Vault: This mom is going on a Mother's Day strike

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: This mom is going on a Mother's Day strike
Date: July 29, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, The Bert Show shines a light on the frustrations many moms feel about lack of appreciation on Mother’s Day. The conversation centers around Erin, a mother of two teenage sons, who is contemplating a “Mother’s Day Strike” after years of disappointing and impersonal gifts. The lively discussion opens the phone lines to other mothers—and even a son—sharing stories of being undervalued, burnout, and the need for genuine recognition.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Erin’s Story: The Birth of a "Mother’s Day Strike"

• Recurring Disappointment: Erin shares that for the past few years, her family’s “thoughtful” Mother’s Day gift has been having her minivan—primarily dirtied by her sons—detailed and cleaned.
  • “A couple years ago, ...my husband gave me a minivan for Mother's Day. ...now, every year for Mother's Day...I get that minivan detailed and cleaned.” (Erin, 01:02)
• Desire for Authentic Appreciation:
  • Erin suggests even a simple, personal gesture—like a handpicked flower or handmade card—would be meaningful, but those have stopped as her kids have grown older.
  • “Even if they picked a flower from my garden, it would mean something. But they don't even do it.” (Erin, 01:52)
• Fed Up: After years of dropping hints with no results, Erin threatens to “stop doing stuff for them,” including household chores and transportation.
  • “I'm just not gonna do it.” (Erin, 02:24)
  • “The buses are stopping here.” (Erin, 02:32)

The Show’s Take: Strikes as a Teach Tool

• Immediate Agreement: The hosts and fellow participants support Erin’s strike, noting how a mother’s absence would force the rest of the family to step up.
  • “The idea of a mommy going on strike, I think is a brilliant idea, because...the house will come to a screeching halt.” (Birch, 00:47)
• Need for Dad’s Initiative: The team discusses the vital role fathers play in modeling appreciation and instilling the importance of Mother’s Day in their children.
  • “It's Pop's responsibility to instill that...you got to make a point to your kids that this is an important day and you got to go a little extra effort here.” (Birch, 03:38)

What Would Satisfy Erin

• Low Bar for Happiness: Erin asserts she doesn’t want extravagance, just basic recognition.
  • “It doesn't even need to be much—a small level of appreciation. Breakfast in bed, flowers, a card, you know, the regular stuff that everybody else is getting.” (Erin, 04:38)

Other Mothers Weigh In: The Widespread Problem

• “Join the Club”: Tracy, another caller, echoes Erin's story—detailing doing everything for her family while receiving little to nothing in return.
  • “Last year I got nothing for Mother's Day and I worked on Sunday...The year before that I got about a three dollar cup of candy in it.” (Tracy, 05:58–06:04)
• Proposing a Nationwide Mom Strike:
  • Support for the idea spreads, with joking about the domestic chaos that would ensue if all mothers went on strike at once.
  • “Can you imagine the way this city would shut down—the world—if all moms struck together?” (Caller, 06:29)

The Power and Impact of a Strike

• Stories of Real Strikes: Ruth, a seasoned mom, shares her experience successfully going on strike multiple times, causing her family to quickly realize her value.
  • “The first time, I actually left a sign in the kitchen and I went to the coffee shop and they all had to fend (for) themselves for dinner for an entire week....24 hours, they totally get it.” (Ruth, 07:25–07:43)
• Effects of Not Feeling Valued: The show discusses a surprising statistic that a major site for extramarital affairs sees a spike in registrations from women the day after Mother’s Day, implying the emotional fallout from not being appreciated.

