Life with Nat - EP102: Reflecting on Mother’s Day

Episode Date: March 30, 2025

Nat chats to a listener, Auntie Linny and her daughters about Mother’s Day and the highs and lows of it. X Please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. xxx You can find us in all places here; https://podfollow.com/lifewithnat/view INSTA: @natcass1 We're also on Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/lifewithnatpod A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: [e-mail] SHOW INFO: Life with Nat - it’s me! Natalie Cassidy and I’ll be chatting away to family, friends and most importantly YOU. I want to pick people's brains on the subjects that I care about- whether that’s where all the odd socks go, weight and food or kids on phones. Each week I will be letting you into my life as i chat about my week, share my thoughts on the mundane happenings as well as the serious. I have grown up in the public eye and have never changed because of it. Life with Nat is the podcast for proper people. Come join the community. ♥️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Nicky. FX's Dying for Sex, streaming April 4th only on Disney+. Sign up now at DisneyPlus.com. Well hello everybody and welcome to Life with Nat on this Monday. I really hope that everybody had a happy Mother's Day yesterday. I've decided to talk about Mother's Day retrospectively because I had so many messages from people talking about the day, fun, joy, what they were up to, but also some messages of sadness and grief and just how difficult the day can be sometimes.

I lost my mum when I was 19 and it was a time where I was out and about and I've spoken about this on the pod before. But when you're a late teenager, you're not really thinking about your mum, unfortunately. And I lost her quite suddenly. And I've carried a lot of guilt really about the fact that I wasn't there, wasn't there for her and didn't spend the time I should have with her. But my brothers always say they were the same at that age and they got to come back because they were older. So I've kind of

forgiven myself if you like, but the days for me don't get any easier. You just learn to live with it. Because as you get older and you have children, you meet the man of your dreams, you think, oh, I wish I could ring my mum. Or I wish I could go to Marx's and have a cup of coffee and walk around. You see lots of people with prams with their mums. I wouldn't even want a childcare offer if their mums or I won't even want childcare

offer if she was here. I won't even want that. But it would be lovely to share a cup of tea, have a little walk around, pop to the park with the kids, you know, when they were smaller. So they're the things that I miss really. And to be able to spoil her as she got older, she would be, what would she be now, 81? I think 81, 82. Yeah, so she would be elderly now, you know, but it would have been lovely to have her around for Sunday lunch yesterday and treat her, you know, and I am a carer and a giver and I like treating people.

So not to put a downer on the Monday morning, but I think it's important to talk. And one of the people that messaged me was Manda. And Manda sent me a message as her mum has a terminal illness and she said she was going to find the day really hard and she wanted me to touch on the fact that, you know, people are going for a hard time. So I thought we'd give her a ring and have a little chat. Now I've texted this morning to say, are you ready for the call? And she did say she's a little bit nervous and I said, you haven't got to be nervous. She's just talking to Nat. So let's phone her and let's see how she is. Hello.

Hi, Amanda. Hello, nice to hear you. Nice to hear you too, darling. How are you getting ready for the cinema? Yes, we're off to see Snow White this afternoon. That is lovely. Thank you so much for squeezing me in this morning. Thank you for having me. Well, I've just introduced you and had a little chat about Mother's Day. Okay.

And you gave me sort of the inspiration for this episode because you said it's a really difficult time for some people and am I going to touch on losing my mum and what have you. So I just thought it would be nice if you're okay with it to just have a chat about your situation and where you are and how you're feeling really. Yeah it is hard isn't it? You don't realize I think as you get older you seem to pick up on these sort of things as your life goes on and you experience different things. You realize actually these times not just Mother's Day but other things that we celebrate like Father's Day as well. Yes, yeah.

It is difficult for, you know, other people, isn't it? You don't realise. And actually on the other end of it as well, like people that perhaps have lost their children, I sort of work in the community, so I see that side of it sometimes as well, which you don't always think about, I guess, as well. No, I think you're right. And I think all of these days, even festivals, you even think about Christmas can be a hard time for people. I love it.

Yeah. But some people, it's one of the worst times of the year. It can be the loneliest time of the year. Valentine's Day for people. It's so hyped up, but people that are single and sat on the road, they hate it. You see everyone holding hands, don't you? Absolutely. Table for one, please, at the local Italian.

But so, you're going to see Snow White with your daughter today, is that right? Yeah, so I've, my mum, as I've told you before, and that is really poorly. She's been poorly for quite a long time now, four years. I'm so sorry, so sorry. No, that's okay. So she had a stroke four years ago and that in itself has been really hard because they're horrible things and you know, it changed her personality sadly and she hasn't been the same mum anyway. So I've kind of grieved the mum that she was.

