Every year, mothers across the globe are celebrated with flowers and gifts. Children in school write letters, and save up their pocket money to show the most important woman in their lives a little extra appreciation.

Not all children have mothers in their lives, however. And in 2021, we are seeing much more diverse family dynamics and setups that are equally worthy of celebration.

With this in mind, we spoke to Chris Gaidhu-Withell about how he and his partner, Ricky, will be marking March 14 with their adopted son.

Mother's Day is celebrated on the 14th March in the UK (Credit: Unsplash)

Chris and Ricky are one of 212,000 same-sex families in the UK, per the Office for National Statistics, and this is the second Mother's Day that they will be celebrating with their seven-year-old son, L*.

Initially, they had a "few concerns". "We didn't really think about it until our nieces and nephews started marking it at school, and we were like 'oh crap', how are we going to handle this one," Chris laughs. "We obviously wanted to avoid him feeling left out."

The couple started their journey to parenthood back in 2015, and went down the adoption route after deciding that surrogacy was not for them. L was placed in their care two and a half years ago, and he was formally adopted last year.

According to government statistics, on average more than nine children per week are being adopted by LGBTQ+ parents – comprising 14 per cent of all adoptions. This research is not conclusive, however, as it was published in 2015, and so cannot account for the growing trend of same-sex adoptions in 2021.

The ONS confirmed that a voluntary question about gender identity was included in this year's Census, which will enable a fuller appreciation of family diversity in the future.

Chris and Ricky pictured with their seven-year-old son (Credit: Supplied)

After "several discussions", Chris and Ricky were able to find a way to mark the holiday in a manner that was both inclusive and celebratory of all the women in their young son's life. "We've always been very open with him, in all regards, and Mother's Day was no different," Chris, 32, tells me.

Because L does not have any psychical contact with his biological mother, the couple decided to turn Mother's Day into Grandparent's Day.

"He gets to make cards at school for all three of his grandmothers, and he enjoys that," Chris says. "There's one aspect of feeling bad that he's left out, but then again, we're so lucky to have such a massive support network. We try to make him feel a little more special by having that difference."

Thankfully, L's school is very inclusive, and are actively supportive of Chris and Ricky's situation. "They were very on it in regards to Mother's Day. They asked us if we wanted to do something specific, and that's when we suggested Grandmother's Day. So, they are quite open to putting alternatives out there."

Of course, this is not the case with every school, as Chris is keen to stress: "It does vary from school to school, unfortunately. And within our circle of fellow adopters, we've seen that some have had to put in more of a fight for changes to be made."

Chris pictured with his seven-year-old son (Credit: Supplied)

Chris and Ricky also ensured to speak to their son about Mother's Day, as his brother – who is in a separate placement – currently does have contact with his biological mother. "We've explained the reasons why L can't see his mum more, and we stress that even though they don't have physical contact, he still has a mother. So if he wants to draw her pictures for Mother's Day, we take that aside, and include them in the letter we send to her every year. We also try to point him in another direction, so with Mother's Day, it's about his grandmothers."

Still, the pair naturally have their worries. "The bullying aspect is still a concern. But with the way that things are changing, and the increasing acceptance of the gay community, that worry is reducing."

It won't completely go, however, until some of the more insidious gender stereotypes are broken down, Chris continues. "It's not even necessarily an LGBTQ+ thing. It's more of a dad thing in general. There's a stereotype of the mum being at home, and I don't think that's fair on mothers anyway."

Chris says that making every day things like "mother and baby parking spaces" and "mum and baby groups" more inclusive spaces – especially in terms of the language that's used to describe them – would be a starting point.

"The media plays a big role too. We've even been seeing gay couples with children in television adverts, so it is improving, especially in the last few years when we started our journey," he adds.

Chris and Ricky look forward to Father's Day (Credit: Supplied)

Ultimately, it's Father's Day that Chris and Ricky really look forward to each year.

"We always try to make it really special," Chris says. "For our first one, we both took the day off. I love it because there are presents, and L gets really excited to give us them – he's such a loving and affectionate boy.

"I always felt bad for my dad growing up, we would give him a gift and then it was over. But because we're two dads, we make a real day of it."

*L's name has been hidden to protect his privacy.

Calvin Klein is being praised for their new campaign that features a pregnant transgender man.

The popular brand commemorated Mother's Day by posting a series of photos to its 22 million Instagram followers.

The post was captioned: "Today, in support of women and mothers all over the world, we’re spotlighting the realities of new families."