A Son’s Perspective: Chris Calls In

• Reflection and Regret: Chris, a son who admits he doesn’t do enough for his own mother, feels convicted by the discussion.
  • “As a son of a mother that is in the same shoes...I got a deep conviction of hearing her not getting the presents or the gift that she desired or needed...I'm sorry for this lady.” (Chris, 09:13–09:38)
• Immediate Action: Chris pledges to make it up to his mom, planning to celebrate on Saturday since he works on Sunday.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I think this may turn into a forum for moms that haven't been shown any appreciation on Mother's Day in years.” (Birch, 05:22)
• “I'm beginning to think it's mine (fault) because I haven't really put my foot down. But it's ending now.” (Erin, 03:14)
• “All mothers should go on strike though. It'll be a nationwide thing.” (Caller, 06:25)
• “Let us men give credit to the men before us that have allowed us to set the bar so low for women that it just takes a card right now and wish we're happy, man.” (Birch, 09:57)
• “It's all about effort with women. Guys. God, get it.” (Caller, 10:19)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:36 – Erin introduces her frustration and rationale for the strike
• 01:02 – Erin outlines the “recurring gift” of the minivan cleaning
• 02:24 – Erin formally declares her intent to go on strike
• 03:38 – Birch emphasizes the role of fathers in teaching appreciation
• 05:22 – The host acknowledges this as a widespread issue
• 07:25 – Ruth’s story of her effective multi-day mom strikes
• 09:13 – Chris (son) calls in, moved to action by Erin’s story

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode balances humor and empathy, providing a safe venting space while also cutting deep into issues of gender roles, family expectations, and emotional labor. The conversation is candid, relatable, and at times pointedly funny as the hosts and callers banter about the “bar being set so low,” but ultimately the tone is supportive and encouraging, with a clear message: Genuine appreciation for moms shouldn’t be so rare, and it doesn’t take much to make her feel valued.

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For mothers feeling unseen, and for families who might be slipping into complacency, this episode is an honest mirror—and possibly an awakening.

Transcript

[Birch (Host)]

Queen Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word.

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[Birch (Host)]

The bird show. All right, here is Erin. Good morning. She does not need to be on the voice disguiser. Hey, Erin.

[Erin (Caller)]

Good morning.

[Birch (Host)]

How are you? Good. How are you this morning?

[Erin (Caller)]

I'm good. I'm good. Little frustrated, so I thought I would call and just air my frustration.

[Caller/Participant]

Okay.

All right.

[Birch (Host)]

Bring it on. Because I think this. The idea of a mommy going on strike, I think is a brilliant idea, because you can. The house will come to a screeching halt. And if mommy decides, look, it's sit down time. So what's your idea? Going into the weekend?

[Erin (Caller)]

Well, especially my house. I have two teenage sons, and they are into every sport. They're everywhere. I take them everywhere. I'm a stay her stay home mom. And, you know, I do it by choice, but I'm doing everything for them. And a couple years ago, I'd say about three or four years ago, my husband gave me a minivan for Mother's Day. And. And I thought that was just swell. However, in the last three years, now, every year for Mother's Day, what I get is that minivan that is filthy because of the kids. Detailed and cleaned.

[Birch (Host)]

Every year, my Mother's Day present, which

[Caller/Participant]

I can understand how they think that that's thoughtful, but maybe you would prefer something that's more specific to you.

They're probably the ones who mess it up. Mess up the minivan, mostly.

[Erin (Caller)]

Even if they picked a flower from my garden, it would mean something. But they don't even do it. They just, you know, my husband pays for it.

[Caller/Participant]

So I'm.

[Erin (Caller)]

I'm at my wit's end. I have left tents, and nobody's picking up on this over the years. And what I decided to do is, if I get that minivan detailed again for Mother's Day this year, I'm just going to stop doing stuff for them. They're going to have to figure it out themselves. My husband, he works home over the garage. He'll have to drive them to the 45 million things that they do every week, run all the errands for them.

[Caller/Participant]

Okay.

[Erin (Caller)]

I'm just not gonna do it.

[Caller/Participant]

So you're going on. You're like, you're the transit department and the transit department is going on strike. Effective.

[Erin (Caller)]

The buses are stopping here.

[Caller/Participant]

Yep.

[Birch (Host)]

So really, what you're looking for is a little more appreciation. I mean, your parents are. I mean, you're. Your kids are old enough now to where they can at least get you a card. They should be able to afford a little something. Something for you on Mother's Day. Even if it's handmade.

[Erin (Caller)]

Well, that's just it. I mean, years ago, when they were little kids, I would sit with them and we would make the cards for Mother's Day, and it was a joyful thing. But now it's like, oh, you got your minivan cleaned. No breakfast in bed, no flowers, nothing.

[Caller/Participant]

Yeah, and. Yeah, and the. In the detailing of the minivan should be something that they do during the year anyway. Oh, sorry we messed the van up.

Here's.

You know, that's not a gift for you.

Whose fault is this the most? The kids or the dad?

