Have you seen Mom? Yes, Mom is taking the day off. She doesn’t want to cook, clean, drive, or delegate. She doesn’t want to hear any whining, complaining, or fighting. And for one day, she wants someone else to take care of her.
Being a mother is a gift. It really is. But it’s also the kind of gift that comes with responsibilities, expectations, sacrifice, and patience. Oh, so much patience. I think most moms would agree there is no greater joy in life than their children. But it takes a lot of time, energy, effort, and love to keep her people alive and well. So, when the calendar gives them a designated day to celebrate all the incredible things they do, I think it’s okay if mom picks out what she wants (or doesn’t want) to do that day. After all, there are still 364 other days when she reports for duty.
Mom doesn’t want to set an alarm. And she doesn’t want to get up to take care of the kids in the morning. If the kids are old enough, then she wants to sleep without disturbance. Bonus: if the kids don’t even come in the bedroom
Mom doesn’t want to make breakfast. And she doesn’t want the kids making it either. While the sentiment is sweet, she doesn’t want cold eggs, soggy cereal, and another mess she must clean up. Consider grabbing her a delicious pastry from Bakery on Main or a specialty coffee from Ruby Roost. Bonus: if you don’t even need to ask her what kind
Mom doesn’t want to make lunch. But she might want some quality time enjoying brunch or lunch with her family. This means making reservations in advance and simply telling her the time so she knows when to be ready. Try Winchester & Rye or Lola’s Lakehouse. Bonus: if the kids promise not to fight while you’re out
Mom wants a nap or some uninterrupted time alone to relax or read. Let her pick out a new book at Chapter One and allow her to find her favorite spot to get cozy and curl up. Bonus: if you leave the house and give her all the quiet spaces
Mom wants to buy something cute for herself. Shopping alone is such a treat for a mom, so drop her off outside The Stash or Nice Shirt Co. and allow her to browse the shops she’d like to visit at her own leisurely pace. Bonus: if you slipped her a gift card alongside breakfast
We don’t know what Mother Nature has in store, but if the day is bright and beautiful, Mom might want to sip a mimosa or a glass of wine outside. Take her to Schram Vineyards for some charcuterie, cocktails, and acoustic tunes. Bonus: if you coordinate with some of her other mom friends to meet her there
Mom wants a thoughtful gesture like flowers or her favorite treat, a handwritten note, or a homemade gift. Bonus: it’s followed by a really good hug
But most of all, Mom wants to know that you appreciate her. You love her. And you wouldn’t be the person you are today without her.
If the mom in your life doesn’t want any of these things, that’s okay, too. It’s her day. Ask her what she’d like to do. And if she says, “nothing,” she means it. Let her rest, relax, and recharge. Bonus: you already have something lined up that lets her know how special she is
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms, single moms, step-moms, bonus moms, fur-moms, grandmas, aunts, and other women who play a mother-like role in your life. Let them know you love them and appreciate the things that they do!
Being a mother is a gift. It really is. But it’s also the kind of gift that comes with responsibilities, expectations, sacrifice, and patience. Oh, so much patience.