Eldest Daughter by Kristin Diversi
Eldest Daughter by Kristin Diversi
Writing Prompts | Reflections & Meditation for Mother's Day
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Writing Prompts | Reflections & Meditation for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is complicated. This is for us.

*note: Please forgive the background noise in the meditation. My own Mother’s Day morning is a bit chaotic.

Mother’s Day.

I won’t say, “happy,” and I won’t congratulate you, here.

I said in my post yesterday:

We are all mothers, regardless of sex or biology. We can mother friends, friend’s children, neighbor’s children, siblings, ideas, movements, pets, plants, books, love, neighbors.

But that doesn’t make the reality of this day any less for those of us who are dealing with trauma around:

  • Being or not being mothers

  • Being parentified children (eldest daughters, HI)

  • Not having the familial relationship or mother-relationship we wanted

  • Being the stepmother that pours their heart in but receives little back

  • Bereaved mothers, mothers whose babies never made it earthside

  • Mothers by heart and not by birth

  • Women who longed to mother but never had a child

  • People who raised nieces, godchildren, or students

  • Those who chose not to parent, but live in devotion and care

  • The ones who carry mothering energy, whether or not they were ever called “mom”

This day brings up a lot. For us, a lot of days that are meant to be “special,” are double-edged swords.

We get cut up a lot, huh?

Writing Prompts or Reflections

1. Body

How is your body feeling today: Tender, tired, tense, calm? Are you holding anything physically that might be connected to this day?

Take a moment to scan yourself gently: Jaw, chest, gut, hands.

What’s there?

2. Heart

What emotions are rising for you today: Grief, gratitude, numbness, love, longing, resistance, resentment, joy?

Let yourself name all of it. You don’t need to choose just one. They can all live together.

3. Mind

What stories or thoughts are circling your mind this morning? Are there expectations, memories, or scripts from the past showing up today?

Is your mind clear, cloudy, sharp, or somewhere in between?

4. Energy

Where is your energy flowing, or not?

Does today ask something of you?

Are you preserving your energy or choosing to spend it in any specific way?

5. Spirit / Intuition

What do you know in your gut about today?

What do you need in order to feel safe, grounded, or seen? Even just a little?

6. Intention

If you could carry one gentle truth with you today, what would it be?

To all the non-traditional mothers.

The mothers who lost children.

The mothers who never had children.

The ones who raised children who are no longer in their lives.

The women who longed to mother and couldn’t.

The ones who didn’t want to and don’t regret it.

The ones who are mothering now in complicated, quiet, and beautiful ways.

I see you.

I honor you.

You belong.

Thanks for reading Eldest Daughter by Kristin Diversi. I am grateful to you. If you’re moved to share this piece, it would mean the world to me.

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