[Erin (Caller)]

I'm beginning to think it's mine because I haven't really put my foot down. But it's ending now. It's the dad, though. I mean, he's. I guess he thinks that he's doing something nice for me. I can't really fault him for that. But the truth is, it's not for me. My little section of the minivan is always clean.

[Caller/Participant]

It's.

[Erin (Caller)]

You know, it's just not fair. I'm their mother. I do everything for them. I should get some appreciation.

[Birch (Host)]

It's Pop's responsibility to instill that. You gotta go shopping for moms, though, for Mother's Day. Like, Hayden and I went shopping a week and a half. Gus, where he busted all those glasses at swoozies. So you gotta make it. You know, you got to make a point to your kids that this is an important day and you got to go. A little extra effort here.

[Caller/Participant]

Mm.

[Birch (Host)]

So outside of driving the kids around from everything, how else are you going on strike?

[Erin (Caller)]

I think that laundry is going to sit in a pile, and I kind of think that I will just. You know, when it's time to take the kids someplace, I'll just take the car instead of the minivan and, you know, go to my sister's house or, you know, go to the spa. I mean, whatever. I'm just going to shut down. They need their homework done at night. Help with their homework. Dad. Somebody's going to pay attention.

[Caller/Participant]

So tell me, what can they do to stop the strike? Like, what needs to happen on Sunday for you to be happy?

[Erin (Caller)]

It doesn't even need to be much a small level of appreciation. Breakfast in bed, flowers, a card, you know, the regular stuff that everybody else is getting. And I just get this stupid minivan clean.

[Caller/Participant]

Right? Yeah. Because I think that in our family, what we did for Millie Pete is just the fact that she. That was a day where she did not lift a finger at all for anything. So not only breakfast in bed, but lunch was provided for her, dinner provided for her, everything done for her during the day. Even though it shouldn't just be the one day that you do help mom around the house. But it definitely was, you know, something where. Because I'm thinking that there are other guys out there thinking, you know, or listening, thinking, okay, this is what I do for Mother's Day that are still confused. She doesn't lift a finger on Sunday at all.

[Birch (Host)]

I think this may turn into a forum for moms that haven't been shown any appreciation on Mother's Day in years. Hey, Tracy. Good morning. You're on Q100.

[Caller/Participant]

Good morning. I feel the mom's pain, but join the club. I mean, you know, I'm hearing everything she's doing. I do everything she just mentioned. Plus I work 40 hours a week. I've got two kids, both into sports. I take them. I go to each one of their sporting events.

[Erin (Caller)]

I stay the whole time.

[Caller/Participant]

Practice games, everything. My husband's clothes in the morning laid out ready for him to put on.

Above and beyond.

That's awesome.

Last year I got nothing for Mother's Day and I worked on Sunday. I worked every Sunday.

[Erin (Caller)]

Wow. The year before that I got about

[Caller/Participant]

a three dollar cup of candy in it.

[Erin (Caller)]

And the minivan that she got, I would love that. Did I mention that's what my husband

[Caller/Participant]

does for a living? His self. Car.

[Birch (Host)]

Oh, wow. That's gonna hurt.

[Caller/Participant]

96 Dodge Grand Caravan. Want to hear it squeal?

[Erin (Caller)]

I think we all know join the club. It's, you know, it is what it is. Join the club.

[Caller/Participant]

Maybe all mothers should go on strike though. It's going to be, you know, be a nationwide thing. It'll be great.

Can you imagine the way this city would shut down the world of all moms? Struck. Strike. Did. Struck.

It struck together.

Clothes laid out.

I don't know.

That's awesome.

Here's how little that guy has.

[Birch (Host)]

To think that's bad. And to not show any appreciation at all, that's bad. I mean, your moms, you have the ultimate at least when it comes to dad. The ultimate strike sort of chip, if you know what I mean. I mean, if you go on strike in one area, guys generally will pay attention. I don't endorse it.

[Caller/Participant]

I think she wants to be appreciated for the other things she does.

[Birch (Host)]

That's what I'm saying, though. But if you're gonna go on strike, there's nothing more powerful than striking in that area. Hey, Ruth. Good Morning. You're on Q100.

[Caller/Participant]

Hi, guys. I was just telling them I've gone on strike three times. My kids are now 20 and he's gonna be 19, actually. So. Three times in probably 10 years.

