The 3-Minute Mother's Day Moment I Didn’t Know I Needed

To all Mothers reading this: I celebrate you. I see you. I feel you. I am you.What an extraordinary, instant, unspoken kinship. One we are initiated into (not so simply) by bringing a child into the world.

Today, I want to talk to the dads, partners, and co-parents. 

Every Mother's Day, my family follows a sweet ritual: I stay in bed while my husband and children prepare breakfast and a latte.

My daughter Nora always adds her touch with a handmade card and a handpicked bouquet.

This year, my husband not only orchestrated this special treatment but also guided a meaningful conversation. He shared what he appreciates about my mothering and then prompted Nora with thoughtful questions:

• If mommy had a superpower, what would it be and why?

• What's one invisible thing mom does that makes you feel safe or loved?

• What's something mom does that you don't always like, but know is good for you?

Nora chose the last question, hesitantly admitting:I don't like that you make me eat healthy and don't let me watch whatever I want. But I know you do it because you love me and it's good for me.

I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that until she said it. It was so affirming, especially when the daily resistance can be so loud. This one moment might’ve just rebooted me for the year ahead.

So to the dads, partners, and co-parents: consider this your invitation to help your kids reflect on the care they receive. Encourage them to voice it, especially the parts that often go unseen. These moments matter more than you know.

With gratitude to my husband for this gift, and support to all the mamas doing all the hard things,

—Amna

P.S. While all of this was happening, my 4-year-old was zooming monster trucks across the bed, insisting I play with him, interrupting every heartfelt moment. Motherhood in a nutshell.