Yes. But now she's poorly and this will be her last Mother's Day. So yeah, I've kind of tried to separate the two occasions because I felt like it was a bit unfair when my daughter Faye, she's 21. Yes. I didn't want it to be sort of, oh, it's the last Mother's Day

because then it would tarnish it for Faye. So we've kind of having our own day today. Well that's lovely. That's great. Yeah. That is really good. And then obviously you'll spend Sunday with your mum. Well I'm working Sunday because I work in the cleaners. Oh that's right. That's right. You said. Yeah. So but yeah we're having the day tomorrow. That's nice. That's nice. Yeah. Yeah that'd be nice. But what is there to say? Life can just be a bit shit, can't it really? Let's be honest. You know, you can dress it up all you like, but, you know, it's rubbish. It's not luck. It's not anything. It's just life.

You know, the certainty is that we're all going to pass away at some point. But to sort of, I think, like you say, one of the hardest parts for you is having lost your mum four years ago, really, from the stroke. Yeah. You hear it a lot with dementia cases as well, you know. People that are ill without Alzheimer's and they don't know who their son or daughter is anymore. You know, it's so, so sad.

Oh, it is, yeah. It's very similar to that sort of scenario and again, that's hard for Mother's Day as well, isn't it? Very much so. And the trouble is, you see so much overtizing, don't you? It's everywhere you go, isn't it? Going to Tesco's to pick your tea up or whatever and there's everything for Mother's Day and it, you know.

Yeah. Choosing a card, I found choosing a card this year really difficult because half of them it's not appropriate what it says in the card yes it's not you know it's been a really hard thing and what you buy somebody like that as well. Of course I love cards I'm a bit of a card person I know people say that they're going out of fashion or what have you but I really appreciate a card above anything I know it's a bit of a card person. I know people say that they're going out of fashion or what have you, but I really appreciate a card above anything. I know it's a bit of a cliche. I'd rather get a lovely card that's thoughtful words and a present. So going into card shops for me

is probably one of the most difficult. Going to see all the Mother's Day cards, or even if I walk past on a normal day and I see happy birthday dad or daddy or whatever. Those things really, you know, I really miss buying the cards. It gets you unexpectedly doesn't it? Yeah. Like I've been in places and sort of almost make sort of a bit of an involuntary sort of whimper as you walk past. But like yeah, it's really tricky. I've ended up buying two cards this year because I just... Couldn't decide.

Why? Well, listen, why not spoiler? Why not spoiler? Well, you can. That's the thing, isn't it? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I'll tell you what, I think it's a good idea. One of my local small restaurant chains, they sent like an email out to like people on their emailing list to say, do you want to opt out of our Mother's Day advertising? And I think perhaps more people should do that actually, more bigger companies, maybe they should do that, that would be a good idea. I think it's a great idea and I think it is becoming more common, Manda, I do. I've seen a few of them opting out of different events,

et cetera, and I think you're right, because again, you can be going about your business and that pops up and it just hits you, you know? It's an emotional time. Yeah, it's a little bit of self-preservation, maybe. Yes, yeah, absolutely. But what I do hope is that today you have a really lovely day with Faye.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it actually. Snow White's my favourite Disney film. But yeah, so we're really looking forward to that. I've heard it's absolutely awful and absolutely fantastic. So drop me a WhatsApp later, let me know. Yeah, same. Faye said she's heard it's like terrible, but we'll see. We'll see what it's like. See what it's like. I bet it's quite scary because even the Disney version used to scare me.

It was quite dark, wasn't it? Quite a dark film. Yeah, the witch used to, the evil godmother person that used to scare me. Yeah. She's got my nose actually. Oh, yes. She's got my nose actually. Oh, yes. Thanks for speaking to me. I know that you're heading out soon, but that's a really lovely way to start the pod. And I really, really hope that you have a great day today.

Thank you very much. And I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day with the girls. Thanks so much. Are you doing anything nice? I think it's going to be a very quiet, nice day. As I say, this is coming out on Monday, so it's all very confusing, isn't it? So I would have had Mother's Day, but I can't tell you what I'm doing. But I think we're just going to chill out at home. Eliza's mentioned

cooking a roast, but we'll see. Oh, lovely. Sounds nice. There you go. Well, listen, you take care. Okay, Nat, you too. And you keep in touch. Thank you for taking in. Don't be silly. Thank you go. Well, listen, you take care. Okay, Nat, you too. And you keep in touch. Thank you for taking care of me. Don't be silly. Thank you for talking.

Yes. All right, thank you. Bye, sweetheart. Take care, love. Bye. Bye. Bye, bye, bye. That was Amanda.

