I'm going to date myself here but anyone remember the Simpson's episode where Homer gives Marge a bowling ball for her birthday? The bowling ball HE had been wanting...in HIS size...monogramed with HIS initials? While I wouldn't hold up Homer as an ideal anything, sometimes the most thoughtful children (and spouses) can go horribly wrong leaving mom disappointed and exhausted on a day meant to make her feel loved.
Let's review.
1) Think of HER. Everyone has a mother so lets cover the basics. When your mom has free time, what does SHE like to do? Yes, she does things for the family all of the time and loves it! But when she isn't doing that, what is she doing? Hiking? Reading? Crafting? Protesting or gathering friends for a cause? Or maybe her favorite way to spend an hour is to have a glass of wine with friends. Whatever your mom does when she has no family or work obligations - focus in on THAT! How can you give her a gift that celebrates the woman she is, not just the mother.
2) Flowers are always appreciated but...
the $10 bouquet you bought on the side of the road is the beginning not the end. She will appreciate your thriftiness but not your lack of planning. I'm not saying throw money at her. I'm saying it's one day - just one - to really focus on HER. Don't fill an obligation and move on hoping she'll do your laundry.
3) Spouses of families with kids under 18... she's not your mother but that doesn't mean you don't have a job to do. Remember all the amazing handmade gifts and personalized cards you've gotten from your kids? Guess who was behind that? Sometimes school but mostly it was your child's mom creating time, setting up the supplies and cleaning them up, encouraging thought and time to be put into your card. So return the favor. You have to work extra hard when you have teens who would rather light their hair on fire than spend a day with mom (or anyone in the family). Appeal to their hearts. Have suggestions. Make it easy for them. That's what she would do for you.
4) When you have kids in the house, plan the day. Yup, loads of moms are amazing planners but allow for the possibility she might want a break from that. Have a conversation now about what would make her day special. 80% of moms have the huge responsibility of meal planning and prep in the house so that's a BIG one. As you will find out, this is not a quickie day-of gift. This takes planning and preparation so do the work. Plan 3 meals and execute them. Thats' HUGE! And this is very VERY important: CLEAN UP after every meal. Leave that kitchen and dinning room spotless. And yes, enlist the kids help.
5) Consider giving her a pocket belt to celebrate her style, her intelligence and her independence. Every women needs pockets, especially moms who never stop. Help her keep all the things she needs on her at all times in a stylish and beautiful way. We offer gift cards so she can choose her own casual or formal style and just for mothers day all of our denim pocket belts are %20 off. Free returns means she'll get exactly what she wants.
We'd love to hear your Mother's Day stories! Tell us all about it in the comments!
PS when my kids were really little we had a lovely Mother's Day Tea at their pre-school where we had delicious sweets and read Mother's Day books. The day was adorable but the books were awful! Full of stereotypes and thoughtless kids. And all the moms laughed and smiled in the rueful way that made me believe most moms hate mother's day. If you have young kids, consider this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Like-Noisy-Mom-Likes-Quiet/dp/082495517X/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=mothers+day+books+I+like+noisy&qid=1619967282&sr=8-3
It makes me tear up even to this day with its sweetness. I never liked "quiet" before but that's not the point. The kid thinks of what his mom likes and provides her with a perfect day. Of course, now that i have teenagers I've also come to appreciate quiet!
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
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