Mother’s Day Canada | Memories of My Immigrant Experience

Mother’s Day in Canada is around the corner, and it’s a beautiful time to celebrate the moms in your life, including grandmothers, stepmoms, and family friends! It’s a day to send wishes and to show gratitude and honour. It’s even more meaningful for immigrant moms, as are my special memories celebrating my first Mother’s Day in Canada!

When is Mother’s Day?

This year, it’s on Sunday, May 11, 2025! It always falls on the second Sunday of May. It’s not a public or statutory holiday where people get time off work, but it became an official celebration in 1915, and Canadians have since celebrated this special day.

The celebration goes back to 1907 when American school teacher Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother’s Day in honour of her late mother. 

My Fond Experience

Immigrant parents do not have it easy, especially once their children start school in Canada. Trying to figure out the school system and learning school rules, both spoken and unspoken, helping their children with homework, and trying to make their friends welcome at home. All this adds to the challenges of the first few years of getting settled in Canada.

Not all countries celebrate Mother’s Day, and they celebrate it differently. I came from Europe, and the most similar holiday was International Women’s Day on March 8th. On this day, children present their mothers with flowers and cards.

Memories of My First Mother’s Day in Canada

When I immigrated to Canada 15 years ago, my children started their first school year. I was overwhelmed with school and social requirements, parent responsibilities, helping my kids get through each day, and trying to make their transition to the new country as smooth as possible.

How wonderful and sweet was my first Mother’s Day! My children made beautiful cards for me and attempted to make a special breakfast too. I was very touched, as any mom would be.

There have been many celebrations since then. My children have grown up, so now we spend the holiday doing something special together. We’ll hike, visit the art gallery, or picnic on one of Vancouver’s beaches, weather permitting. They still make beautiful cards for me, which I treasure. 

As a daughter, I adopted this tradition, and every Mother’s Day, I spend special time on Skype with my mother, who lives in Europe. My mother thinks this is the kindest tradition reflecting Canadian culture and the importance of family ties.

Canadian Mother’s Day Traditions

Over thousands of years, many traditional celebrations of mothers and motherhood have existed. In Canada, children create handmade gifts and cards, present their mothers with flowers, and make a special breakfast. They start learning about Mother’s Day in kindergarten when teachers help them make gifts and discuss ways to celebrate.

Children in Canada usually call their mothers: Mom or Mum, and both spellings are correct. The American version of “Mom” is predominant, but the British version “Mum”, is common too. And of course, there are Mama, Maman, Mommy, and Mumzee, all the variations reflecting Canadian diversity.

Grown children spend quality time together with their mothers to make this day special. There is no one-size-fits-all recipe, everything depends on family traditions.

Wishes to Immigrant Moms

For immigrant mothers, this celebration has one more meaning. As an immigrant mom, it can be a challenge. Being part of this celebration reflects that you are successfully integrating into life in Canada, its traditions, and society. That is certainly a great feeling! 

Wishing Happy Mother’s Day to all moms! And, if this is your first celebration in Canada, enjoy this beautiful tradition. Create special memories with your children and the moms in your life to treasure forever.