And you see, she's such a lovely lady. I've been WhatsApping on the business WhatsApp for a little while. And you can tell that there's a hint of sadness in her voice, but also she wants to have a lovely day for her daughter. So there's a lot of mixed feelings going on, you know, with families and different things. And I think it is really important what she said about people that have lost their children and what that day means for them, even if they have other siblings perhaps, but they don't feel that they can mother a child that they've lost.

And that's a really important thing to remember also. Moving away from that just for a moment, I just took baby James, Elia's baby James, for a walk down the river. She got her nails done. She doesn't like taking him in the nail shop because of the fumes and stuff which I completely agree with. I thought I was limply Christy this morning. I don't know who I thought I was with the pram. I was power walking but to a point which could have been a light jog and I haven't done that for a very long time. But I've

got to tell you, I have put a few pounds on recently. Now, we're all for body confidence, you know that. But you know when you get to a point where you think, hmm, I'm starting to, I just, the trousers, they're going on, they fit all right, but they're not as comfortable as they were. I reckon I've put six, seven pounds on, which is easy to come off, don't get me wrong. But leaving EastEnders, I've had quite a lot of sort of business things to do, lunches, going out with Mark, a few dinners, you know, being at home more actually to be able to cook nice things. So I've got to rein it in a little bit. Might have a soup tonight. But yeah, you know when you feel comfortable, don't you?

So that is not me saying I'm going to lose loads of weight and be skinny, but I do want the old trousers to fit me a little bit better than they do at the moment, you know? Here's a lovely message from Chloe in Thatcham. She said, hey Nat, Mother's Day for me is about being grateful. I tell my mum every day I love her so much. And on Mother's Day, I take a moment to remember all those who don't have their mums trying to be a mum or just not blessed with the ones they deserve.

Luckily I was blessed and I spend the day down memory lane reminiscing and just appreciating. Lots of love to you. I know it must be hard. Well, like I say, to be honest, it's been a very, very long time so I can deal with it really, really well. Maybe I'm made of stone, I don't know. But yeah, it's going to be, it will be what it will be, you know. And I just hope everyone has had a really nice Sunday. And again, I love the day Sunday. My book,

which you can pre-order now on Amazon, is called Happy Days. And the reason I've called it Happy Days is because I often say Happy Monday, Happy Tuesday, Happy Wednesday. And I love a Sunday. Sunday is one of my favorite days. So if I'm just at home with the kids and I'm cooking a roast, I'm in my element. That for me is perfect. A lot of people also, I think, at this time of year, we're excited. We're excited for the spring, the temperature's warming up, Easter is on its way, the kids are breaking up from school. So it's quite a positive time as well. I don't just want to dwell on the bad. It's a lovely time to be around your

children and if you get a card and a present, that's lovely. But also just to spend time with them and appreciate that Sunday is just so nice. Life's so busy. For me, Saturday and Sunday, or actually sometimes Saturdays, I'm at work. You'll have seen me actually on Saturday kitchen at the weekend. So I was, you know, I'm gonna be off to work. But I really do love a Sunday, be it mothering or not. This is a lovely, lovely message that I hope just brings a smile to your face.

Hello, this is Jude Thompson and I want to tell you about my kind and loving mother who cares for us, pays the bills, does the shopping, she keeps us healthy and she keeps us out of trouble. She loves us very much. I love her. She is Oscar Thompson and Jude Thompson's mother. Bye. Oh Jude, thank you so much for that message. It was absolutely delightful. Your mum's name is Lois and I think she's very lucky to have two boys like you. So thank you for your message. Brilliant. Hi Natalie. My name is Jenny and my husband is British but we live in the US but I'm a huge EastEnders fan and I listen to your podcast anyway.

I wanted to talk about how losing my mom was really hard and Mother's Day is a really horrible reminder of that. But I have two really great mother-in-laws who make it a lot easier this time of year. My mother-in-law Uma, who is very nice to me and, you know, is always supportive. And then there's my husband's mother, Glenys, who is absolutely lovely and they've both welcomed me into their family and made me feel so accepted. And I think it's really important to have mums that even aren't your mum. Anyway, happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. Thanks. No, thank you.

And your message prompted me, actually, to say a little bit about Mark's mum. Mum, too, is what I call her in cards and on gift tags. I call her Jackie, actually, most of the time. I don't call her mum. That's just me, really. I only have one mum. But Jackie really is so fantastic. I'm so fortunate to get on with my mother-in-law and not just because she's my mother-in-law.

We're really good friends. We share the same views, thought processes. We have some great conversations. We can get quite deep at times and we have a laugh. So I just wanted to have a shout out here for Jackie and say thank you for being my mother-in-law. Nearly. I know we're not married but you know what I mean. She'll be laughing. Hi now, it's Denise from Holbridge. Just saw your post about Mother's Day. I think every day is Mother's Day. I'm lucky to have my mum, but she's basically palliative care just just recently due to her heart failing.

