Pal-o'-mine's Day

• The husband who allows me to overindulge in the food and beverage department, and then keeps quiet when I can't fit into my pants.

• The person sitting in front of me and my children on a crowded airplane who stops one of my children from kicking his seat by making a puppet out of his napkin, keeping my son entertained for at least five minutes -- and who does so without saying "you have to keep them entertained or they'll get bored" while you struggle with a 10 pound backpack full of 'entertaining (and un-used) items' for the flight.

• The hockey/soccer/baseball/sportball coach who plays all the children, makes them laugh, and has the kids not knowing or caring about who won the game or scored the goals.

• The friends who insist you need a night out, drive you there, tell you how fabulous you look, and have at least one piece of nasty gossip to share about your arch-enemy on the school council.

• The trainer at the gym who doesn't smirk when you struggle with a weight machine you are clearly not familiar with.

• The boss who smiles and tells you that he doesn't know "how you do it"; instead of insisting that attending the meeting on "Cheap and Cheerful Cost Cuts" should take precedence over attending a school field trip.

• The neighbourhood Dad who flirts harmlessly with you at the park, making you feel like you're not just "somebody's mother" for a little while. (If he's one of the "hot Dads" in the 'hood, and not that guy with the black socks and white runners, you really win.)

• Anyone, anywhere, who says these words to you "But you're so tiny", "Your children were so well behaved", "Your husband is a lucky man", "You must have had your first child when you were 18", and "Have another bite; you can afford it".

So ladies join with me in taking over this over-used holiday and put it to work for you. Save the romance for when you really need it -- Mother's Day perhaps.