Mother's Day cards reflect changes in our view of motherhood

Mother's Day cards reflect all sorts of changes in motherhood, including two-mom households, women who are "like a mom," and women whose children have four legs (mostly dogs and cats). Call them "fur moms." Other card trends:

Most moms work outside of the home, as well as inside it. More than 70 percent of mothers work or are seeking work, according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"You do the work of 10 people or 1 mom /and I'm so grateful"(Hallmark).

The number of American mothers is shrinking. Nearly 48 percent of women between age 15 and 44 have never had children, according to the 2014 census; that's up from 46.5 percent in 2012 and represents the highest percentage of childless/child-free women since the Census Bureau started tracking such data in 1976.

"The Happiest Three Words in the Human Language: I'm Not Pregnant! Happy Not Mother's Day!" (SomeeCards).

The number of single dads is growing. The number of single-father households has risen about ninefold since 1960, according to Pew, from less than 300,000 to more than 2.6 million in 2011.

"Happy Mother's Day, Dad. Thanks for being my everything" (Emily McDowell).

"To a Super Mom flying solo … you're amazing!" (Papersource).

Grandparents continue to step up to the plate. Approximately 2.4 million grandparents are raising 4.5 million children, usually because the biological parents are unable to do so. In Minnesota, more than 68,000 kids are cared for by a grandparent or other older relative, which is an increase of 40 percent since 2000, according to the Minnesota Board on Aging.

"You've always been like a mother to me. Thank you." (9th Letter Press).

Acknowledgment that a mother-child bond needs mending. Many lines now offer "estrangement" cards.

"One thing will never change. I'll always love you." (Hallmark).