So this year, she's just turned 80 on the 25th and Mother's Day coming so close to that is, yeah, gonna be emotional, but we're gonna make it special. My boys are not with me this Mother's Day, but they're doing what they both need to be doing which makes me proud as their mum that I've helped them to be able to do that but yeah and I know for a very close friend it's gonna be hard because she has lost her mum and I know that must be similar for you but I think it's

keeping them alive with us and sorry I've gone over one minute, but happy Mother's Day to you and to all the mums, wherever they may be. I'll let you off with a one minute because it was a lovely message, so thank you. I think it's lovely that your boys are off doing something and that you appreciate that and that you're proud of them. I think there's a lot of pressure actually

on people doing what they're going to do on those days. Do you know what I mean? You've got to see the mother-in-law, you've got to see your mum if you're fortunate enough to have all these people. Who's seeing who when? I'm going to go for lunch with that one, but the other one might get the ump, so we're going to go and pop around there, whiz by there and see them.

And then that lady up the road who does everything, well, she's like a mum, so I'm going to go and pop around there, whizz by there and see them. And then you know that lady up the road who does everything, well she's like a mum, so I'm going to go round there for a cup of coffee. The whole day is taken up with everybody else when you can be a mum as well. So that's another thing. Or Father's Day or Easter. We do really need to start and stop being worried about upsetting people. It's quite a big thing for me. As long as you're

not sort of being rude to people, just be honest and say, I really would love this year, Easter Sunday, just to be me and my husband and the children. Or I've decided I'm going to go to my auntie's house because that's what I want to do that day. I think there's a lot of pressure to see everybody. And obviously we do get that at the end of the year. But you know, even on Easter or Mother's Day and Father's Day, you know, I think there's a lot of pressure. I am going to see if Lynnie's about now because I'd love to have a little conversation with

Linda about Mother's Day. So let's see if she's around. Hello. Hello, Angel. Hello, darling. You all right? I'm all right. I just text you saying it'll only be quick, but every time I... The other night I said to you, I promise you it's only about a bill. I'm going to be really quick. And I think we're on the phone for an hour and 20 minutes. We can't do quick, can we?

We can't, but I am at work. I know, so it's going to have to be. Yeah, okay. You all right? Everything good? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, all good, sweet. So yeah, I'm just doing this pod that you're on now. It's a reflection, reflection of Mother's Day. It's going out on Monday. So obviously, we don't know how our Mother's Days have gone. But I just thought it'd be nice to just have a little chat really about Mother's Day and what you think about it. What are your plans? What are you doing?

Well, plans in terms of plans, yeah, we generally avoid going out Natalie, because now with all the grandchildren, it's really hard work finding somewhere to go that entertains adults and young children and babies. And also, you're accommodating lots of mums. I'm not the only mum, the girls are all mums. My daughter-in-law is a mum, they've got their own mums. It evolves, doesn't it, as your family grows. So we've worked it out quite well. We're having everyone's coming to mine for brunch. Lovely.

Then they can all we can have a few hours together have a bit of breakfast kids can play then everyone will disperse and go to their perspective others and I myself Maria and the children are planning to go out for the afternoon. Oh lovely. We haven't booked. Yeah so the whole day is going to be taken up. I'm going to leave Dave behind to do all the clearing up. Lovely, perfect. And rightly so. So yeah, cook breakfast, which your brother no doubt will be hosting. And

then yeah, that gives the others an opportunity to go to, you know, their in-laws. Yeah, it's very interesting you said that because I just was chatting to myself on here and I said it's quite a lot. We've spoken about losing mums, which we'll get onto in a moment, but if you have got all of them, mother-in-laws, mums, there's also a pressure that you've got to get around to see everybody as well. Look, my fault's on this Natalie and unfortunately I'm going to be the voice of doom and gloom and I really don't want to be because we have to embrace these times and enjoy each other's company but I just find that everything that

is commercialised becomes such a challenge for people. Yeah. Because as we keep repeating time and time again, and when you're speaking to the girls, and your nats nises, it's life is so busy. Yes. Yep. Women are now working to a much later age, working when they're mothers. So you are then being told by society to on this Sunday you have got to it's your day it's your special day. Not only is it your special day

it's got to be the perfect day. You've got to have all the photos, you've got to have all the Instagram. Oh yes because you've got to be seen on social media to be having the best day in the world. Yeah. And you've got to make sure. So honestly, if you actually break down the challenges of that day, it's not your special day. No. Right. So I'm losing an hour's sleep.

