Forget the chocolates, cancel the chrysanthemums and don’t worry about a card. Australian mums say a simple ‘thank you’ is the best gift they could receive on Mother’s Day.
According to a survey commissioned by Procter & Gamble to measure attitudes to gratitude across Asia, we don’t need to spend a lot to please our mums. Simple words of gratitude are more than enough with Australian mums preferring that over flowers, clothing, jewellery, restaurant meals, help around the house or even holidays.
However when it comes to saying thank you Australians are a slack bunch. Almost 20% of Australian respondents could not even remember the last time they thanked their mum and only 13% thank their mum daily.
The research uncovered interesting attitude and behavioural patterns among Australians when it comes to showing their gratitude to their mums:
* Australian respondents are most likely to express their gratitude to their mum just once a week. Despite this, 77% agree that their mum has made many sacrifices for them and 78% say they have a close relationship with their mum.
* It seems we have good intentions though: 68% of Australian respondents think mums deserve to be thanked every day. It’s just that we don’t seem to get around to it.
* Half of Australian respondents reported giving mum ‘something she likes’ such as flowers, new clothes or jewelry as the best thing done on Mother’s Day but only 22% of mums said they actually wanted to receive this. Just on 35% of mums say they would just like to hear ‘thank you’ on Mother’s Day.
* What mums want is a simple thank you on Mother’s Day but only 42% of mums in Australia have ever received this on this special day.
* Interestingly, of those respondents who are mums, 69% said being a mum makes them appreciate what their own mum did for them more now as a result.
* Mums deserve our thanks: 63% of those respondents who are mums say that it is difficult to be a mum. The number one sacrifice they say they have made in being a mum is not being able to buy things for themselves, followed by no longer being able to choose holiday destinations they would personally prefer to go to. A lack of social life was a sacrifice made by 47% of mums.
According to celebrity mum of two Rachael Beck, a simple thank you can make all the difference. “I agree with those surveyed as part of the P&G Attitude to Gratitude study. Being a mum is tough, especially if you’re juggling work and family life. As mums we care for our children without any expectations. But a little thank you and a sweet smile makes it all worthwhile. This Mother’s Day I’m looking forward to a big thank you hug from Talluleh and Roxie along with tea and toast in bed.”
This survey is an extension of the P&G Thank You Mum campaign launched globally in April to celebrate and honor mums of London 2012 Olympians. Spurred by these results, P&G has created a special online tool to help people thank their mums.
By visiting www.facebook.com/PGAustraliaNewZealand people can create their own ‘Thank You Mum’ message by uploading personalised video or photographic content and a greeting. Users will then be able to encourage friends and family to do the same, spreading the word to thank and celebrate all mums everywhere.
