Episode 70: Dana Baltutis (Speech Pathologist and Parent Coach)- Celebrating Mother's Day: From Historical Roots to Cultural Expressions

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What if Mother's Day was never supposed to be about flowers and gifts at all? This special episode reveals the forgotten origins of Mother's Day in Australian hospitals, where Janet Hayden collected gifts for lonely mothers who had lost children to war—a far cry from today's commercial celebrations.

Beyond the greeting cards lies a profound truth: motherhood carries both extraordinary power and invisible weight. With over 6.5 million mothers in Australia—one in six raising children alone and one in three families navigating developmental needs—the statistics tell only part of the story. Each number represents real women making countless unseen sacrifices daily.

The biological toll of parenting is rarely discussed but critically important. Chronic stress literally changes cellular function, with parents of children with disabilities facing significantly higher risks of depression and burnout. This is why self-care isn't selfish—it's survival. Speaking kindly to yourself, resting without guilt, and asking for help before breaking aren't luxuries but necessities that allow you to show up fully for your children.

We journey across cultures to witness the beautiful diversity of mothering: Indian mothers balancing multiple roles while honoring traditions, Nepali mothers nurturing with quiet dignity, Chinese mothers sacrificing for their children's futures, African communities sharing mothering responsibilities, and First Nations mothers preserving cultural wisdom across generations. Each expression carries its own wisdom and strength.

Motherhood extends beyond birth. Some mother through adoption, like my own mother who chose me. Some mother in classrooms or therapy rooms. Some mother through grief after loss. Your presence today—how you speak to yourself, honor your needs, set boundaries—creates ripples through generations. When you break negative cycles, your child gains freedom to do the same.

Ready to transform your parenting journey? The Empowered Parent Program helps you shift from self-doubt to self-worth, creating lasting change not just for yourself but for generations to come. Because your love, though sometimes unseen, shapes your child's entire sense of safety in the world.

danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services