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by Lisa Smith

Written by Lisa Smith

Moms deserve a special day all to themselves. Being a mom myself, I am probably biased, but…I believe that being a mother is the most difficult thing a woman can do & the accomplishment is something to be celebrated!

The origins of Mother’s Day have roots in the 1600s. Mothering Day as it was called in England, became an especially compassionate holiday toward the working class women. On the Sunday of Lent, servants and trade workers were allowed to travel back to their towns of origin to visit their families. Mothering Day also provided a one-day reprieve from the fasting and penance of Lent so that families across England could enjoy a sumptuous family feast — Mother was the guest of honor. Mothers were presented with cakes and flowers, as well as a visit from their beloved and distant children.

Argentina: During Día de la madre, young children gather their mothers together and read them poetry.

Japan: On haha no hi, families prepare traditional dishes that their mothers taught them to cook. The Japanese give their Mothers flowers (especially red carnations), scarves, handkerchiefs and handbags.

United Kingdom: The Mother’s day traditions include a gift of violet and the customary Simnel Cake, a glazed fruitcake inspired by a folk tale about a married couple, Simon and Nell. So the story goes, this pair could not decide bake or broil a cake. So in the end they did both. Thus Simnel Cake was born.

Finland: Mother’s Day is called aidipayiva and in the morning the family takes a walk, picks new flowers and makes a bouquet for their mother. A particular flower called the valkovuokko is favored. Mom is then presented with a decorated bouquet, while also being served breakfast in bed.

Sweden: Mother’s Day takes a charitable course; the Swedish Red Cross sells small plastic flowers leading up to the holiday, and the proceeds raised are given to poor mothers and their children.

This year to celebrate our wonderful Mothers in a new and different way, perhaps we can adopt a few of the unique customs that are celebrated around the world. Read a poem to your mom, bake a cake, serve her breakfast in bed, or make a charitable donation in her name. Take it from someone who knows, she will appreciate the originality and thought that is put into making Mother’s Day such a special and wonderful day of celebration!

Lisa Smith has a BA in Psychology & is the Owner/CEO of Regionz Kidz, a multi-cultural infant & toddler clothing line featuring ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on her website http://www.regionzkidz.com that discusses cultural diversity & children & is a frequent guest blogger on other blogs and websites regarding parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.

By Lindsay Kaplan- Associate Publicist

I was once an English major. I know. Hard to believe.

In the sweet days of my youth I foolishly decided I would waltz into New York upon graduation, diploma in hand, and land a career in Publishing. My naïveté was as common as my resumé, which is to say laughable and extremely unimpressive. Yet I thought that if I could manage to get a foot in the door, I would talk my way into a career at a prestigious house.

I did.

But most undergrads out there lack my charm, sass, and willingness to blackmail. After all, that was way back in 2006, back when an assistant like myself had to walk to Madison Avenue uphill both ways.

Times have changed. Nowadays, an impressive internship is more important than an ordinary sheepskin. Publishing is a hard industry to crack without the right connections. That’s why I’ve decided to organize a publicity internship program starting in January.

If you or someone you know is a student in New York and want to put Oxford University Press on your resume this spring, read on. If not, skip right down to the comments and tell us all about your internship horror stories! (more…)

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