Whether you think of this day as another reason for excessive consumerism or like me, a really good excuse to use it to milk it for all it’s worth – Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Call me selfish but I’ve done a really good job of marketing it to my family – especially the husband. “How important it is to look after each other, respect family members and not take each other for granted,” (yes, I know the same will apply come Father’s Day) but for a single day, it can be all about ME. My request for breakfast in bed is already noted: crumpet thickly spread with a cholesterol-alert level of butter; a good dollop of the very best strawberry jam, tea (china cup) and a good, trashy mag. Please do not disturb until milky coffee mid-morning. I intend to be left in bed ignoring the job lists and demands of ‘mum’. I truly hope for a surprise manicure, facial or anything which involves my tired, older-than-they-used-to-be body parts being pampered and smoothed.

Sadly my own mother lives too far away to be ‘lunched’ but she’s not the sort to expect it either. She insisted that my first mothers’ day was spent being indulged by my own family unit – she reminded me that she had my dad to pamper her as a mother so they could work the day out together.

Yet why do so many of my friends go through the guilty onslaught of cooking for/entertaining their own mother (acceptable) or mum in-law (worse)? Go ahead if it’s something you genuinely want to do and enjoy doing, but let’s try not to wear that old shroud of guilt in thinking it’s something we ‘should’ do or Mother’s day becomes just another day to stress over. Again.

I’m going to spend Mother’s Day catching up on Facebook nosing around all ‘my friends’, googling fabulous websites, reading magazines, cuddling my children and maybe a walk. I don’t expect chocolates, presents (maybe a handmade card from the kids) and I doubt someone will prepare a lavish roast dinner but no one around me will feel bad for not doing so. I can chill, be selfish and rest assured; I will not be wearing a stitch of guilt all day......