Thankfully, they were able to buy a gift for both their mums, but the fact that it happened at all shows how far we still have to go. It reminds me how subtle the boundaries around belonging can be. Exclusion isn’t always the result of malice; in this case, it was about someone not considering that a different kind of family exists. And this is exactly why representation is so fundamentally important.
Over the years, mainstream Mother’s Day narratives have clung to one version of motherhood. They love to sell us a perfectly filtered Instagram grid — straight, married, selfless — always smiling with a toddler on one hip and banana bread in the oven.
But real motherhood? It comes in all kinds of shapes and forms. That narrative forgets that mums can be queer, trans, solo, co-parenting, questioning everything, or simply doing their best not to lose the plot before bedtime. It’s not about fitting a mould; it’s about showing up with love, honesty and a sense of humour.
This Mother’s Day brought something into focus for me.
Coming out as a lesbian later in life changed everything in the most unexpected, beautiful and at times brutally honest ways. It made me see motherhood not just as being a caretaker or provider, but as a woman leading by example.
It made me ask myself: Am I showing my kids what it means to live truthfully? Am I modelling self-respect, courage, and what it looks like to choose authenticity over comfort? I used to think being a “good mum” meant keeping it all together and fitting into the safe, expected boxes — even when they didn’t fit me. But now I know that sometimes, being a good mum means tearing up the old blueprint and building something more real.
My kids don’t need me to be perfect. They just need me to show up — and that includes showing up for myself, even when it’s not the version people expect. That’s why being seen, especially on days like Mother’s Day, matters so much.
Representation hasn’t always come easily for families like mine, which is exactly what makes it so powerful. This Mother’s Day, I felt a subtle but meaningful shift. It wasn’t a complete overhaul, but there was a clear move towards a celebration that genuinely tried to honour motherhood in all its forms and reflect the diverse realities of modern parenting.
Being part of the Moonpig x Rainbow Families campaign this year reminded me that visibility matters. Inclusion isn’t just nice — it’s vital. Our kids are watching, and they notice who gets celebrated and who doesn’t. When they see their family reflected on a card, in the classroom or in a brand campaign, it sends a powerful message: their family is valid, seen and worth celebrating.
It doesn’t take much to make a difference. A checkbox for two mums. A card that says “Happy Mothers’ Day.” A teacher asking, “What does your family celebrate?” These are small things, but they have a big impact on helping children feel validated. Inclusivity isn’t about ticking a box or chasing a buzzword. It’s a responsibility — to make sure everyone feels seen and celebrated, and to push people to think beyond their own norm.
So, beyond Mother’s Day, I hope we keep expanding the frame. Let’s build celebrations that reflect the world we actually live in. Mother’s Days that embrace mums in all their forms. Families are beautifully varied — and every parent and child deserves to see themselves.
Petria Leggo-Field is the QLD State Coordinator at Rainbow Families.
