With physical distancing measures in place and many businesses closed, Covid-19 has forced many people to get creative when it comes to celebrating milestones like birthdays and anniversaries, and Mother’s Day is no different. This year is so very different from the last. 2020 has been like no year any of us has ever experienced, but what has challenged us in so many ways is also what has united us.
It’s been wonderful to see neighbours on Nextdoor helping mums in their community, whether that’s a Nextdoor Group for Schooling Kids At Home, virtual tutorials of fun things to do with kids like magic lessons and art challenges, or fun activities like the Teddy Bear Hunt through Australian neighbourhoods. It’s also important to remember that many mums are essential workers or in the high-risk group, which makes their situation even more challenging.
For me personally, working full time while managing three young children at home has certainly presented new challenges. It’s safe to say they’ve all appeared in conference calls many times in the last few weeks! In addition, with my parents and siblings living overseas, regular video chats have been a lifesaver.
Nextdoor members are constantly offering help to one another, and we’ve only seen this increase during Covid-19. In honour of Mother’s Day, we’d like to highlight some of the incredible things mums are doing on Nextdoor.
Ali from Melbourne recently arranged a drive-by beep-a-thon parade for her daughter’s 21st, where dozens of people from the neighbourhood drove by with balloons and gifts to help her celebrate. What a Mum!
Then there’s Noora Al Mator from Canberra, who is cooking up a big storm in the kitchen for those around her who need help with food during this trying time. Noora says that her kitchen is a central meeting point in her house that brings people together so she combined two of her passions, her family and food to offer help to neighbours in need.
Whilst preschool has been shut down, Noora and her 4-year old daughter have opened up their Middle Eastern cookbooks and made delicious home cooked meals and treats. She used Nextdoor to find neighbours in need and has been doing food drops-offs and also leaving dishes on her porch for pick up.
Jamilla loves cooking with me. It’s really hard to do anything without her at the moment, so we’ve been doing this together. .. She’s my first and my last. She has taken up a lot of room in my heart. It’s a beautiful thing for a mum to have a daughter. We have a lot of shared interests. ”
She says that at times it is “Overwhelming to be a Mum, but also such a blessing and a joy”. Asked about her own mother she gushed, saying, “She is a beautiful mum who always supported us so well. She is just an amazing woman. No matter how old you get, your Mum will always be your Mum”
Listen to Noora her on Triple 6 ABC Canberra talking about her pop-up community kitchen .
Renee Tapa is in Warner, Queensland and has also been super busy with her three daughters and her Mum during this time. They’ve been making care packs for frontline workers and have been sourcing via nextdoor!
The three generations have now made up to 700 care packs for those who need support and to give thanks to teachers, paramedics, doctors nurses, pharmacy workers and more. The gift packs include cards with drawings from the local kids and a piece of handmade jewellery or a mug with a ‘Thank you’ note.
Renee says, “It’s been an amazing way to teach my kids about giving back in times of need and a great way for my mum and I to focus on positivity during these hard times”
Of Mother’s Day, Renee says that, “It’s a day that I can show appreciation to my mum, a celebration of the reason that made me a mother and starting a tradition with my kid to carry on to their kids. I have a very special bond with my mum and with my children”
Renee is looking forward to Sunday Morning “spent with breakfast in bed with my kids” And for her own Mum? “I have a surprise graze pack I’m getting delivered to her place that feeds up to 6, nice bubbles and nibbles for her to kick back and enjoy.”
Sometimes support is exactly what mums need, and Relationships Australia (NSW) uses Nextdoor’s platform for public services and NGOs to communicate with members. Besides offering advice and reminding members of their telephone counseling services, RA recently asked people to share how they are celebrating Mother’s Day. The responses included countless creative ideas and great advice for those looking for new ways to celebrate with their loved ones.
We hope you have a lovely day with your family, while remembering to follow the current rules and restrictions updated daily by the Department of Health.
From our Nextdoor family to yours, enjoy Mother’s Day.
I love this !
Happy mothers day to all mothers, grandmothers two. Hope you have a good day on Sunday
Such inspiring women.
Happy mother’s day