Happy Mother’s Day - Kingston Garrison News

Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the love and guidance of mother figures, who have created a family through birth, adoption, fostering, or blending of families; welcomed their children as infants, or later on; shared the journey, or parented solo.

Did you know…?

Around the world, in various languages, there are many similar names for mothers, including Maman, Mamà, Omaamaamimaa, Mamma, Ammi and Ima.
Springtime festivals in ancient Greece and Rome honoured the mothers of the gods, but the idea of a modern Mother’s Day tribute came from a poem written in 1870, by Julia Ward Howe – an American poet, activist, and mother of six children. The first Mother’s Day celebration in the U.S. was organized in the early 1900s by teacher Anna Jarvis, in memory of her own mother. Mother’s Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1915.
Anna Jarvis commented, “I wanted a day of sentiment, not profit!” in response to the commercialization of Mother’s Day, which has been an ongoing trend: according to a study conducted in 2004, floral sales surge by 119% in the week preceding the holiday, and sales in jewelry and card stores see even bigger increases!
Mother’s Day occurs on the second Sunday in May in many countries, but it’s also honoured at other times of year, including February celebrations in Norway, a three-day mid-autumn feast in Ethiopia, and an official holiday on December 22^nd in Indonesia.

What support is available to mothers in the CFB Kingston community?

Families seeking parenting strategies and support are welcome to contact the KMFRC’s Parenting Support Specialist: snipskmfrc@gmail.com
The Psychology Clinic at Queen’s University is a resource for perinatal wellness
Information about Virtual Prenatal Education
Networking opportunities, based on a variety of similar parenting experiences, include the “Newborns in a Pandemic” group on Facebook, and the website for the One Parent Families Association in Kingston.
Parents of single Canadian Armed Forces members can find resources through Military Family Services and Military Family Resource Centres.
Information about charitable organizations, for individuals wishing to assist mothers and expectant mothers with shelter, education, childcare and nutrition
Every year, the Royal Canadian Legion names a National Silver Cross Mother from those who have lost a child during active military operations. The 2019 National Silver Cross Mother, Reine Sampson Dawe, is a military spouse and parent of four CAF members, one of whom lost his life in Afghanistan. She is the guest featured in a podcast with the Canadian Army Podcast
This day can be difficult for anyone who has experienced the loss of a child or a mother. Agencies that can offer grief support include the Bereaved Families of Ontario-Kingston Region, which currently offers virtual support, and Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton, whose services include online and text support and online chats.