Dia de las Madres is celebrated on May 10th for those of Mexican, Salvadoran and Guatemalan descent. It is a day when family members celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, spouses and other influential women in our lives who have made a difference in who we are today. But this Sunday, May 14th, is an international holiday for all mothers in the United States.
The only thing that makes these celebrations different is the date, but regardless of that, honoring our mothers is a very important custom for almost everyone in the world. No matter whether you celebrate at home or at a fancy restaurant, both days are dedicated to showing appreciation for those who have done the same for us in a motherly way.
CALÓ NEWS spoke to mothers about what it means to them to be celebrated on this special day.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
ERIKA GONZALEZ DE JIMENEZ, 49, MONTEBELLO, SHE/HER, LATINA
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Being a mother to me means giving all of you to your children. Giving your time, love, attention, soul, and heart.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mother must be my mom; she is a strong and resilient woman who never lets anything come between her and caring for us as children. A lot of who I am is because of her.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
I am lucky to celebrate both, the first Mexican Mother’s Day on the 10th and American Mother’s Day this Sunday. As I tell my kids, you are lucky it is only 2 days because, in reality, it should be a year-round holiday.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This year, just like every year, I am happy to celebrate Mother’s Day just the way I love, surrounded by my kids and my favorite food. My kids always make sure I have the royal treatment, from making me breakfast in the morning, followed by a shopping spree with my daughters, and ending the day with a delicious dinner.
DAISY BLANCAS, 26, MONTEBELLO, RTM ASSOCIATE SHE/HER, LATINA
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Is protecting a little piece that came from you. Being a role model for them is the best feeling ever. Waking up every morning super tired and having to go to work, but knowing it’s to give your little one a better future, is the best feeling. Knowing that the love that little one has for you is unconditional and a motivation to keep going.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My Mother. She took on the father and mother roles when my father passed away from cancer. Every day, even with all the health problems that prevent her from doing much, she gets up and keeps going. She helps me with my daughter, and she is also able to perform her house chores, even though she says that most likely at night she will be going through a lot of pain and won’t be able to move. She has been pushing us to be better at many perspectives and for a better future for us.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
Well, we celebrate both, but we mainly celebrate the American. That’s when we will do something, but we will show love to our mother on the 10th and on the American one.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This Mother’s Day, we most likely will buy made food to prevent my mother from cooking, and we will be buying her a cake. Mothers from our family will be coming over, and she will hand them small gifts made by her with lots of meaning behind them to show how appreciated all mothers out in this world are.
KARISSA GARCIA, 27, BAKERSFIELD, SHE/HER, MEXICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
It means family and happiness, and unconditional love. Being a mother, seeing your little ones grow, is the most precious thing that can happen to any mother.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mother is my mom because she is the best and gives me good advice, we have become closer than ever. She is literally my best friend.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
I am celebrated in both. They celebrate me on Mexican and American Mother’s Day.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This year I will be taking my mother for breakfast at her favorite place, Norms, and then dinner. I will also be giving her a necklace that says “best mom.”
HEATHER TORRES, 41, MARKETING MANAGER, WHITTIER, HOUSEWIFE, SHE/HER, MEXICAN-AMERICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Being a mom means love. Putting my baby’s needs before mine, like putting him to sleep when I am tired. I would only do all that for my baby because I love him.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mother is not only my own mom, but also all the people who took care of me when my mom could not be around.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
We celebrate American Mother’s Day, but when my grandmother was alive, we used to celebrate both Mother’s Days.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This is my first Mother’s Day celebration. My husband asked if I would like to go out for dinner, but I told him that I would like to take some time for myself and celebrate this Mother’s Day by getting a pedicure and relaxing.
RITA MACEDO, ENROLLMENT SPECIALIST AT LANCASTER SCHOOL DISTRICT, LANCASTER, SHE/HER, MEXICAN-AMERICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Being a mother is the greatest feeling ever. My two daughters, Itzel and Ileana, have taught me how to be strong, patient, and responsible. My girls will always have my unconditional love in any type of situation or circumstance. They will always be my babies.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mother is my mom, she is my rock. She has always supported my decisions, she keeps me going. My mom is my everything.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
As a Mexican-American, I am blessed to be able to celebrate both dates.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This year we will be celebrating Mother’s Day with my mom, maybe have some carne asada, some drinks and music.
LUCIA ESTRELLA, CARSON, 70, HOUSEWIFE, SHE/HER, MEXICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
To be a mom means everything, and it is like a gift from heaven.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
I admire my mother and my daughter for being a loving and responsible mom.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
Both days.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
On Mother’s Day, we first thank God for the privilege of being mothers, and then we take a few tequilas.
ARIANA FLORES, CARSON, 40, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, SHE/HER, MEXICAN-AMERICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
It’s a big responsibility, but a responsibility that I do with love.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
I only have one favorite mother, my mom. She has always supported and loved me.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
We celebrate both days.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
For American Mother’s Day, my daughter Linette has rented a hotel room close to the beach, where we will spend the day together and relax. For Latino Mother’s Day, we were invited to have carne asada at a family reunion where all the moms are celebrated.
MELLISA MURRAY, 36, BUSINESS OWNER OF REDBOX+DUMPSTERS, LOS ANGELES, SHE/HER, MEXICAN AMERICAN
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Being a mother means being part of raising the next generation. Engraving in them values, beliefs and morals will help shape who they become. It is a great responsibility, one that I don’t take lightly. Being a mother has given me life and a purpose I didn’t know existed. The fight and thirst I have to love and protect them every day has shifted my entire existence.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
It may be cliché to say, but of course, my mom is my favorite mom. I always tell her I don’t know how she did it with five kids and made it look so easy. There’s something about old-school Mexican mothers who sacrifice their entire being to care for their babies. She never complained, and always gave us her last.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
I celebrate American Mother’s Day for myself, but Mexican Mother’s Day for my mom and grandma.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
This year, like most, it’s become a tradition to spend the day with my mom’s side of the family as an entire unit. My husband actually proposed to me on Mother’s Day years ago. My only living grandma, who we call Nina Lupe, will be the guest of honor.
WENDY RAMIREZ, 26, LA PUENTE, MANAGER, SHE/HER, HISPANIC
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
Being a mother means the world to me. I didn’t think this holiday was much of an excitement until I finally became one and knew how special this day really is.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mothers would be my sister and my own mom. My sister because she has always been a sister/mom to us. My mom, because she’s always there, 100000% whenever I need her or just in general.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
I celebrate both the Mexican and American way.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
I’m going to celebrate Mother’s Day with my twin sister by my side. It’s the first Mother’s Day since I became a mom, and she’s actually in California to be with us (she lives in Colorado). I hardly see her. Her being here while it’s moms day means the world to us.
KIMBERLY GALVAN, 24, BALDWIN PARK, SHE/HER, HISPANIC
WHAT DOES BEING A MOTHER MEAN TO YOU?
To me, being a mother means happiness and love. Some days are hard and some are easy, but it’s a gift that not all of us get.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOTHER AND WHY?
My favorite mother is my mom because I’ve learned a lot from her, like what is right and wrong.
WHICH MOTHER’S DAY DO YOU CELEBRATE? (THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY/THE LATINO 10 HOLIDAY)
I celebrate both, honestly. With my mom, I do Mexican, and with my husband, I do both.
HOW ARE YOU CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR?
I’m celebrating Mother’s Day at Knott’s Berry Farm. That’s what my husband is giving me this year.
Read more stories about this special day here.