If you’re a mom, chances are you’ve joked about becoming Mom of the Year during an utter, complete and total fail.
“Mom of the Year award goes to me – I forgot to pick up Ryder from soccer practice.”
“Oops! Threw out Reid’s favourite pajama pants – yes, the tattered ones – guess I’m Mom of the Year.”
“Just call me Mom of the Year: I gave the boys candy to stop their tantrums.”
(Of course the above examples are just fictional! I simply needed a few theoretical situations. Ri-ight.)
The point is, we often associate “Mom of the Year” with unattainable perfection. And moms will never be perfect, and that’s absolutely okay. So rather than use the phrase in a disparaging way to offset our feelings of inadequacy, let’s celebrate our accomplishments, our victories and most importantly, our privilege of having the most vital role on earth! Yes, friends, I AM Mom of the Year because I give my best every day – and that’s enough!
In honour of all that moms do and the impact they have on those around them, Walmart Canada is launching its third annual Mom of the Year Award, giving people across the country the opportunity to recognize the enormous contribution mothers make to their families and to their communities. (See? Contributions, people, not perfection.)
*New in 2014* – Walmart will honour six (6) Mom of the Year recipients. One mom will be selected by a Committee for each of the following five categories: Environmental Superstar, Community Champion, Smart Saver, Loving Caregiver and Everyday Hero. The sixth mom will be the My Finalist recipient, selected by public vote from 20 candidates.
Canadians will have the chance to review the top 20 candidates and vote for one mom they want to see become one of the six finalists through My Finalist public voting. Each finalist will receive $10,000 to spend on themselves and $10,000 for the charity or cause of their choice.
I encourage you to nominate the important moms in your life at www.walmart.ca/mom by describing the qualities that make them special and by sharing why they deserve to be recognized. Remember, the Mom of the Year will not be a perfect mom; she’ll be someone who faces challenges head on, learns from her mistakes, gives freely of her time and talent, and when called upon, rises to the occasion. Sounds like someone you know? Nominate away!
Nominations for the Walmart Canada Mom of the Year Award close on May 23, 2014. My Finalist public voting will take place from June 11 through to July 4, 2014 and the My Finalist recipient will be announced on July 5, 2014. The five category recipients will be announced from August 4 through to September 1, 2014.
To participate in the program and support Canadian moms, please visit www.walmart.ca/mom.