Celebrating moms

Buzz Baby is a column about life with little ones. Writer Annie McQueen is a mother of four children under the age of 8.

A multi-generational Mother’s Day celebration is a gift – celebrating being a mother, with your own mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, any mom figure in your life, sweetens the special day.

Mom-of-five Lindsay Eagleton reflects on the women in her family that they celebrate each year on Mother’s Day. Lindsay married her childhood friend-turned-sweetheart, Chris Eagleton. They were both raised in St. Louis, MO, and met the summer before fifth grade. They moved to many places for Chris’s medical school and doctorate residency including Grenada in the West Indies, New York, and Boston. 

The couple moved to Houston in 2017 where Chris is now a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist. The couple’s five children are Eloise, 10, Peter, 7, Beatrice, 4, and newborn twins Alice and Bridger, 5 months. 

Lindsay has a tight-knit, large family, and she says Mother’s Day to her means taking time to show appreciation and love for all the generations of moms, even from afar. They celebrate her mother Jane Haffner, her mother-in-law, Annette Mandel (who both live in St. Louis), and her three sisters. 

She says it is also a time to reflect on what she is thankful for from her childhood – and what her mother instilled in her that she carries to this day. “My mother set an example of unconditional love,” says Lindsay. “I am so lucky to say that no matter what, my mom will always be there for me, and now that I am married and have in-laws, I know Chris’ mom will be there too.”

Lindsay and Chris recently welcomed their 5-month-old twins; she says learning they had twins on the way was a fun and shocking surprise. Her goal as a mother of five is to communicate the same sentiment to their children that her mother gave to her. “I always say to my children, ‘No matter what, Mommy always loves you and will be here for you,’” says Lindsay. 

They have an annual tradition to honor their moms – even though physical distance often separates them on the actual day, they do not let it stop them from recognizing the importance of the day. “We go around and write down on a piece of paper what we are thankful for,” says Lindsay. She purchases Mother’s Day cards and has the kids sign them with special notes and mails the cards so they arrive in time for Mother’s Day. They also plan a special Facetime session with all the children, so they can see them from afar. They look forward to the many visits Lindsay’s mom and mother-in-law take to Houston as well. 

Lindsay says her own Mother’s Day celebration is all about relaxing. Her day starts each year with Chris and their children at home – a treat since he is often on call. “We celebrate by Chris and the kids letting me sleep in,” says Lindsay. 

Lindsay enjoys a slower morning, as they make breakfast. “The day isn’t super fancy, but it is special to all be together and not running in a million directions,” she says. 

Lindsay reflected on her first Mother’s Day when she was able to celebrate becoming a mother. They were living in Brooklyn, NY at the time. “It was a special Mother’s Day because it was the first time I was recognized as being a part of this special club of motherhood and I remember the good wishes and feeling so special and grateful,” says Lindsay.

She is looking forward to this month when she will get to celebrate Mother’s Day, her first as a mom of five. “I think this year will be a special one too since I am now a mother of five and also a twin mom,” says Lindsay. “Never did I imagine that I would have twins or have the great privilege to be a mother of five, but I absolutely love it.” All mothers – whether they have five children, one, or are a special maternal figure in someone’s life – deserve to be celebrated more than one day a year. “We can acknowledge the little things [mothers] do daily as they happen at the moment,” says Lindsay. “Mother’s Day is an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and feel grateful for all the mothers in the past, current mothers, and future mothers that decide to take on this most special of roles,” says Lindsay.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. May you be celebrated always.