Every year, I get this question from my Brazilian followers. It’s hard not to compare Mothers’ Day in Norway X Brazil when you grew up in such a festive country.
If you ask a Norwegian how it’s celebrated, many of them will probably say “I don’t know.” It has nothing to do with how much they love their moms, it’s a cultural thing.
Mother’s Day in Norway is the second Sunday in February. Mothers’ Day in Brazil is on the second Sunday in May, like in the US and many other Christian countries. The original celebration was created after Virgin Mary. The reason why Norwegians have picked another date is probably due to Dorothea Margrethe Schjoldager (1853–1938) and Karen Platou (1879–1950) from Oslo. They suggested the change because there are several holidays already in May (Constitutional Day, Pentecost). If you ask me, I think it’s cozy to give mothers extra attention and love during the dark Winter.
In Brazil, Mothers’ Day is the second most popular holiday (after Christmas). This day, moms don’t get to cook, they don’t do housework. Children make gifts at school and kindergarten. Older children buy gifts. Husbands buy gifts to their wives. Like real gifts. The whole family gathers at a restaurant for lunch. After that, they spend the rest of the day with their mom and their mom’s mom. Moms get flowers, cards and a gift. It’s a big deal.
So I came to Norway. And I became a mom. I didn’t see many ads. I didn’t hear people talk about it. So I asked. What happens at Mothers’ Day?
It’s not as popular as in Brazil. Some Norwegians don’t think it’s that meaningful. It’s cultural. Maybe it has something to do with gender equality. Mom’s don’t need to be rescued from household “slavery”, as dads tend to share the chores. Norwegian mothers don’t do drama and say how they sacrifice their lives to raise their children. Lunch isn’t the family’s main meal anyway. Plus: restaurants in Norway are way more expensive than in Brazil. Not every Norwegian family has the habit of eating at restaurants. When I asked a school teacher, she said she takes in consideration kids that are orphans or don’t have a good relationship with their moms. So, she prefers to make it optional, not mandatory to make gifts. Maybe that’s why. I have asked around and I really don’t know. What I do know is:
Norwegian mothers get breakfast in bed. Some of them get flowers and chocolate. Some of them get cards made by their children (it depends on the school teacher’s motivation). And some of them get a gift (rarely). They spend their day with their children, doing cozy activities like going for a walk, skiing, watching films, playing, baking. It’s up to each family.
Mother’s Day in Norway is the second Sunday in February. What I do: I tell my husband (who is Norwegian) what would make me happy on Mothers’ Day. Again, when you move to Norway you learn to take an active role and say/ask what you need (at work, at home, at public services, at the doctor’s office, at the hospital, etc).
I recently missed my grandmother. She passed away a week ago. It’s hard to lose someone so meaningful and loved. What makes me feel better is to remember that I have given her so much love and attention. I was lucky enough to say goodbye by Christmas last year. But that’s a story for another post.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
What’s your opinion? How do you celebrate Mothers’ Day?