MOTHER’S DAY ISN’T ABOUT BRUNCH
Mother’s Day isn’t about brunch.
Not really.
It’s not about the lukewarm coffee handed over with a crayon-drawn card (though yes, we’ll take it). It’s not about a bouquet that was panic-bought at a gas station. It’s not even about sleeping in—though, let’s be real, that would be nice.
It’s about the mothering.
The invisible, tireless, all-consuming mothering that holds families together in the quiet hours of the morning and the chaotic hours of the evening. It’s about the people who soothe the cries, wipe the tears, pack the snacks, and notice the moods. The ones who know exactly where the favorite socks are, how to calm the overstimulation, and when someone just needs a banana and a hug.
At TENDER.LY, we know that mothering doesn’t always look the same. And Mother’s Day isn’t just for the people who hold the official title of "mom."
It’s for the birth parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, surrogate parents, and chosen family.
It’s for the trans moms, non-binary parents, and gender-expansive caregivers.
It’s for the aunties who step in, the grandmothers who start over, the friends who show up like family.
It’s for the single parents who carry it all.
It’s for the grieving parents, the trying parents, the waiting parents.
It’s for the ones whose motherhood journey doesn’t fit neatly into a card aisle.
This day is for you.
If you are parenting through postpartum haze, through trauma recovery, through sleepless nights or sensory overload, this day is for you.
If you are mothering while holding down a job, or grieving your own mother, or healing from generational pain — we see you.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing it “right,” we’re here to remind you that showing up, even imperfectly, is love. And love is never wasted.
So here’s what we hope you hear this weekend, even if no one says it out loud:
You are not invisible.
You are not replaceable.
You are not doing it wrong.
You are raising a family in a world that still expects too much and supports too little. And yet — you are still loving, creating rituals, protecting little nervous systems, making magic out of mess.
Maybe no one is planning a surprise for you. Maybe the day feels complicated. Maybe you’re exhausted from caring for everyone else.
If so, let this be your permission slip:
✨ You can name what you need.
✨ You can say, “No thanks, I don’t want to host brunch.”
✨ You can ask for space, or a hug, or two hours alone.
✨ You can order your own flowers.
✨ You can celebrate yourself, loudly or quietly.
Because the truth is: you matter.
Your care matters.
Your presence matters.
Your mothering — whatever shape it takes — is changing lives.
From all of us at TENDER.LY, we see you. We honour you. And we are cheering you on.
Happy Mother’s Day.
This blog was written by Alix, a dedicated doula in Montreal, Canada, and the founder of TENDER.LY. She provides expert pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant feeding support to help families feel confident and cared for. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating the fourth trimester, or looking for feeding guidance, Alix offers compassionate, personalized support.