Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you favor lots of festivities or a quiet day, what can you do to make your celebration special?
Perhaps leaving all the planning to your husband and/or kids works perfectly. However, for many moms, doing just a little legwork can make the day even better. Here are some options:
- Give yourself a day off. Some might consider this a no-brainer, but it’s not always so easy, especially if you’re the one responsible for most of the household chores. Give yourself a deadline of Saturday afternoon to do whatever tasks have to be done before Monday, even if it means a couple extra loads of laundry or cooking ahead. Don’t spend one moment of Mother’s Day doing chores.
- Make a memory. Do something to commemorate this year as a mom. Dress everyone in coordinating outfits and take a picture with your children, make handprints together, write down your favorite thing about this point in your children’s lives, or about your experience as a mother right now. Any of these will help this Mother’s Day stand out for you down the road, and might begin a nice tradition.
- Do you have a creatively challenged husband? Team up with a friend. You help her little ones make special cards for her, she takes your kids and does the same. Everyone gets nice little surprises, everyone has fun.
- Don’t expect your family to read your mind. If you want to go out to a fancy brunch or dinner (if reservations are still available), let your wishes be known. Ditto if you want a completely low-key day hanging out at home, taking a long bath or sitting down to finally watch a show you recorded two months ago.
- Do what you can to be extra nice to yourself this week. Pick a mascot for yourself – Wonder Woman? Wilma Flintstone? June Cleaver? – and tape her picture to your mirror to make you smile each time you see it. Treat yourself to your favorite latte. Tell yourself every morning that you’re a fabulous mom…and believe it.
Mother’s Day is your day, a time to feel good about your accomplishments, enjoy a little R&R (Rest & Relaxation, Rock & Roll, you pick), and take pride in knowing that you have the most important job in the world. Happy Mother’s Day!
Your assignment: Think about what would make this Mother’s Day particularly special for you; give yourself some extra time off, make time for a favorite family activity or look for ways to be especially nice to yourself. Whatever you come up with, make your wishes known and have a wonderful day!
