Okay ladies, this is going to require you to do some work. While you are the one actually reading this now, this one is really for your partner! So after you read this, casually leave it on your phone for your significant other to stumble across.
First things first, Mother’s Day is this week. Mark your calendars, clear your schedules, and if you take nothing else from this article, please don’t forget this day. We get one day; one day for the women who birthed your children, fold your underwear, and send your moms a card.
So, what do we really want for Mother’s Day?
NOTHING!
You heard it right, we really want NOTHING. When I say nothing, I don’t mean don’t do absolutely anything for her. But I do mean we want nothing!
Cards
If you show up with a card, we know darn well you probably ran to the store after you remembered you needed something for her. Don’t waste your time, we really don’t need one.
Flowers
Flowers are a nice gesture, but they’re expected, easy, and therefore lose their meaning. Send flowers on days that don’t matter. Send them out of the blue and send them “just because. ” When they arrive on unexpected days, the life expectancy of said flowers dramatically increases. We are so appreciative that we give them love and attention at least for a day or two.
Home-Made Cards / Gifts from the Kids
First of all, these don’t count as a gift from you! We know they are coming. Oh boy, is it sweet. To see the pride in their eyes as they present us with their homemade macaroni necklace or footprint heart. It makes our heart literally skip a beat. We love the pure joy on their face as we panic trying to figure out what the picture actually is, all while praising them for being the best little artist.
But you know what happens after we get these wonderful gifts? We are held hostage! If we throw them away a few days later and the kids see them in the trash, we have shattered their entire world. We have to hold out for days before running them to a dumpster outside minutes before the garbage man comes.
You guys think we are exaggerating, don’t you? I dare you to look our children in the face after giving you a scribble on scratch paper that is supposed to be you looking at the sun and throw it away in front of them. You will never do it again! With that being said, we do love those little buggers and we only have this day because of them, so bring on the noodles and hearts! But for the love of God help her dispose of these (secretly).
Jewelry
If you are going to buy your wife jewelry for Mother’s Day, I won’t stop you! My only suggestion is to take the time to see what she really likes, because there is nothing that makes us feel more guilty than getting a beautiful piece of jewelry from you that we KNOW cost a pretty penny, but won’t really wear.
Date Night Out
Can I tell you what happens when you so lovingly plan a date night out? It stresses us out! Let me lay this out for you: even if you schedule a sitter ahead of time, we still have to double check to know when they are coming, write out the schedule for the little ones, meal prep, lay out jammies, and find time to change out of our drool-stained sweats, strap on the Spanx and attempt to get ready. By the time the date night actually happens we are exhausted, which is then followed by a 15 minute exit strategy to avoid a meltdown.
Are you still with me, guys? Do we sound high maintenance? Trust me it’s not that, it’s just that a day all about us sounds exhausting!
So, what do we really want for Mothers Day?
Nothing!
We are so thankful every day to have earned the title of mom, but we are tired. Tired of not only taking care of those precious gems that gave us that title, but we are tired of doing all.the.things.
So here is the best gift you can give us:
The day before said holiday, pick up the house, do the dishes, finish up the laundry, and do all the things. The next day (ahem, Mother’s Day), load up the kids and go do something outside for a few hours. As you are walking out the door, hand her a cup of coffee (or wine, I mean it is a holiday!) and tell her that her only instructions are to sit and finish a whole cup of hot coffee, read a book or watch a show, take a warm bubble bath, or do whatever her mom heart desires.
The best part is that because you did all the things the night before she is actually going to enjoy this time!
Now, of course she may be tempted to peak her head outside or text to see if you went somewhere, but give her a couple hours ALONE. Despite her pleas on the hard days for a week-long vacation away, she really only wants a couple of hours. You will come home, she will be refreshed and thankful for that time you have given her to recharge, and she will be so happy to see the little stinkers that really do fill her heart (and you, too).
You will be a knight in shining armor for giving the mother of your children exactly what she wanted without even asking for it.
You can thank me later after you see how happy your kiddos’ mom is.
Happy Mother’s Day, mamas!
