This One Goes Out to the Mamas

Abraham Lincoln once said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." While we may not have put it the same way, we know we wouldn't be the same without them—and even science agrees.

Children close to their parents have stronger critical thinking skills, fewer mental health problems, better manage stress and form closer bonds with others. Studies show that while moms are busy raising their children, they often put themselves last.

In fact, a 2020 study on motherhood found 49% of moms hadn't gone out with a friend in a month, 70% got less than an hour to themselves daily, and most slept less than six hours per night, even though long-term sleep deprivation can lead to depression, lowered immunity and other health problems.

However, the benefits of being close to mom don't stop at emotional contact. A mom's skin is like magic. Compared to incubators, infants who snuggle mom gain weight faster and are more resistant to infection. And, as gross as it might seem, a mom's saliva can be pretty magical, too. Pediatrics reported that infants whose parents cleaned pacifiers with their mouths developed fewer allergies and eczema. They also had higher immune systems than parents who rinsed or boiled pacifiers.

If that weren't enough, mom also has an uncanny memory. If your mom tells stories about you that you wish she'd forget, that's not going to happen. Moms have great, "computer-like" memories of what they see and hear their kids do. Journal of Clinical Medicine reports that women are better at accessing verbal-based memories and dates faster than men. They also use more emotional terms when recalling memories.

Celebrating mom may seem like a no-brainer, but the holiday wasn't always about celebrating the magic of motherhood. The holiday we celebrate today was originally called "Mothers' Peace Day," and it was established in 1870 to promote antiwar activism. The day encouraged women to gather to present essays, sing, listen to sermons, remember fallen soldiers and work for peace before it was deemed a holiday and commercialized.

According to the 2021 National Retail Security Survey, Americans planned to spend $28.09 billion on Mother's Day. If you're not sure what to get for your mom, consider SPF products that protect her magical skin, a spa day to give her time to herself, or brain-boosting foods like tea, dark chocolate or a bouquet of berries.

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