Family Dynamics?

I think it is sad that people get so emotional over one day (be it a birthday, Mother's Day, Valentines...whatever). A gift, a card, flowers don't mean anything...it's the day to day stuff that counts. Stop putting so much meaning and emphasis on "your expectations" and be happy. Life and children are about so much more than a moment...and being a parent is about the hug you get when you least expect it, or the happiness of watching your kid screw up his lines at the school play. Stop expecting anything and enjoy whatever the day brings...even if it is only time spent with your family.

I'm sorry your family is neglectful:( And maybe selfish and inconsiderate:( What is your friend situation looking like? Are you able to talk about this with them? Maybe you can ask a close friend to help you celebrate special occasions as a mother? It doesn't sound like your family is very receptive to hearing about how to better support you, but maybe you can tell them what your needs are instead of asking for them. If they can't oblige, then, well, maybe you need to spend time alone with your son on days like mothers day so you can cherish the memory of celebrating being a mother in a way that feels good.

IF you are going to send yourself flowers, send them FROM yourself! Be the friend to you that you want others to be and tell yourself why you are doing such a great job with all of the challenges that come with being a single parent. Write yourself a letter and actually mail it to yourself in a nice card even if it isn't mothers day! One day, others will catch up. But until then, remind yourself that you are strong and doing fabulous and patting yourself on the back is absolutely earned! Live with pride that doesn't require selfish family members to validate you and live with pride that only requires seeing your beautiful baby smile at you:) Isn't that smile the best after a long and stressful day??? You have your own new family now, single or not, and celebrating yourself will help your son learn to celebrate himself....yay self confidence! It's not conceit if you also celebrate others I've decided:)

Hang in there mama! You are doing fabulous and have the TOUGHEST job ever and you are doing it! You are succeeding at the TOUGHEST job ever of being a single mama! Celebrate that and leave folks who can't or won't celebrate your achievements to focus on their own things without bringing you down. I think that's fair???

PS
Your mother sounds like a peach;)

I was a single mom. I never received a mother's day gift from my daughter...even though I always took her shopping for a father's day gift for my ex. When she was older...still nothing...she is an adult...still nothing. Our every day relationship has ups and downs, but I would still describe us as being close. It is very hurtful that this particular day does not inspire her to express that in some small way. I say give your son some money to buy you a gift and tell his father to take him shopping for a mother's day gift. If your ex won't take him, ask a friend or relative to do it. If it's important to you, he needs to learn it. And no, I don't think you are wrong. Mother's Day is very hard when you are a single mom even though you really need the recognition when you are a single mom. There is no one there supporting you day to day and saying "I think you handled that well" or "that was a really good idea". A little recognition is very, very meaningful for a single mom.

There is so much beauty in every day that I don't think we should get upset if others don't recognize things in a formal way like we wish they would. Hey, feeling disapointed is valid, but you are still upset about something that didn't happen 7 months ago.
I'm a single mom. I raised two kids by myself. I always made sure they did something for Father's Day. Was it reciprocated by dad? Nope.
However, my children witnessed my generosity and they found ways to do special things for me with our without outside help.
I'm pretty sentimental. I can't tell you how it melted me when my son brought me "flowers". In truth, it was a clump of dandelions he'd yanked out of the yard and the dirt clods were still attached to the dangling roots.
I told him they were the most beautiful flowers I'd ever seen.
And they were.
I had a broken leg a couple years ago and I was feeling badly that I couldn't drive with a broken right leg and when Christmas rolled around, I was so worried how I would pull anything off.
My son surprised me by getting our artificial tree out of the garage and decorating it by himself. He also put lights on the porch. He wanted to make things pretty for me.
It's little things like that that make you know you are loved. Your son is little now, but give him time. He will do things to show he adores you. In the meantime, you can't expect other people to do things on your son's behalf.
It would be nice if dad did it and helped him, but like I said, my ex liked getting his stuff and it never crossed his mind to reciprocate.
It wasn't lost on my son. He saw what I did for others and somehow knew that once in a while it was my turn.
The surprises we don't expect are the best, believe me.
I don't get worked up over things being on a certain day. Gosh, there's secretary day, boss day, best friend day, Mother's day...I don't get offended if I don't get something on every day for all the hats I've worn.
Why send flowers to yourself with your son's name on them? Will that make you feel better? Really?
Why not get some dirt and a pot and some seeds and help your son grow you some flowers?
I dont' mean any offense. I am a very caring and thoughtful person and I don't always get that in return in the same level that I give. But, I wouldn't be me any other way and giving makes me feel good about myself. I've taught my son to be caring and giving regardless of what he gets in return.
Your son is little yet, but you can set a good example instead of feeling bitter.
Don't wait for someone else to give to you. Give to yourself. Not with someone else's name attached. Make your own celebration and genuinely be glad you have the choice to do so.
Many, many people will touch your life. That's a beautiful thing. Try not to get into comparing who does what or when. I don't know why, but for me, it's usually people I would never expect to care for me so much that touch me the most. Coworkers, clients, some random person offering to help me at the grocery store when I was struggling with crutches.
If you look really closely, these little acts of kindness can get you through every day not to mention the whole year. I am thankful that they don't have to be confined to a certain day or celebrated event.

Best wishes.

I know some people say, "every day is important, who cares if they forget mother''s day!'... but I don't agree with that. Of cousre I love hugs and time with my family, but when they choose to forget you on a generally celebrated day, it is hurtful.

I am a confident woman, but it is nice to be remembered and shown extra appreciation one day a year... is that so much to ask?

Now, as a single mom with a family that isn't concerned about these types of holidays, all you can really do is teach your child to appreciate people. That means you encourage him to do something special on Father's Day, Grandparent's Day... set the precedent and when he hears Mother's Day is coming around, he will eventually pick it up on his own when he is older. But for now, you just have to deal with it. Spend time with your family and don't expect anything from them and try not to take it too personally.

My mom gets really uptight if we don't do enough for her on Mother's day... she doesn't realize that us spending time with her and taking her to brunch is her Mother's day gift. I know some men forget their wives who are the mother of their children, but remember to send flowers to their own mom's... so everyone is going to have a different view on this.