Today is Bereaved Mother’s Day…
Bereaved Mother's Day is the holiday you never wanted to know existed. Today is Bereaved Mother's Day, which is observed on the first Sunday of May, one week before Mother's Day.
Bereaved Mother's Day was founded by Carly Marie Dudley in 2010. Carly Marie's son was born still in 2007. Following his death, she became an grief advocate and organized the first International Bereaved Mother's Day to honor and validate mothers who had experienced pregnancy loss or loss of a child.
Bereaved Mother's Day is a day to honor loss moms, who often are overlooked during the traditional Mother's Day holiday. Whether by family, friends, or society as a whole, Loss Moms are often not acknowledged on Mother's Day as their child/children are not present to celebrate them. Today is here to serve as a reminder that you are, and always will be, their Mom.
Bereaved Mother's Day can elicit mixed feelings from Loss Moms. I know some Loss Moms who love Bereaved Mother's Day, as they feel it is a day truly for them and to remember their child gone too soon. On the other hand, there are loss Moms who would prefer to be acknowledged on the traditional Mother's Day or not acknowledged at all.
It is incredibly important that the supportive people in the Loss Mom’s life acknowledge and respect her wishes.
Below are some reminders and ways to support Loss Moms.
Say Their Name: Unless the Loss Mom has explicitly stated otherwise, acknowledge their child. Say their child's name, acknowledge their absence, or share a story about their child if you have one. One of the biggest struggles often reported by Loss Moms is that people do not acknowledge their child.
Don't assume, just ask: Ask the Loss Mom if they want to be honored or celebrate the day. Ask her how she wants the day to go and what she would like to do. Do not assume or project how you would want to spend the day. Loss Moms often report feeling that
Respect Their Wishes: If the Loss Mom says she does not want to celebrate, do not make them celebrate. If it is important for you to celebrate them, find a way that does not force them to celebrate. Make a donation or a random act of kindness, light a candle, or plant a flower. Do something that fulfills your wish to honor them, without making the Loss Mom be a part of it if she doesn't want to.
Lastly - honor the Loss Mom and their baby at other times throughout the year, not just on Bereaved Mother's Day.
For the Loss Moms - wishing you a gentle day today and always.
Sending love, strength, and support your way,
Ashley
Source: https://pregnancyafterlosssupport.org/international-bereaved-mothers-day/