The Mother Metamorphosis...I'm Turning Into My Mum!

BRADFORD, England, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Research released today has pinpointed 32 as the age at which we're most likely to turn into our mothers.

According to the poll of 1,000 British men and women, conducted by Hallmark Cards as part of the Mother's Day Cards for a Cure™ campaign, which for over the last 5 years has seen the company donate a total of 1.25 million pounds Sterling to breast cancer charities, has revealed that 48% of the nation believe that they're turning into their mum, with the top five indicators being:

1. Worrying more
2. Stocking up on groceries
3. Going to bed early
4. Being more outspoken
5. Watching soaps and drama

Using mum's favourite sayings is yet another sign of mother metamorphosis, a trait that over half of Brits have grown fond over the years.  Not surprising, when you see that over a third of Brits look up to their mums as the most inspirational figure in their lives.

The top 10 most popular mum phrases highlighting the transformation were voted as:

1. What did your last slave die of?
2. Close the door, you weren't born in a barn
3. I can't hear myself think
4. It will all end in tears
5. It will all come out in the wash
6. Who's 'she', the cat's mother?
7. You'll catch your death in that
8. Don't make a face like that, if the wind changes you'll stay like that
9. You don't get a pudding if you don't eat your mains
10. You don't know you're born

Such phrases are most likely to come out when talking to our children, with 39% admitting to using their mums' expressions with their kids and a quarter of respondents even claiming to talk this way with their partners.

Tamsyn Johnston-Hughes, CSR Manager at Hallmark, said: "We conducted this research as part of Hallmark's Cards for a Cure™ Mother's Day preparation to explore just how strong the bond with our mothers can be.

"And, as the research shows, it seems we've taken that bond to a whole new level by becoming a mini-me style version of our mothers, copying their exact movements and phrases.

"Like it or not, it's no surprise that we mirror our mothers in this way, especially when 37% of the population hold their mothers up as the most inspirational person in their life. I have to admit, I've noticed my mother in quite a few of my actions recently so it's a good job I think the world of her too!"

Unsurprisingly, women are far more likely to go through the mother metamorphosis with two thirds of women feeling that they are turning into their mums compared to just one third of men. However, almost half of men still revert to using their mothers' phrases when needed.

The majority of Brits will only revert to the words of their mother when scorning or telling people off but many also admitted to doing so when looking after their loved ones or talking to themselves!

Accepting the inevitable comes more easily for some than others. In fact, over a quarter of Brits have come to terms with the fact they're turning into their mum. And, although 15% are happy about the metamorphosis, 17% of respondents insist on fighting the change.

And, when it comes to spotting the tell-tale signs, we're not always the first person to notice. In fact, over a fifth of those surveyed said that it was their partner that had noticed certain motherly habits creeping in.

As far as celebs go, the most renowned stars for turning into their mothers (as voted by the nation) are:

1. Liza Minnelli – daughter of Judy Garland
2. Zara Philips – daughter of Princess Anne
3. Lourdes Ciconne – daughter of Madonna
4. Kate Hudson – daughter of Goldie Hawn
5. Sylvester Stallone – son of Jackie Stallone

For more information about Hallmark Cards, the Cards for a Cure™ Campaign and to buy a Mother's Day Card online visit http://www.hallmark.co.uk.

For more information please contact Rebecca, Janine, Lucy, Louise or Matthew on 0113 243 1117 or email [email protected].

Notes to Editors

Hallmark

Established in the UK in 1958, Hallmark Cards is the UK's leading greeting card company. As well as greeting cards, Hallmark also produces related products such as wrapping paper, gift bags, social stationery, and gift products. Producing a wide range of cards for every occasion, Hallmark has a number of licencees including Disney, Warner Brothers, Purple Ronnie, LEGO® and Forever Friends.

www.hallmark.co.uk is packed with thousands of card designs covering all occasions, including a range of personalised cards.

Cards for a Cure

Cards for a Cure™ is a joint venture between Hallmark and the Breast Cancer Campaign which sees Hallmark raising both funds and awareness for Action Breast Cancer.

This year, for the fifth year running, Hallmark and its customers will be making their annual 250,000 pounds donation to Breast Cancer Campaign and Action Breast Cancer, which is done each year irrespective of card sales. Over the last five years the company has donated a total of 1.25 million pounds to the charity to fund vital breast cancer research projects, at centres across the UK and Ireland, as they continue to search for breakthrough prevention treatments and ultimately a cure for this life-changing disease.

Follow Hallmark online:

• Web: www.Hallmark.co.uk
• Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/HallmarkUK
• Twitter; www.twitter.com/hallmarkcards
• YouTube; www.Youtube.com/Hallmarkvideo
• Flickr; @Hallmark_UK
• Blog; www.Hallmark.co.uk/blog

Established in the UK in 1958, Hallmark Cards is the UK's leading greeting card publisher. Choose, Personalise and Buy a Hallmark Greetings Card from 1000's available online right now. Send eCards from our huge range or find out what's going on In Store. As well as greeting cards, Hallmark also produces related products such as wrapping paper, gift bags, social stationery, and gift products, birthday cards, easter cards, fathers day cards, personalised cards, wedding cards, personalised birthday cards, anniversary cards, mothers day cards, engagement cards, good luck cards. Hallmark has a number of licencees including Disney, Warner Brothers, Purple Ronnie, LEGO® and Forever Friends.

SOURCE Hallmark Cards