Mothers are tying coloured ribbons to their bags to send a signal to fellow parents – here’s what to do if you see one
- Anna Mathur, based in the UK, says she wants mothers to feel they can reach out
- READ MORE: Lydia Bright admits she feels ‘overwhelmed’ as a single mum
A parenting expert is encouraging mothers in need of ‘kind words or support’ to tie ribbons to their bags – to signal that they need support.
Author and psychotherapist Anna Mathur, from Surrey, launched the campaign on social media because she recalled feeling ’empty in the tank’ when out with her own children one day, and wished more strangers felt like they could offer their help.
Sharing the initiative on Instagram, where she has more than 198,000 followers, the influencer said she wants the gesture to act like a code of encouragement for people who are willing to give and take help.
Opening up on her experiences as a mother, Anna said she recently questioned why so many of us feel hesitant to reach out.
‘I was walking down the high street and one of the kids was screaming and the other two were lagging behind.
Author and psychotherapist Anna Mathur launched the campaign on social media as she recalled feeling ’empty in the tank’ when out with her own children one day
‘And I had that feeling, you know that feeling where you have nothing in the tank and you don’t know what to do?’
Anna recalled she ‘looked around, hoping to see a friend or someone she knew who could give her a hug and help her’.
‘I saw mums and families, and knew that at least one of them must have wished they could help me,’ she continued.
‘It got me thinking, what stops up from asking, what stops us from offering?’
The mother explained that, in her own experience, she has sometimes ‘felt like a failure’ when needing support, which hence hindered her reaching out.
‘I remember dropping one of the kids off for the first time at nursey,’ she added.
‘I walked alone into a cafe, feeling emotional and knowing that someone in there would understand, but not knowing how or who to talk to.
Sharing the initiative on Instagram, where she has more than 198,000 followers, the influencer said she wants the gesture to act like a code of encouragement
The mother explained that, in her own experience, she has sometimes ‘felt like a failure’ when needing support, which hence hindered her reaching out
Opening up on her experiences as a mother, Anna says she recently questioned why so many of us feel hesitant to reach out
Taking to her Stories, she shared and re-posted a flurry of ribbon-clad bags, encouraging mothers to keep the momentum up
Speaking to Metro.co.uk , Anna said she picked a ribbon because it felt like an easy to replicate symbol which wouldn’t be too expensive for anyone to get
‘I would LOVE to be the mum who helped another mum with an extra hand, some emergency wipes, or some comfort.
‘I wish there was a way that I could say “I’m up for you helping me, I won’t be offended. And I’m up for helping you too, you can talk to me.”‘
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Anna said she picked a ribbon because it felt like an easy to replicate symbol which wouldn’t be too expensive for anyone to get – not because it was visually pleasing.
‘In a society that pits women against women, this is a battle cry that needing each other isn’t [about] lack of strength,’ she told the outlet.
‘Leaning towards each other makes us stronger and healthier mentally. This is an antidote to loneliness, comparison, division, fear of being rebuffed when supporting others.’
The parenting influencer – who recently announced her latest venture, a book called Raising a happier mother: How to find balance, feel good, and see your children flourish as a result – has already seen the movement gain traction
One handmade bow company – Ribbon England – have even sent out free ribbons to charities, shops and campaign groups
The parenting influencer – who recently announced her latest venture, a book called Raising a happier mother: How to find balance, feel good, and see your children flourish as a result – has already seen the movement gain traction.
Taking to her Stories, she shared and re-posted a flurry of ribbon-clad bags, encouraging mothers to keep the momentum up.
One handmade bow company – Ribbon England – have even sent out free ribbons to charities, shops and campaign groups.
‘The response to @annamathur Mum Ribbon movement has been amazing,’ the business wrote in an Instagram post.
‘So many lovely people, charities, shops, baby groups, everyone getting involved!
‘We will continue to try and send out as many ribbons out for free over the next few days.’
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