Growing up in Kenya, I didn’t know Mother’s Day.

Through the media, I didn’t know until quite late – compared to my children today – that such a thing existed. Neither for us, 20 children, nor for our mother (11 children) and stepmother (9 children) this was an issue.

Because every day was Mother’s Day, with all the beautiful and bad moments.

Childlessness was a women’s problem at that time; Having children too – Fortunately, a lot is changing.

It wasn’t until I came to Germany at the age of 22 that I realized that Mother’s Day is important for many here. With an average of 1.4 children, it must also be something special – I thought to myself. A day in honour of motherhood.

A special Sunday that I didn’t see until my children came from kindergarten with presents.

I only learned later that there are people who consciously do not want to be a mother/parents.

I also learned through my friends that there are also many cases where the desire to be a mother/parent remains unfulfilled. These stories made me sad – while it was natural for me: my mother, my stepmother, my sister – all had children.

And exactly when everything is so self-evident, it is worthwhile to consciously focus on those who, for some reason, are not allowed to/cannot be mothers/parents.

According to the BMFSFJ: “In Germany, almost one in ten couples between the ages of 25 and 59 is involuntarily childless.”

These experiences make me more sensitive when I also want to ask the question: “Do you also have children?”

Mother’s Day. I don’t begrudge you the honor.

For my part, I use this day to think especially of those who are unintentionally or intentionally childless and who nevertheless somehow ensure that our children grow up happily.

I’m thinking of everyone who experiences Mother’s Day differently, e.g. after a loss.
And I am grateful for all the surrogate parents in the world.

I am honored every day by my children. I get many great wishes for Mother’s Day from my nieces and nephews, from my numerous siblings and friends.

It is time for me to think of those who could not be, because diversity is when we constructively take into account the view of the minority.

Thank you very much for your attention, because there are circumstances in life that burden people today rather than make them happy.

What does Mother’s Day mean to you personally?