences this day the same way creates space.
3. Creating optionality Let people engage at the level that feels right for them, without pressure or expectation.
4. Being available, not intrusive You don’t need to dig. But you can signal openness:
“I know this weekend can be a lot for some people, if that’s you, I’m here.”
A Personal Shift That Changed Everything
For me, things started to shift when I stopped trying to force the day to look like what it was “supposed” to be.
When I allowed it to be:
Quiet
Reflective
Honest
When I started redefining what love, motherhood, and healing looked like in my own life.
And just as importantly…
When I began allowing myself to be seen, even just a little.
Because here’s the truth:
The more we normalize real conversations, the less invisible people feel.
This Isn’t Just About Mother’s Day
It’s about how we show up in all emotionally charged moments:
Holidays
Anniversaries
Life transitions
Personal milestones
It’s about moving from:
Assumption → Curiosity
Performance → Presence
Awareness → Action
Because when people feel safe to be real, everything changes.
A Simple Invitation This Week
As we head into the weekend:
✔️ Notice a little more
✔️ Assume a little less
✔️ Choose words* that include, not exclude
✔️ Be open to connection, not just celebration
*You don’t need perfect words. You just need to care enough to pause… and consider what might be unseen.
Call to Action
If this resonates:
Share this with your leadership or HR team
Reflect on how your organization communicates during emotionally complex moments
Visit lifechangesmag.com for resources that support people navigating real-life challenges behind workplace performance
Because not everyone is celebrating.
But everyone deserves to feel considered.
Deena Kordt is a speaker, author, and advocate for human-first leadership. She works with organizations to create cultures where people feel safe, seen, and supported through life's hardest moments. Connect with her at lifechangesmag.com deena@lifechangesmag.com
This article was written by Deena Kordt and featured in her ‘Human First’ LinkedIn Newsletter.
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Meet the Author - Deena Kordt
Deena Kordt, publisher of Life Changes & Divorce Magazine Canada, host of the Life Changes Channel podcast, is also an author & speaker from Southern Saskatchewan with a passion for inspiring personal growth and community support. Growing up on a farm and ranch, she developed strong small-town values and a deep sense of community. Deena has had a diverse career, including roles as a nurse, librarian, and reiki master, but her most cherished role is as a mother.
Deena's books, podcast, magazines, blog and presentations aim to help individuals reconnect with their inner strength and joy, encouraging them to embrace life with courage and resilience. She has overcome significant personal challenges, including the loss of two brothers and living in an abusive situation, which has fueled her mission to support others on their healing journeys.
Known for her adventurous spirit and rock 'n roll heart, Deena believes in the power of a supportive community of women. She invites you to join her in exploring life with curiosity and courage.
Awards and Recognition:
2023 Womanition Trail Blazer Award Nominee
2024 Soroptimist International Ruby Award Winner
2025 IOFP Top Women’s Leadership Coach & Publisher of the Year
Deena has been featured on several podcasts and magazines, co-hosts the “Shift Happens Show” and is working on her memoir.
Note: The author, compiler and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party due to these words coming from the author’s own opinion based on their experiences. This account is based on the author’s own personal experience. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in these articles.