Yeah, that's true. Because the clocks are going forward. So I'm a bit put out there. Lynne, can I ask, sorry, I know I'm going off topic. When we, when the clocks go forward, will the mornings be a bit darker? Mm. Oh, thank God. Joanie was up at 20 past five. Oh, my goodness me. Anyway, that's good.

Hopefully she'll be up at 20 past six on Sunday. Let's hope so. Yeah, so sorry, going back to it. You're losing an hour's God. Hopefully she'll be up at 20 past six on Sunday. Let's hope so. Yeah, so sorry, going back to it. You're losing an hour's sleep. We're all losing an hour's sleep. I've got to do a brunch because obviously the others are going to lunch at their prospective others. So they've got all try and get to me relatively early, which means everyone's rushing around

in the morning. Amelia has swimming at half 11. So we've got to make sure they've kind of eaten by half 11 so they can go off and possibly come back. You've then got the pressure of making sure if others haven't got prospective others to go to that you're doing something else. That everyone's got something, a gift, a card, some flowers. If you're going out for dinner, there's thousands of you going out for lunch or brunch. But like you say, that's just not enjoyable with all the kids.

It's not enjoyable. But even without the kids, you're going to have to make sure you book somewhere months in advance because everywhere's full. You're not going to get the service you would normally get any other Sunday because they are absolutely overwhelmed. Absolutely. The quality of the food you're eating might not be as nice. No Sunday because they are absolutely overwhelmed. Absolutely. The quality of the food you're eating might not be as nice. No, because they're rushing it all.

The price may even be inflated. Your flowers are going to be triple the price. Yeah. And as I say, I don't want to be a doom and gloom merchant. It's beautiful. I love seeing in particular young men walking up the road with a bunch of flowers under their arm and you're thinking, oh, that's for their mum, or for their nan. And then you've got that. Then you've got that scenario. You've got you're buying for your mums, you're buying

for your nans from the grandchildren. You lot buy for your godparents. What I was about to say, you lot buy for the godmothers, this, that. It's crazy. No, it's ridiculous. It's crazy stuff. And then to really put the icing on the cake, for those of us that are not blessed to have our mums here, it's just a real, it just highlights, I mean, don't get me wrong, it's been many years for me. And me. So I've kind of hardened to it, and you Natalie, but you're still a young girl to not have your mum.

Then it's heightened by this day. It's just completely in your face, isn't it? So in your face and social media, as you rightly point out, has then just highlighted that even more so. I just feel I don't really like, not that I don't like, I think that's the wrong word, I need to rephrase what I'm saying here. I don't approve of being told what to do and when I should do it. I completely agree with you. If I want to go and visit my mum's grave, which I did yesterday, I will do that when I choose to go.

I'm not going to be pressurised to go there on Sunday amongst everything else I've got to do with my bunch of flowers that I've got to pay three times the price for. No, I'm not going to fold when I get them. I go when I want to go. Thank you. No, that's absolutely right. Absolutely. Do you know what I mean? I feel like we're cheap and we're being told what we're sitting in. And it gets followed. That's the mad thing. I'm not doing anything Sunday.

Oh, you're not? How lovely. I don't think I'm doing it. Come on mate. Listen, who knows? Eliza mentioned maybe cooking a roast for me and I think, oh, I enjoy that. I'd quite like to do it myself. But as it stands, I'm really not bothered. I just want to be at home. Yeah. But the day, no, and that's why we don't go out anymore. We used to. Do you remember when we had the private room, all of us together?

Yes, I do. It was lovely. That was, and that was lovely. But doing it year in, year out, it wouldn't become lovely. And our families have grown from, there was probably only three grandchildren then. That's probably going to, if we all got together, there'd be like 10 grandchildren. It's a lot. Yes.

It's a lot. Yeah. And it's the pressure. And also, I think it's the cost for people. It is a lot of money again. It's a double-edged sword, the whole thing, because you know, you could have people that have only recently lost their mums, lost their nans. Well, the other thing, Linda, I had a message from a lovely lady called Manda, who I've just spoken to on the phone, and she really sensibly and intelligently pointed out,

what about mothers that have lost their children? No, don't even. But I'm just saying, you know, all of these scenarios, these days high like that. So yes, it's a positive. I don't want to put a downer on a Monday pod, but I think it's important. No, but we've got to be realistic.

Be realistic. Yeah, of course. You know? And that's why I'm not sure about these sort of days that are named. You should love your mum every day. You should respect your mum every day and your daughters. You know, my daughters are mums now. That's right.

