In North America, Mother's Day falls each year on the second Sunday in May. It started in the early 20th century when one woman, Ann Jarvis set out to make it a national holiday in the U.S. It didn't take long before every state and province was honouring Mom.
Mothering Sunday in the UK has completely different origins. It's actually a Christian holiday that takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It was a day when people returned to their home or "mother" church, something considered very important to do once a year many years ago. I read once that many servants were encouraged to take the day off to return home, but this is so that they would be back at the manor in time for big Easter celebrations.
Inevitably, returning to your home church meant that you would also get to see you family. Along the roads back home, people would pick wildflowers to take to church or to their mothers. Historically, at this mid-Lent point, the rules around food were loosened so people could have a mid-Lent treat on the Sunday. Simnel cake is associated with Mothering Sunday. It's a fruit cake made with two layers of almond paste, and topped with 11 balls of marzipan icing to represent the 11 disciples (not Judas) and violets.
When we lived in England with our kids for three years when they were young, I made them celebrate both Mother's Day and Mothering Sunday. One day is definitely not enough!
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