As Mother’s Day approaches in the UK, a wave of fresh research and heartfelt stories is shining a spotlight on the immense sacrifices mothers make—and the powerful role of friendship and support groups in their lives. According to a study released on March 15, 2026, by greetings card marketplace thortful, the realities of motherhood are far more complex and self-sacrificing than many realize. Meanwhile, personal accounts published by Metro reveal how modern mum groups have become lifelines, offering everything from practical help to emotional solace, even as some public voices question their value.
Thortful’s national survey, conducted in the run-up to Mother’s Day, asked UK mothers to reflect on the person behind the “mum” label and the extraordinary lengths they go to for their families. The numbers are striking: 31% of mothers reported sacrificing relationships with friends or family, while 29% said they stopped being as social. The dreams of travel were set aside by 27%, replaced by family holidays. For 24%, spontaneity and freedom in daily life became a thing of the past, and 20% lost the luxury of time to themselves. Hobbies and fitness routines fell by the wayside for 17%, and a remarkable 13% confessed to feeling like they’d lost their very identity, known only as “mum.”
“I’m now ‘mum’ to everyone,” one mother admitted, echoing the sentiment of many who feel their personal ambitions and sense of self have faded into the background. According to thortful’s findings, 12% even gave up a dream career or job, and 11% became unhappy with their appearance or body. The study also revealed that 14% of mothers lost the ability to do nothing without feeling guilty—a telling sign of the relentless pressures many face.
Yet, when asked what would make them feel truly appreciated on Mother’s Day, mothers didn’t just want flowers or chocolates. The top request, cited by 34%, was to arrange a trip away or holiday together—an adventure to reclaim some of the spontaneity and excitement lost to parenting. A quarter of mothers (25%) wanted to spend time with their children trying out old ambitions or hobbies, while 24% simply craved appreciation and recognition without being prompted. Other suggestions included helping reignite an old hobby, regular phone calls, spontaneous visits, and personal cards or gifts. Some, like 10% of respondents, even wanted help creating a side hustle or training for a new career interest.
Beyond gifts, thortful encouraged children to get to know their mothers as individuals, not just as parents. They compiled ten thoughtful questions for children to ask, such as “What did you want to be growing up?” and “What gives your life a sense of purpose away from being a parent?” The goal: to inspire deeper connections and ensure mothers feel seen not only for what they do but for who they are.
While the thortful study highlights the personal sacrifices and desires of mothers, stories featured in Metro underscore the importance of community and friendship in helping mothers navigate these challenges. Take Sophie Baldwin, 33, from Harrogate, who is 35 weeks pregnant with her third child. For Sophie, her “mum group”—friends she met through the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) in 2021—has been a source of invaluable support. “Knowing I have these friends is invaluable,” Sophie told Metro. “Before becoming a parent one doesn’t realise how much you lean on a network which is going through similar things at the same time. This time, I have a support network from day dot which is brilliant.”
Her friends have stepped in during moments of need—like when her best friend Charlotte and her partner came over after Sophie’s second child was born, cooked dinner, and handled bath and bedtime for her eldest so she and her husband could simply relax. “Moments like that are invaluable and often ones you don’t want to ask for, but when you have the right people around you, you don’t have to ask, they’re just done out of love,” Sophie explained.
While some prominent voices, such as singer and actress Ashley Tisdale, have publicly criticized mum groups for being “toxic,” Sophie’s experience is quite the opposite. “Mum groups, in my experience, have been as far away from toxic as they possibly could be,” she said. “I’ve had nothing but support, kindness, unconditional love, and plenty of chocolate and wine out of them!”
But not every mother finds her tribe immediately. Elaine Gregersen, 45, from Newcastle on Tyne, faced profound loneliness after a traumatic pregnancy in 2019. Her identical twin boys were born four months early; one, Henry, survived just a week, while Blake endured 123 days in hospital and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. “It was a lonely time,” Elaine recalled. “I left Whatsapp groups. I had two amazing friends who checked in on me, but I withdrew from everyone.”
Everything changed in summer 2024 when Elaine discovered Little SENDsations, a group for families of disabled children. “The day was incredible,” she told Metro. “All the other children were wheelchair-based as well and I started asking questions about their chairs and swapping stories of the difficulties we had all faced with the SEND system or the local authority. We fitted in and I didn’t have to do any explaining.”
Through the group, Elaine and Blake have tried swimming, gone on speed boats, and enjoyed dolphin-watching. “Meeting that group changed my life. My sanity has been saved so many times by knowing they are there. I’m never alone now. They are a group of superheroes that I know I can call on, and they are my mates.”
These stories are echoed by Alicia Drabble-Castellano, 49, from Wimbledon Park, London, who formed lifelong friendships in her NCT group nearly 17 years ago. After a traumatic 56-hour labor, Alicia found solace in the weekly meet-ups. “These amazing women who I had only known for a few weeks just held Mia and looked after us both. I realised I didn’t need to put on a show,” she said. The group has supported each other through countless milestones, from school choices to business ventures. “My friends demonstrate acceptance, unconditional love and sisterhood. They have seen me at my most vulnerable and held me close. They are very special people.”
The NCT, which supports 250,000 parents annually in the UK and Channel Islands, remains a cornerstone for many families. While some groups may drift apart as children grow, others become lifelong sources of strength and belonging.
Mother’s Day, then, becomes not just a time to celebrate mothers’ sacrifices, but also their resilience, friendships, and the communities that help them thrive. Whether through a thoughtful question, a shared adventure, or the steadfast presence of friends, the message is clear: mothers deserve to be seen, supported, and cherished—not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.