Mother's Day quotes and poems

Mother’s Day is a special day that carries a lot of significance for parents and children all over the world. Lucky mums in Australia, South Africa, America, Italy, the UK and dozens of other countries are showered with cards and gifts by their loving children. There’s something quite special about little personalised thoughts of love – and few as expressive as poetry. Here’s a quick look at some of the most interesting and thoughtful poems on growing up, family, friendship and more for mother’s day.

Mother’s Day Poems from Daughters

Never Enough by Reanna Almeida is a touching poem in which a daughter thanks her mother for everything that she has done. This poem is perfect for an older child who wants to show that she truly appreciates her mother.

Never Enough

Sometimes I know the words to say to give thanks for all you've done, but then they fly up and away as quickly as they come.

How could I possibly thank you enough, the one who makes me whole, the one to whom I owe my life, the forming of my soul.

The one who tucked me in at night, the one who stopped my crying, the one who was the expert at picking up when I was lying.

The one who saw me off to school and spent sad days alone, yet magically produced a smile as soon as I came home.

The one who makes such sacrifices to always put me first, who lets me test my broken wings, in spite of how it hurts.

Who paints the world a rainbow when it's filled with broken dreams, who explains it all so clearly when nothing is what it seems.

Are there really any words for this, I find this question tough, anything I want to say just doesn't seem enough.

What way is there to thank you for your heart, your sweat, your tears, for ten thousand things you've done for oh so many years.

For changing with me as I changed, accepting all my flaws, not loving 'cause you had to, but loving just because.

For never giving up on me when your wits had reached its end, for always being proud of me, for being my best friend.

And so I come to realize, the only way to say, the only thank you that's enough is clear in just one way.

Look at me before you see what I've become, do you see yourself in me, the job that you have done?

All your hopes and all your dreams, the strength that no one sees, a transfer over many years, your best was to pass me.

Thank you for the gifts you give, for everything you do, but thank you mommy most of all for making dreams come true.

Mother’s Day Poems from Sons

Angel mom by Karl and Joanna Fuchs is a short but touching poem reminding us of a mother’s instinctive role as defender and protector. It can be hard for sons to tell their mothers how much they care, but this poem shows the strength and love that young boys need.

Angel Mom

You're the best person I've known,

Covering me in your love as I've grown,

My defender, watching, alert,

To protect me from being hurt.

You're my guardian angel; I see

How you take care to look out for me.

You're the best mom in every way;

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

You don’t have to be old enough to be able to write well to give a poem, either. Mother’s day poems for preschool-aged children are quite popular – there are even poems from babies too!
Here are some poems from younger children.

Mother’s Day poems for church and other themes

Mother’s day has a special significance for religious families. In many cultures, Mother’s Day is now joined with Mothering Sunday, a day of celebration of all women who give their time and love to their children, and a day of remembering the Virgin Mary. Mother’s day is something that the whole family can take part in, with poems and gifts from a husband, or even from a best friend to a mother who may have lost their child and be feeling alone

Grandmothers can be celebrated too, and families that are separated – as their children have left the nest to go to university – can bond through Mother’s day poems across the miles. Each culture has their own way of paying tribute to families. African American poets write particularly touching verses, for example, but the true idea of celebrating those you love transcends cultural barriers. For us united in love, Mother’s Day is special to us all.

A Guardian Angel

Your mother is your teacher, your guardian angel, your protector, your confidante and your friend. She will care for you when you are young, teach you as you grow up, be there to offer advice, and then be there for friendship. Mother’s Day is a day when you can celebrate everything that your mother has done for you, and thank other mothers too. Spare a thought for those who have lost their children, and for those who have lost their mothers too. While your mother’s love will always be with you – even when she is gone – sometimes it’s easy to forget that this is the case. A thoughtful smile and a kind word will mean the world to people who are in that situation. These beautiful poems and touching quotes are a great way to express the love that you feel for your mother, grandmother or wife. If you can’t quite find the words to say how you feel, try one of these in a handmade card, and say thank-you for the love and care that the mothers of the world provide. This poem, dedicated to a Mother, is quietly and deeply moving.

If roses grow in heaven

If Roses grow in Heaven,

Lord please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother's arms

and tell her they're from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there's an ache within my heart

that will never go awa

  – Anonymous

Quotes for Mother’s Day

Sometimes, a simple quote says things best, and in a voice that is more natural and immediate. Whether you’re looking for Mother’s Day quotes for cards, or something to put into a work of cross-stitch, these quotes and sayings could be perfect for you.

After all, it’s saying something from the heart that matters, and a simple thought and gesture can mean as much – or more – than a lengthy epic poem, if those words come from the heart and are delivered with a loving hug and a tender smile. There are Mother’s Day quotes from the bible, funny quotes and sayings for those who prefer something a little more light-hearted, and sayings that take inspiration from Buddhism, as well as Mother’s Day quotes that help you to find the words to say that your mother is your best friend.

Mother’s Day can be a difficult time for those in non-traditional families, but perhaps Oprah said it best when she explained that “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother” . Another famous quote that explains how we value mothers, and how truly special they are to their children, is George Cooper’s: “Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn. Hundreds of bees in purple clover. Hundreds of butterflys on the lawn, but only one mother the wide world over.”

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” – George Washington

“My family has very strong women. My mother never laughed at my dream of Africa, even though everyone else did because we didn’t have any money, because Africa was the ‘dark continent,’ and because I was a girl.” – Jane Goodall

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it." -Mark Twain

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom." - Henry Ward Beecher

And some Jewish proverbs that show the power and strength of a mother’s love:

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers."

"A mother understands what a child does not say."

We owe so much to our parents - after all, “no gift can equal that which your mother gave to you – life.”

If there's someone special you're thinking of and you'd like to show your love, why not pick out something lovely from one of the prettiest flowercard ranges?