I'm trying to make their day special for them. That's right. Do you see what I mean? So, my day, I'm not saying it won't be special. It's always special having them around as much as it's hard work, because it is hard work. Of course, of course it is. But it's not, you know, the idea of it was meant to be to spoil your mum, but unfortunately, or fortunately, if you're a family with generations of wimp mums, it's very difficult to please

everybody. You know, Elia was saying they're going to go out, her and Jack, if the baby's well, and James are going to go out on Saturday to celebrate her mother's day. That's right. Because Sunday is not really going to be about Elliot because it's going to be about me and Simone. Yes. So you try that, you know, so that now it's become a weekend thing. Yeah.

It just, it's like everything now. It's just, everything is so exciting. I remember when my mum was alive, it was a little gift. We'd buy her a little gift, it might be something really silly, a little trinket for her to put on her sideboard, a load of rubbish, I'm sure. And we would just be together as a family. And it was simple. Now everything, you've got the balloons, you're going to be, I mean, gosh. If someone bought me a Mother's Day balloon, it would ruin my day. I know, because again, what for?

But even the flowers, I say this at Valentine's, I just think it's really sad that they're having to pay so much more for the flowers because... Just go and do it next week. Yeah. Yeah. We're idiots. Yes. No, we're the idiots.

Yeah. We're the idiots. They're rubbing their hands together. They're laughing. Agreed. Isn't it so much nicer to have a little hand... Honestly, I was just about to say, if I get a handmade card, you know what I'm like. How like, yeah.

And Joni goes in the garden and cuts me some daffodils and puts them in a glass and I'll get a cup of tea in bed. Days made. Yep. Yep. And do you know what always touches me? Ines does this a lot. She does this regularly.

I'll always get a text on Mother's Day from Ines saying, thinking of you, especially today. That's nice. They're the things that, you know, that's what's kind. That's just a simple text. It doesn't cost a penny. It's just something she does every Mother's Day. I'm a bit gutted now because I can't do that now because it's copying if I text Joe. I text my friends on Mother's Day, have a nice Mother's Day. I do do that. It's all

the commercialized stuff Natalie, but that's the world we live in now. No, you're right. That's the world we live in. But it is sadly, can be a very sad day for people, but it can equally be a beautiful day for many others. Absolutely. And hopefully, if you have lost somebody, you need to just, again, we've said it in our grief pod, but that pod was so popular, I do feel like we need to do another one,

actually. Yeah, we should. I think we really should because, you know, you just need to try and remember the good times. But, you know But if it's raw and just happened, it's horrendous day. But if you can just reflect back on nice times or even think about what you should have done like I do or what I would be doing, I would give everything to be having my 81, two-year-old mother around and cooking her roast dinner

or going up to Mark's. And she could still be here because she'd only be 81, 82, isn't it crazy? Yeah, and Mark could take her to Mark's and have a walk around and have a coffee and give anything wouldn't you? Yeah, absolutely. So for those mums out there that have their mums, make the most of not just Sunday. Every day. And yes, we do get complacent and yes, we do take each other for granted. And of course, you know,

life's not perfect, but you know, maybe Mother's Day is a prompt to remind even those that have their mums how lucky they are to have them because you can't help but take things for granted, can you, when you've got it and then when you haven't. And you don't know what's around the corner. You don't know what's around the corner. You know, I've had two losses completely the opposite ends of the spectrum. One of which was a complete shock and I went for dinner and then she was dead. And then I had no time to say goodbye. And the other, I had the time to know what was going to happen. And neither are nice.

So you never know what's around the corner. So like you say, you just got to enjoy every day, like we always say. I feel like a broken record, but you really do have to. It's true. It's true. And sadly, when we have these days, like Mother's Day, like Valentine's, like whether it's Christmas, you kind of lose sight of what it's really all about. I completely agree. And on a positive note, like you said though, those days are a little

nudge in the shoulder to just remember those people. Even Christmas that happens, where you start being a bit kinder to people, or you know or you're just a little bit more jovial around people, you have a bit more patience. Remember those days, those celebratory days and just think, well, let's do that on a normal Tuesday. Absolutely. And how amazing for people to be able to maybe listen to this pod or this conversation and again, it just gives, because sometimes this is all you need, you just need a little, you just need someone to remind you. You know, it's like when someone you know passes away, Natalie, it makes you reflect.

Of course it does. There's just been another bereavement in the community that's young, you know, relatively young man, father. Did you hear? I've had a bereavement, a personal, someone, yeah, a work friend, work colleague, very young. So again, like you say, doesn't that just give you that little, yes, yeah, and you think, oh dear, I need to send that text that I've been meaning to send for the last week. Need to send the text. What am I moaning about?

Need some of that phone call. Yeah, yeah, we all need that. We're only human. We are only human. But look, everyone have an amazing Mother's Day. The sun's going to be shining. I hope you can enjoy gardens and parks. Absolutely. Absolutely. And it can be something as simple as going for a walk, can't it? Well, we love a walk, don't we? Pushing your baby in the trolley. I just took baby James for a walk up the river.