What'd you do?

[Erin (Caller)]

What did I do?

[Caller/Participant]

How'd you go on strike?

The first time, I actually left a sign in the kitchen and I went to the coffee shop and they all had to fend themselves for dinner for an entire week. Didn't clean, didn't do anything. I just did the same thing the other guy was talking about. I let them fend for themselves. And I tell you what, 24 hours, they totally get it. But I did it for, I think, four days.

So when did this strike happen? Was it just following a Mother's Day where you weren't appreciated?

Well, there was one Mother's Day where I didn't get a card. And everybody decided that, you know, they just probably either forgot. I don't know what happened, but I did it right after Mother's Day about five years ago. That's when they were teenagers, because I think life just got, quote, too busy for them, God forbid, because it, you know, they would forget things. And I said, well, what if I forgot you at the bus stop one day? What if I forgot, like, to pick you up one day? You know, and I've worked full time. I did 40, 50 hours a week at an office. So. But no, and I think the time two times before that, they were actually young, and it would be like, you make dinner and everybody be like. Somebody would be saying, well, there might be too much salt in here. This doesn't taste that good. Well, really? Then go to Taco Bell and get your dinner.

I think we need to have the Mother's Day vent instead of, like the teacher. We need the Mama's Day event.

Seriously.

[Birch (Host)]

Open it up on Monday.

[Caller/Participant]

Really angry.

I mean, I'm gonna throw the statistic out. But you know that, you know, website that we've, you know, talked about before for, you know, affairs and everything I had to go to this far. But there's this statistic out today saying that one of their biggest sign up days for women is the day after Mother's Day.

[Birch (Host)]

Oh, oh, Is that right?

[Caller/Participant]

Is that right?

You mean the moms sign up to.

Yes, that the women in relationships sign up the day after Mother's Day. No kidding.

[Birch (Host)]

Really?

[Caller/Participant]

So there's a lot of angry.

[Chris (Caller)]

Leave it early.

[Caller/Participant]

Go and shop.

[Birch (Host)]

Hey, Chris. Good Morning. You're on Q100. Hi.

[Erin (Caller)]

Hi, Bert.

[Chris (Caller)]

I just wanted to say this call. As a son of a mother that is in the same shoes that her sons are in, I got a deep conviction of hearing her not getting the presents or the gift that she desired or needed. I'm sorry for her because I do my mom the same way. And getting off work, hearing this and Mother's Day, and I got to work Sunday. I'm sorry for this lady. And the conviction hit me. And I know what it's like not to get something, so.

[Birch (Host)]

So now you're going to go and you're going to treat mom okay this weekend?

[Chris (Caller)]

I am. I hope I can, but I'm at the fire department, so I can't see her. So we're going to do it Saturday.

[Birch (Host)]

Okay.

[Caller/Participant]

Oh, that's good, though.

[Birch (Host)]

It doesn't take much.

[Caller/Participant]

I'm telling you, a guy's a card with a written message in there talking about how much you love her. Can. That is. Can be enough.

[Chris (Caller)]

Let us.

[Birch (Host)]

Let us men give credit to the men before us that have allowed us to set the bar so low for women that it just takes a card right now and wish we're happy, man.

[Caller/Participant]

You're welcome.

[Birch (Host)]

In the world. Thank you, Grandfather. Because for us, it's easy. It's just a card. That's all you gotta do or something like that.

[Caller/Participant]

Yeah.

I mean, I don't know if that helped the situation, but I think that's

[Birch (Host)]

exactly what you just said.

[Caller/Participant]

Well, but it's an. Men don't express themselves. Y' all don't express yourselves. Y' all wanna be cool and hard and everything. Well, if you express yourselves to your mother, that's why it means so much, is because. I mean, it shows that you're making that extra effort for her. And it's all about effort with women. Guys. God, get it.

[Birch (Host)]

She just slapped guys on the face. Right there on the forehead.

[Caller/Participant]

The head. How many times do we have to say this on the show?

[Birch (Host)]

Hey, Aaron, we'll talk to you on Monday morning and find out if you're going on strike or not. Okay.

[Erin (Caller)]

All righty.

[Birch (Host)]

All right. Thanks for calling.

[Chris (Caller)]

Bye.

[Birch (Host)]

Bye. The Birch Show.