Has everybody arranged their mothers day meal etc?.

Right Absent. I will tell the granddad in our family that he has to eat in the shed. Even if he (and I) will be financing the meal.

Whole family celebrations are good.

hunt yes, for me, it was the home-made cards and flowers picked out of the garden that gave me lovely lasting memories

I'm having a Mum's Day today, with my dd, who has to work at weekend
We are very rarely on our own together, so it is really nice.

I get to celebrate on Sunday with DS and DIL and skype DD but will be with DD in Belgium on their Mothers day in May.

As the two main women in Frank's life, (his mother and his wife) have died, why should he not treat his daughters? Give the man a break, it seems to me that some members are just waiting to pounce in anything he says or comments on.

My dd has too many worries at the moment. I don't expect she'll remember it!
I'm not bothered. We will probably Skype on Sunday night!

I simply disagree with the notion that it is a grandfather's responsibility to organise a Mothers' Day celebration for his daughters and daughters-in-law – none of whom, after all, is his partner or the mother of his children. I would find it tiresome interference. I was merely expressing my opinion which, so far as I understand, is still allowed on Gransnet forums. I feel that far too many old people still think of themselves as being the focal point of and the most important figure in their adult children's lives.

Aren't there lots of dads facilitating young children giving their mums cards and gifts? I don't think many of us would have had any acknowledgement of Mothers Day without some help from dads, so there's a role or them in such circumstances. I have some nice memories of breakfast in bed and lunch out, organised by my children's dad in their name, and my BiL has sorted out a card and flowers for his DiL whilst his grandson's dad is away on business this weekend, as his 7 year old grandson needed a little help.

Tiresome interference? I saw it as a kind act!! Just my opinion of course.

And I totally agree with you Ceesnan.

I'm sure if the mums in the family don't want a nice meal out, they would say so.

Some people are born organisers. If it gives them pleasure where's the harm? but please don't banish granddad to the shed

As long as Mums are made a fuss of does it matter who organises it?

I. Won't Orca.

Dad organising his young children or reminding his older ones to give their mother a card or helping them make breakfast in bed is both common and charming. Grandparents, on the other hand, organising Mothers' Day for their adult daughters is not common among the people I know. I should not like it were it to happen to me and I would not regard it as someone making a fuss of me but as their intruding where they are not wanted at that particular time. Similarly, I think my husband would have found it very odd and somehow undermining. Other people might find it delightful and welcome the attention. Not everyone is the same – thank goodness.

Sadly, there will be quite a few grandfathers who will do the honours for their daughters for all sorts of reasons, such as them being single or widowed. I don't see it as an issue, but yes, we are all different

Absent chill.

Orca Strangely, I am painfully aware of Mothers' Day nowadays although in the past it wasn't a huge event in the family. I always gave my ma a card, some flowers and a little present and, once grown up and independent, invited her to lunch. Absentdaughter made cards as a child and chose a present or some flowers with her dad's assistance. Since my mother's death in 2003 and absentdaughter's emigration in 2000, the day has become a very poignant reminder of "absent family".

I know. I could feel you getting upset

The reason I am not looking forward to Mother's Day is that I shall be expected to have MIL round who assumes everything should revolve around her , and I must admit to finding extremely irritating. I will listen to her wartime stories variously embellished and her litany of current complaints. I will not allow her to smoke indoors even if its raining and we will be criticised ( fortunately her DS who can do no wrong agrees with me!). I will be happy to get text messages or phone calls from my children here and maybe a Skype with son in Australia but this would be the same any Sunday. I agree a bunch of daffs and a homemade card from a child is as much as any mum could expect or want.

No need to take it out on Frank though.

Ho hum. Both kids emigrated. Mothers day is a different date down under. Once in a blue moon one of them (or DIL) remembers. In the teen years it always got upstaged by DS2's birthday (sorry his hangover - I can't make that crossing out thing work). So there's only MIL and we already do one weekend a month rota there - so she will have a daughter in attendance this weekedn. I sent her an Oxfam "health care for mothers and babies in Ghana" donation/card. She has everything she wants and needs except good health. And I ring her most days.
So it will more or less pass unnoticed. Must remember not to attempt a meal out this weekend! Must remember DS birthday soon.

Absent

I know I sound mean, but I guess part of me is jealous as my own mum is long gone .

Suzie I get what you're saying. When I think about Mothers Day I have to banish the quick first thought about what I would be doing for my mum if she was still around. If I dwell on it, I would be feeling sorry for myself!