Oh, did you go? Did you? Yeah, I did well. I swear, I pushed that pram like Linford Christie. I had a good old walk. Well done. Well, he's probably quite heavy to wheel around did well. I did. And I swear, I pushed that pram like lymphocristi. I had a good old walk. Well done. Well, he's probably quite heavy to wheel around as well. Such a little pudding. Oh, bless him. Such an adorable soul. Just smiles at me. Just smiles. Yeah, he's incredible. Absolutely incredible. I had the best day with him yesterday. He just smiles. He's lovely. Also, Elia got her nails done.

Yeah, she's had the nails done. That's good. She stopped being an alho. She said she's going to stay with this shop. So let's see how long that lasts. Let's see how long they stay on, actually. I might write it down. I'm going to write it down. It's crazy stuff. I mean, they probably have their nails done three times in one time that I do mine. I know, but you're supernatural, bloody hell. Yours have dragged out for two months. I do, yeah.

It's very good. You're right and all. And so Sunday, you're having a nice, chilled Sunday. Nice, chilled day. Nice, chilled day. And you will see me on Saturday Kitchen live this weekend on BBC. Oh, lovely.

So I'm doing some food and drink testing. It's Saturday morning. So I'm off to do that as well. But yeah, when this comes out, it'll be Monday. All of this will be over. But there you go. There you go. Well, happy Mother's Day to you all, especially you, my darling. And you, Angel. And no doubt we shall speak. And we shall speak soon. All right. Bye, Angel.

Bye, sweetheart. Bye, darling. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Five minutes turns into 15, can't help it. Every time we speak to each other and she's at work and she's given me that amount of time. Bless her, thanks Lynne.

Very important, we share a lot, you know. Be it not having the mums to the daily gruel of looking after the daughters and one day I'll have the grandchildren that she's got. So it's really lovely. We have a lovely relationship and she is also a bit of a mum. And I think I'm a bit of her mum sometimes. It doesn't matter about ages, it's about roles and generations don't really matter sometimes. It's the women in your life that are important that you can talk to. They're a sounding board. You can

talk to them in confidence. You can have a moan or cry. You know, they're mother figures. It doesn't matter their age. So yeah, love you, Lynne. Joni, it's um, I know it says it's seven o'clock in the morning but it's actually six. It's seven. So what time did you get up today? You told me it was three to seven. Was it three to six? It was three to seven. It's because the clocks have gone forward but I'm still a bit anyway it doesn't matter. So have you got Mummy's cards? Yes, they're underneath for your what is it called? Your side cabinet. Okay.

What about her presents? They're in the shed, we can do those later. And how do you think Mummy's going to feel that you're going to wake her up now when really it's 6am? Do you think she'll be right? I still think I've got a really good and long day. okay so we're gonna wake her up are we? yeah. what about your sister? she's in the same bed. yeah she can't be bothered to get up to do this. no. she's too sort of cool now for this, isn't she? Yeah. Right, okay. I mean, I'm barely awake, Joanie.

And I'm okay. Why don't we go and have a little snooze? No, don't want to. Okay, so what are we going to do? Wake up my man and then... We better be quiet then. Yeah. Right, okay.

This is like a secret movie. Happy Mother's Day! Thank you darling. Can I have a cuddle? Yeah, do you know we're doing the pod? Oh! Oh dear. Joni's just pointed out, she said,

oh it's really good I woke up at 7am today. That was brilliant darling, but the clocks went forward, so it was actually 6 o'clock. Oh. Oh. That's what I was trying to explain to you a second ago, Joni. Yeah, I know but I don't believe you. Shall we open the cards quickly, and then Mummy might want a little lie in perhaps?

Aww. Why don't you just open some cards and read them? I would love to do that. Wait, wait, wait. Do this one. Okay, here's your first one. I can't, darling. This is your first one.

Thank you. You've only got one. I only need one. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm This is your first one. Thank you. You've only got one. I only need one. Oh that's funny. What does it say on the front? Mummy you're extraordinary. With two strawberries. We like jokes don't we? To Mummy, you so much happy mother's day lots of love from Joni j dog monkey Joan thank you darling okay yeah thank you so much I love the stickers. I made this one at the Mother's Day figure. Oh it's lovely darling. I love a handmade card you know that. Right I'm reading this. Oh okay. Dear Mummy, roses are red, violets are blue, did you know that I love you? Now, this is the very version

that is very silly. Roses are red, monsters are green. If you look in the mirror you see what I mean. Love you to stars and back. Happy Mother's Day, Joni J. Joni Monkey. Oh I love it. Thank you so much darling. Oh my goodness. I like this one at school wow you have gone to town on the cards that's beautiful isn't it? I did! oh wow this one I made myself. I screamed. That's a green card because it's my favourite colour.

