A day for special people

To celebrate all mothers, even if they are not our birth mothers.

by Hayley Kearns

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To celebrate all mothers, even if they are not our birth mothers.

Preparation and materials

• None required.

Assembly

1. Ask children what mums they know from books and films. Discuss their qualities. What qualities are linked to being a mum?
   
   Tell children that assembly is not the time for any personal stories, but if anyone wants to talk to their teacher about their mum, they can do after the assembly (check with class teachers).
2. Ask the children for all the qualities that make a perfect mum. Children will talk about caring, kindness etc. . . .

   
   Ask the children if it is possible to find all the qualities listed in one woman. Discuss how amazing mothers are. They feed us, care for use, clothe us, listen to us, etc.
   
   (Some children might talk of children in films whose mothers are not so positive. This issue might need to be explored at another time in a non-assembly context. Most schools have pastoral support within a school.)

3. Some children may not have a mother at home – but someone else does the things that we’re thinking about today – it could be your dad, his partner, a granny or granddad, or someone else . . . but we each have someone who cares for us.
4. Read children the following passage from the Bible:

   ‘As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience’ (Colossians 3.12–17).

5. No mother is perfect, just as you can never be perfect children all the time.
6. Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday as it is traditionally called, gives us a chance to thank our mothers or carers for being just the person they are, and for loving and caring for us.
7. Some Christians have described God as ‘mother’ because God really does love us and do all the things we expect a perfect mum or carer to do.

Time for reflection

Ask children to think about whoever at home takes this caring role (music can be played in the background, see suggestions below).

Prayer
Today we give thanks for all our mums and carers.
Let’s ask God to bless them every day,
And help us to love them in return.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Thank you, Lord’ (Come and Praise, 32)

All widely available to download:

‘Thinking of You’, Lenny Kravitz

‘A Mother’s Prayer’, Celine Dion

‘A Mother’s Love’, Diana Ross

‘Teach Your Children’ Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

‘Mother and Child Reunion’, Paul Simon