Mother’s Day is a universal celebration of mothers or mother figures amongst us. We use this day to show our appreciation, love and respect for our mother and mother figures in our lives. I, for one, always go above and beyond for my dear mother, grandmothers and aunts on this day. If I haven’t shown them enough love and appreciation on any other day, I ensure that this day is filled with it. I know the same can be said for many of you reading this as well. As I’m writing this, I can’t help but wonder why can’t the same energy be reciprocated all year round for many mothers in certain households in Guyana. You see, from a very young age, many women in Guyana are subjected to a host of responsibilities which includes housework or chores, child-bearing, and child-rearing—all while still working, educating one’s self or trying to balance a healthy social life. It’s a lot.

A part of me regrets writing a gloomy, informative article on this special day, but I believe that this conversation is very much needed. It’s not meant for mothers, but it’s intended for children and husbands of those whom we are celebrating today. Our mothers are subjected to many responsibilities and roles, whether she wants to or not. “A mother does the job of 20, for free” is a quote that best describes this dilemma. While today is a day meant specifically to celebrate her, I urge you to show her that same kind of love and affection all year round. Many fathers and children would often get up early to make a special breakfast for mom on this day. Instead of making it an annual thing, you can do it weekly or even every other day. Instead of only waiting until it’s Mother’s Day to do the chores without her asking, try to be just as responsible for the household’s wellbeing on every other day.

The entirety of this article is to ensure that you don’t wait until it’s just one day out of the other 364 days to show her how much she’s appreciated, to help her when she needs help or to even tell her to take a day off. The responsibilities and wellbeing of a household should be equally shared and executed. I also don’t expect this to be forced onto children, even though they are age-appropriate chores that they as well can partake in from time to time. The older I grew, the more I understood how difficult it is for my mother to do the laundry, cook, clean, get me dressed for school, get herself dressed, head out to work, and come home back home to restart her routine all over again. My father can’t thank her enough for all that she’s done as he was always busy working extra hours at his work to ensure financial security for us. I’m not sure what would have happened without her, and as an adult, I spend every day helping her to the best of my abilities because I am also aware that age is descending upon her. Her resilience in motherhood is something I hope I can someday mirror into the lives of my child, even though I know I’ll have very big shoes to fill in that regard.

I remember my mother telling me that some of her friends aren’t fortunate to have tween/adult children and husbands to help them as much as we did. They’re left to tend to and care for the entire household by themselves. Those mothers are the ones I’m writing this article for. Fresh roses and breakfast baskets are nice for one day, sure. However, our mothers are constantly working in our households, and most of the time, they do it without help. I hope that it took time to read this; it motivates you to help your mother more in the household, to take over certain chores from her even if she doesn’t ask you to and to unconditionally show your appreciation towards her for the care she gives to the household. Happy Mother’s Day to every mother, every mother-figure, mother-to-be and grieving mother. It is my hope that you’re treated with the love and admiration that you deserve—today and all year round.