Listing the subjects in the photos, the caption continued: "@k.vventzel is a South African painter and mother to Wild. @erikafeeh and @roberto_bete are expecting parents from Brazil. Roberto is due to give birth to his and Erika’s son Noah any day now. @venedaacarter is a prominent fashion consultant. Her family is Bobbi and Weston."

One of the photos includes transgender man Roberto Bête with his partner Erika Fernandes. Both wearing their CKs, an overlay quote on the image reads: "We can reproduce biologically or from the heart...our place is to love and be loved."

Showing support for the spotlight the company had shined on families that had trans parents, many Instagram users commented on the post to share their positive sentiments about the campaign.

One person wrote: "Thank you for sharing all different kinds of parenthood."

Another person commented: "Absolutely love the inclusivity!"

A third added: "Beautiful families", as fourth agreed, writing: "Beautiful stories for mothers day."

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Amazingly, since the post has been shared, Roberto and Erika have welcomed their baby into the world.

Sharing the news to their own Instagram accounts, Roberto shared an emotional image of their baby's foot, along with the caption (translated): "After 12 hours of labor, the most intense pain I have ever felt, it came! Noah Fernandes Bête."

"Born May 10th at 1:12 pm, where on that same day 3 years ago I was fulfilling my biggest dream, the mastectomy," Roberto added. "I don't know if it's just a coincidence but May 10th will be marked for my whole life, the two most important things for me happened on that date."

This isn't the first time Calvin Klein has aimed to increase their inclusivity with their marketing campaigns.

In 2020 they launched a #PROUDINMYCALVINS campaign that was a celebration of self-esteem and all varieties of gender identity.

The campaign featured 31-year-old Black transgender model, actress, and activist Jari Jones.

The model wrote in her caption that she is a dreamer and that her body stands for her community and chosen family: "It has been such an honor and pleasure to sit in my most authentic self and present imagery of a body that far [too] often has been demonized, harassed, made to feel ugly and unworthy and even killed."

She continued: "I present this image [of] myself and all that my body stands for to my community and chosen family, in hope that they see themselves more clearly than ever and further realize that they are worthy of celebration, compassion, of love and gratitude."

Jones also thanked Calvin Klein for the collaboration and hopes that it would become a symbol of hope and love.

Congratulations to Calvin Klein for the campaign, and congratulations to Roberto and Erika on their new addition!

Featured image credit: Jerome Cid / Alamy.

A mom has taken to social media to ask for advice after she opted to tattoo one of her twins in order to tell them apart for medical reasons.

However, despite making the decision following a recommendation from a doctor, the mom has revealed that her mother-in-law is furious over the - potentially life-saving - decision.

Sharing her story on Reddit, the 31-year-old unnamed mom shared her story to the 'Am I The A**hole' subreddit - in which users share a recent grievance from their lives and users debate on whether or not they were in the wrong.

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She titled the post: "AITA [Am I the a**hole] for medically tattooing my child under the recommendation of a doctor?"

Recognizing that her the title of her post can sound jarring at first, the mom starts by writing, "Hear me out".

Then, after revealing that she and her husband had tried for five years to get pregnant, the mom explains that they required "medical help" in order to get pregnant.

Thankfully, this was successful, and she writes: "9 months later I have 2 beautiful fraternal twin boys" (to who she gives the fake names of 'Jack' and 'Adam').

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The mom continues: "[The] thing is, Jack has a condition. Without going into detail, [he] requires a shot once a week". She added that this will have to continue under he is old enough to take the medication in pill form.

She then explains that after returning to work, her mother-in-law offered to watch the twins from when they were nine months old (they are now 16 months). During this period, the boy's gran would give Jack his injection.

However, as the mom explains, this "worked very well until a month ago when she gave the shot to the wrong kid".

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She adds: "Now they may be fraternal but they look identical. I'll be honest my husband and I even mix them up sometimes. Everyone does.

"She immediately noticed her mistake, called 911, and they were transferred to hospital. By the time I got there, Adam had been given the reversal agent and they were both happily sipping on juice loving the attention.

"We went home the same night told to push fluids. He was never in danger. It's a very slow-acting medication that, at worst, would have given him diarrhea in a few days."

Despite this, the mom says that her mother-in-law was "beside herself".

"I tried to ease her worry but she refused to babysit so to daycare they went," she writes.

The mom then explains how a doctor recommended a medical tattoo - in order to tell the boys apart.

"They tattoo a freckle, no bigger than the end of a pencil eraser, on an area of skin that's easily seen," she writes. "Because of the area it usually fades in 2-3yrs, but by then they should have developed more personal features and may not need it redone.

"So after [a] discussion with my husband we did it."

Jack now has a two-millimeter freckle tattooed on his earlobe.

