Mother's Day

Ashwini Ramaswamy (left) and Aparna Ramaswamy perform <em>Fires of Varanasi</em> at the Joyce Theater in New York City.

How a mother and her daughters created an innovative Indian dance company

7:00am May 14, 2023

by Marianne Combs

Ragamala Dance Company is the life work of Ranee Ramaswamy — and now her adult daughters, Aparna and Ashwini. Creative work can be lonely, Aparna says, and having "built-in companions" is a gift.

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A mother and son walk hand in hand down a pathway, facing away from the camera.

Arts

'Mama's boy' is a flex, not an insult, for a new generation of men

1:38pm May 07, 2022

by Neda Ulaby

For eons, the term "mama's boy" was widely viewed as an emasculating insult. But numerous men are challenging such inherent misogyny and publicly embracing their identities as proud "mama's boys."

A buyer shops for flowers at the Southern California Flower Market on Feb. 12, 2021, in Los Angeles.

Mother's Day can be painful. These strategies might help

9:00am May 07, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Mother's Day can be a painful time, especially for people living with loss. Author Rebecca Soffer shares ideas for how to care for yourself or loved ones on a difficult day.

Runaway Bunny, Horton Hatches The Egg and Happy Dreams, Little Bunny are three examples of how writers have portrayed moms to young readers.

Books
Arts

From stalkers to saints, moms run the gamut in kids' books

7:00am May 07, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

Children's books depict a range of maternal styles. For this Mother's Day, we asked some experts to weigh in on some classics and offer recommendations.

In a year where loss, grief, technology and identity have been at the forefront of the national conversation, the budding trend of email opt-outs are for many both a welcome change and a sign of what may lie ahead.

National

In A Grief-Filled Year, Brands From Etsy To Pandora Let You Skip Mother's Day Emails

7:00am May 07, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

The small but growing trend is seen as a welcome acknowledgement of people who are grieving, as well as a sign that email marketing is becoming increasingly personalized and socially conscious.

A French omelet, unlike its diner-style counterpart, is rolled, not folded, and include very little filling like vegetables and meats.

For Mother's Day, Roll Up A French-Style Omelet As A Way To Say 'I Love You'

5:03am May 07, 2021

by Noel King

Jack Bishop of America's Test Kitchen describes the French omelet as "a nice way of saying 'Mom, Happy Mother's Day. I love you." It's an elegant alternative to its folded diner-style counterpart.

Perhaps It's Time To Celebrate A Day In Honor Of Caregivers

8:05pm May 08, 2016

by Michel Martin

Caregiving for family members is an essential and difficult job, especially with the number of Americans 65 and older projected to double by 2060. So, NPR's Michel Martin proposes a new holiday.

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A cute, stuffed children's bunny rabbit toy wearing a striped onesie sitting down against a plain background. Vintage photo style (wet place, monochrome) image with great copy space.

National

Revisiting A Mother's Day Story Of Separation

5:55pm May 08, 2016

by NPR Staff

For Mother's Day in 2007, Michel Martin interviewed Cheryl Coleman, who was searching for her son. Since then, she's found him — but says she's spending this year's Mother's Day without him again.

In Nigeria, moms teach their children to address older women as "Ma" or "Auntie" as a sign of respect.

Moms Around The World Teach Their Kids A Lot Of Cool Rules

8:18am May 08, 2016

by Vicky Hallett

Global mothers give special wisdom depending where they live. What do you call your elders? Do you know how to gather firewood? What's the family password?

The author at age 3 with her mother Brenda, in 1986.

On Mother's Day, Mourning The Mom My Baby Will Never Know

5:00am May 08, 2016

by Kendra Snyder

I watched my mother disappear bit by bit as cancer destroyed her brain. I don't know if she heard me when I said I was pregnant. But I still feel her love. I think our baby will, too.