Yeah. That's lovely. Happy Mother's Day. Aww. It's so dark. Thank you for loving me. That's embarrassing. I do love you. It's not embarrassing.

It is. These roses are brilliant at what you've drawn here. Is that what you were showing me the other day? Is that when you learnt them? I finished that picture. It says Happy Mother's Day. Oh, one for the fridge then? Yeah. Absolutely beautiful. All my favourite things. Give me a kiss. I love you. Love you. What are we going gonna do today then? I don't actually I you know when you thought I was lying

cuz I saw that cheeky grin on you but I actually don't know what we're doing I don't know if we're staying at home it's up to daddy that bit I don't know what we're doing well that's okay cuz you were like giving me the dirty grin like I did it's the way you were looking at me the other day you were a bit like oh I know what we're doing as if we were gonna do something I'm very very very very happy to stay at home Jonah what a bit of a cold are we doing anything daddy? it's a surprise we'll see you later won't we? i don't know what we're doing is it a surprise for me as well? no so why? have you got any other surprises for mommy? yes but it's outside it's like oh okay we'll get them in a minute all right that's lovely it's just very nice and I'll give you a clue.

I'll give you a clue. I'll give you a clue to all the things. Okay. First clue of the present. First clue you would love it. You would use it outside. A watering can? No you're not allowed to take any guesses. Oh alright. You should think if you go inside and outside but mostly outside. Okay. Cool. No. Does it? But mostly inside. Okay. Bit of both. Bit of both. In and out. In and out. Shake it all about. Well it's been in the outside a lot so. Fine okay. Yeah. Oh well I just can't wait to be with you today I'm gonna have a... I'll have a cup of tea because my throat hurts this morning. Yeah my nose really hurts for that. Does it? I'm about to bleed. Oh no. Do just I licked my nose overnight I feel like it's going to bleed, I have taste of blood in my mouth Oh dear, I would love a nice newspaper

Why? Because I don't know, I like reading the paper on a Sunday I've just realised we forgot the traditional cup of tea to come in with Joni we normally come in with the... yeah well we're gonna do that now okay I'd love a cup of tea please right thank you would you like a brownie? no thank you no just a cup of tea all right give me a kiss and a newspaper I'd love a newspaper yes can I sit up here and do it with you like the sadookies or the dookies? Of course.

Okay. I've gone down with my dad to get the cup of tea. Would you like to stay with that or would you like me to take it? I think I'll stay here. Okay. Happy Mother's Day. Thank you very much Angel. You'll probably open the present and be like

what is that? And then I'll explain. Alright then. Lovely handwriting. Thank you. Aww. It's lovely Eliza. Thank you. Thank you very much. It's a lovely card. Alexa, tell my mum she's amazing. Oh. Oh. I'm not going to show her to help you with that. Rude. Joni, stop.

Thank you, darling. Thank you. Mwah. Ooh, what have I got? Don't need to waste your money, darling. No, but I wanted to. So it's a golf ball keyring. It's grandad. Oh, that's lovely.

That is so cute. There was the non keyring version but I thought you'd like that. I will put it on my keyring. But it's grandad because everyone plays golf. That's really, really cute. And Dom and James and David. Exactly, that's the name. That uncle David.

Aww. I love it. Thank you. We've just been to Pierces. I know, I saw it on your location. Got all the dinner. Picked up the jumpsuits from Pissy. Oh, well done.

So we're all done, ready to have a glass of wine soon? What's the time? Oh no. Not yet. That is wrong though. What's happened to the clock? Close your eyes. Oh, okay. Closing my eyes. It's a lovely day out there darling. It's 11.11, make a wish. It's a beautiful day oh wow they're amazing I've just been handed two beautiful plants well they are it's a plant though isn't it? Girls thank you so much. Where am

I going to put these? I could go in the lounge, can we get it or not? Yeah if we get a pot for it, nice pot. Thank you very much. What's this on the table? I'll work that out, yes that could go on the table for now. Lovely. Right I'm going to prepare a nice roast and we can all relax. What time are we eating? Yippee! Are we going to eat early? We're not going to eat early, no. Fine. Would you like to eat early? No, don't mind.

We'll have a chat about it. It's only because you said you'll start it now, so I thought... I just was going to get it all done, really. Can you take the label off? Yeah, I'm coming. Right, we're off for a lovely day. And, as I said, I hope you've enjoyed this pod today, retrospectively, on a sunny, sunny Monday. I shall speak to you all Thursday. Say goodbye girls.

Bye. Bye. Happy Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day. For yesterday. It's a really confusing pod everyone. I'm not doing it again. See ya.