The mom explains: "From entering the office to leaving, it took 30 minutes," and states that Jack "never felt a thing".

However, the mom then states how the mother-in-law "lost her s**t" when they told her about the medical tattoo.

"I tried to explain but she just freaked out," she writes. "So I put both kids on the floor and told her to pick up Jack and find the tattoo.

"She picked up Adam, so I handed her Jack and after 20 minutes still couldn't find it. Stripped him to his skivvies.

"I finally pointed it out and she went 'That's just a freckle', I just said: 'My point exactly. Adam doesn't have a freckle there. So that's how daycare can tell them apart'".

Despite the potentially life-saving marking, the mom says that her mother-in-law is "still p***ed and ranting".

"Once I explain to others and they fail to find it they understand, but they still think I went too far in tattooing my child and altering their body," she writes.

"I believe I took the necessary precautions recommended by the doctor and the tattoo will fade with sun exposure and as he grows."

Asking if she had done the right thing, the mom's post blew up, and it has already received 29.3K upvotes in just five days - and many Redditors were firmly on the side of the mother.

"NTA [not the a**hole] at all, it’s literally a fake freckle. It’s not like you gave him a full sleeve of pin up girls and muscle cars. Also, it’s to make it harder to accidentally kill him or his brother. You made the right call," one person replied.

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Another agreed, writing: "NTA. You took the recommendation from a medical professional and made the decision with your spouse for the safety of your child. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially for something so small."

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And those who did disagree with the mom simply didn't agree with the choice of tatto, just as this comical Redditor:

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So, what do you think of this mom's decision? Let us know in the comments section!

One Australian couple went on a Tinder date to remember.

Alyssa Hodges and Max Silvy met on the dating app and went out three times together. Then, for their fourth date, they decided to step things up a gear.

Silvy joined Hodges while she gave birth to her son Ollie in a local Brisbane hospital, meaning that the pair experienced the miracle of childbirth a mere eight weeks after matching on Tinder.

They shared their unlikely love story in a video on TikTok, where Hodges, 20, tells her followers that: "the fourth date was him coming to my labor, and birth, and delivery."

The new mom goes on to explain that she was supposed to pick Silvy, 25, up from the airport when her water broke. After finding a new ride, Silvy wasted no time in joining her at the hospital, where he stayed by her side until her son was born.

"I was a little bit nervous because I was by myself, and I was also worried that — okay, yes I want him as a support person, but what if we end up breaking up in a week's time?" Hodges recalled in the video.

"We've only had a couple of dates. We didn't know each other very well. At this stage, his parents didn't know about me or anything like that," she added.

But she went on to say that it all worked out for the best and that Silvy ended by being her "biggest support." After baby Ollie was born he was taken to the NICU for a couple of days, during which time Silvy stayed with Hodges and supported her through the anxious first few days of motherhood.

He even got mistaken for the father by hospital staff - which Hodges said he didn't mind at all, and was happy to play along with so he could stay in the maternity unit.

And when the new mom and her son were released from the hospital, Silvy took a week off from work to help care for the newborn.

Hodges concluded the video by letting her followers know it had been a happy ending so far, saying: "we're still together now, thankfully!"

Featured Image Credit: Roman Lacheev / Alamy

The internet was ecstatic to learn earlier this week that Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry were expecting their first child together.

After having kept the exciting news under wraps for some time, the 35-year-old officially announced the pregnancy on Instagram Live following the release of her new 'Never Worn White' music video.

This is the exciting moment the pop star screamed with joy after announcing her pregnancy to her 9 million followers on Instagram Live:

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And now proud soon-to-be-father Orlando has taken to social media to share his glee.

Yesterday, the actor, 43, posted an Instagram picture of his pregnant fiancée at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 event in Australia. Orlando gushed about the prospect of becoming a father again, writing: "My babies blooming [sic]."

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Fans of the pair were quick to share their joy, with one writing: "I’ve been crying for the past two days pls i don’t have no more tears."

Another enthusiastic fan wrote: "IM CRYING AGAIN THIS IS SO PRECIOUS IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO."

A third added: "I can stop watching the photo she is perfect."

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In another post on Instagram live, Perry stated, per Metro: "There’s a lot that’s happening this summer. Not only will I be giving birth, literally, and figuratively… to something you guys have been waiting for."

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She added: "I’m excited. We’re excited and happy. It’s probably the longest secret I’ve ever had to keep. I thought I would tell you guys in the best way through a piece of music. While it’s not the lead single, it’s a good way to start out. I had to reveal it [the pregnancy] at some point. It’s getting pretty obvious."

Remember when the soon-to-be bride got into hot water for ordering an American Idol contestant to kiss her?

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