As we approach May 9th

Mother's Day is not a celebration for many people. Trauma, grief, disappointment, and anger are common emotions to feel for many.

Please don't go around asking casually how they celebrated Mother's Day.

I say this from professional experience: have worked with 100s of kids who were mistreated and abused by their mothers. Not "oh they had fights," abuse so horrific I can't bear to write it.

I say this from personal experience: I feel a zillion conflicted emotions when thinking about my own mother in this first may since she's passed away.

So my strongest advice: celebrate this day personally. If you have had a mother worth celebrating and want to share, share. But please don't go wishing those around you happy mother's days unless you know them really well.