[Update: I wrote this post last year, but it struck a chord with lots of you mamas with littles, so I thought I would que it back up for you. I have added some unique gift ideas/printables at the bottom, so be sure to check those out at the end! Lots of love to you this Mother’s Day!]
I’m Sorry, But I Really WOULD Like Something….
Now, I’ll be honest. I think Mother’s Day has a LOT of potential for disappointment. A lot of moms say they “don’t want anything for Mother’s Day,” that they “just want their kids safe and happy.”
Well, I just don’t think that’s FULLY true. Don’t get my wrong! I think that is a HUGE part of what they truly want, but I’m willing to bet that they are not being TOTALLY honest.
Or maybe this is just me?
I’m not trying to be greedy or anything, BUT I AM willing to admit that in my happiest of mommy dreams, I hope for a bit more….
I want a day with amazing behavior! My daughter has been acting like she is 7 going on 17 the last few weeks. (And even for a 17 year old, she’d be a frustrating one!) It has been exhausting remaining patient and grace-filled with her when sometimes I just want to hole up in a closet, close my eyes, and plug my ears to get away from her trying to argue with me. (No, I haven’t done this yet, but if you come over and can’t find me, check the closets….)
Speaking of closets….I would love some time by myself. When you only have one car and are homeschooling, you are never alone. I somehow (stage of life with a toddler), have managed to give the impression that I have an “open door” policy whenever I am in the bathroom. (Clearly we will be working on boundaries as the toddler gets bigger, but for now, if you are a guest in our home, I would lock the bathroom door….)
I would love a handmade card. I like those pictures and sweet little messages to remind me (on hard days) of the MANY blessings that come with being a mommy. In the past, I’ve spent lots of time with my daughter making sure all of the cards for grandmas and great-grandmas get done. I think it’s so important for her to write these messages and think about others and how she can make them feel appreciated and loved. (But since I am the card-making coordinator, it’s a little rare that I actually get one of those handmade cards.)
Jason-this is your turf. (hint, hint!)
(I’ve got you covered in the card department! SEE BELOW for Mother’s Day card printables for grandma or mom!)
I want my husband to surprise me with a date! Note:With childcare pre-arranged. (Can I get an “Amen” from all the mamas who are in charge of this area of date-night-prep!) Now, if you read this post here, you know that our go-to “date” is eating together one night a week after the kids are in bed. (Let’s face it, living on one income that is not salaried requires creativity.) So, to keep this Mother’s Day “date” budget-friendly (ahem, free), maybe the childcare could be used to get out of the house and take a loonng walk alone together at the park and then still have our “free” dinner after the kids are in bed. That actually sounds really nice!
Jason, are you reading this??? I wouldn’t be opposed to flowers either…Ha!
This is a test ladies. I’ll let you know!)
I just want to enjoy my husband and two kiddos. (Just enjoy them with my brain on “shutdown mode,” with no feelings of guilt or anxiety.)
Do you ever feel like you are the “command center” for your family and everything gets filtered through YOU?
I think as women, our brains are CONSTANTLY on the go, constantly thinking, constantly analyzing everything.
The thing I want most for Mother’s Day is to STOP, PAUSE, & REMEMBER. Remember to REALLY look at the blessings of motherhood.
So many women are hurting on Mother’s Day: it’s their first Mother’s Day without their own mother; it’s their first Mother’s Day since they lost a child; it’s another Mother’s Day without a child to call their own….
I really DO realize that I am SO BLESSED. Those moments where I want to hide in the closet? Another woman would LOVE to enter “stage left” and be the mommy I want to be in those situations.
But God, for some reason unknown to me, gave me these two blessings who call me “Mommy,” and on Mother’s Day I really want to pause and appreciate the gift of them. The gift of getting to be their mommy. Mother’s Day is a great day to pause and think about this.
So I’m hoping this Mother’s Day that I can do just that: pause and have some sweet, quiet moments with my family.
BUT…good behavior for the day AND a homemade card….?
I wouldn’t be opposed to that too! (Bonus points to Jason if food or flowers are involved as well.)
Need a Unique Gift Idea?
I have 2 ideas for you to think and pray about. Either of these would be an amazing way to honor a special woman in your life and would also bless other moms and children that are vulnerable and need help desperately. The first is Midwives for Haiti and the second is Yaya’s House. Both are in Haiti. Why Haiti? Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and has the highest maternal death rate. If you choose to donate to one of these, I have a pretty printable that you can place in a card.
Need a Card for the Kids to Make? 
All I hope for is a meal where I can actually sit down the whole time! And a homemade card. And some appreciation and love from my children. Being a mother is tough, but also so wonderful!
It definitely is, Jessica! (And I hear you on the meal thing! Sometimes I think I should get a chair with rollers so I can just slide around and get what everyone asks for! Ha!) It definitely is hard, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! 🙂 Have a happy Mother’s Day!
I love this! I often hold back and say “I don’t care what we do for mother’s day” or “I don’t want anything for mother’s day” but sometimes it is nice to feel appreciated with something simple like a date night or home made card! And it is nice to reflect and remember how blessed we truly are to be a mother and feel stressed out sometimes.
It definitely is nice to feel appreciated, Taylor! I need to stop and smell the “mommy roses” more often! Lots of times (on the inside) it feels like “go, go, go,” and I don’t want to feel like I am racing through childhood with my kiddos! I hope you have a restful Mother’s Day with your family, feel appreciated, and get lots of hugs!
Me too! I have the same request list. Great post. Well I did also buy myself a new console table and said Here’s my Mother’s Day gift from all of you. 😉
That sounds lovely Tracy! What does it look like?! I was looking through Pinterest the other night and realized that I was drooling over a few console tables-all had such pretty vignettes. (A great excuse to have another place to decorate! Ha!) Enjoy your Mother’s Day!
Truth! I want a fun day that everything seems to fall in place. Where my toddler doesnt throw a tantrum and I’m seizure free (epileptic life!) Some days are so perfect i wish i could bottle them up and take them out for special days. Like mothers day.
I hear you with the tantrums Jessica- we are in that phase too! So hard! I am sure it is even harder when you add seizures to the mix. How stressful! You must be a super mama to power on each day! I am sure it isn’t easy! Wishing you a perfect weekend this weekend to celebrate life and motherhood!
Great list! I’ve been a mom for 13 wonderful years and this year my husband blew my expectations out of the water – we are in Sonoma for a long weekend, alone! Hope your day is great Morgan!
As in CALIFORNIA??? Wow! That sounds amazing! I am way over on the other side of the country in VA! What an epic way to spend Mother’s Day! Have an amazing time Kristen! Thanks for stopping by and reading the post!
Loved reading this, sweet friend! Your posts always encourage and make me smile! I hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day this year and got at least one or two of these! 😉
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog, Sharlie! It means so much!