Happy Mother’s May! (stolen from a friend who believes we moms should be celebrated all month long!) The big day is almost here. It’s obvious because the average price of greeting cards has skyrocketed. Pink and frou frou and flowers adorn TV commercials, websites and store displays. Husbands and children haven’t quite gone into panic mode yet, but it’s coming. Does she need jewelry, flowers, a book or a coffee mug? What gift best says “thanks for feeding me, changing my diapers, depleting your savings and driving me to practice every day” (among a million and one other things).
I decided to poll my mom friends and this is what I asked them: “If you could choose your own Mother’s Day present, what would it be?” Some of the responses you won’t find surprising at all. But the one thing that struck me was the lack of a single material possession on the list. Makes my deep set desire for a Louis Vuitton purse seem a tad shallow 😉 And I just had to double check the spelling on Vuitton which probably means I’m not as big of a fan as I think. But whatever.
All the responses I received fall in 8 basic categories. So if it helps you, here are the top 8 things moms of all ages really want for Mother’s Day (in order of popularity):
- The Day Off. And that doesn’t necessarily mean a day without the rest of the family – just the absence of household chores. No cooking. We want someone else to prepare or decide what we will partake in. Several wanted someone else to clean the house, and one mom of tweens just wanted the kids’ rooms cleaned without having to threaten them! Preach.
- An experience. These varied depending on the individual interests of the mom. One wanted a membership to the Dallas Arboretum, one a family paddle board adventure, one a lazy river with the kiddos, and one a just a getaway (open to where) with her brood.
- A nap. Yep. Just a nap ranked #3! One new mom did ask for a full day to sleep. Bless.
- A spa day. This one actually tied with naps for number of votes and took several different forms – massage, mani/pedi, or gift certificate to a favorite place.
- Time. This one was particularly popular with moms of older kids (when the children are small, mom is smothered in quality time). And one sweet military wife wants time with her husband, who is deployed. If I could I would send all my gifts to this hero mom.
- Letters from children. No one said an expensive card with a poem written by someone else. We want to hear in our children’s own words how they feel about us. Or memories they have. Hopefully mine is over that argument we had yesterday before she puts pen to paper.
- Coffee or breakfast in bed. This probably piggy backs on the whole “day off” concept in that we aren’t fixing our own breakfast and we get to stay in bed a little longer. Also, it’s just a little acknowledgment that today is different – special.
- And last, an updated photo of everyone. This request might apply more to moms of older kids as well. Wrangling a bunch of littles for a pic sounds exhausting. But you do you.
I think this list can be boiled down to one word. Appreciation. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money (unless you are going to Louis Vuitton), mom just wants to know that you see her. You notice how hard she works and the sacrifices she makes to run the household and raise the kids. She wants to know you are grateful. No grand gestures necessary. Just do a little something thoughtful and say “I love you.”
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” Proverbs 31:28
Help all the scrambling dads and kids out there by adding to the conversation. If you are a mom, what do you want for Mother’s Day?
My mum always used to say that she wanted 3 good girls for mother’s day when we asked what she wanted when I was a child #trafficjamweekend@_karendennis
Perfect!
Hi, Lauren! I love this list…especially because I had JUST decided to give my mom and my MIL an “experience” for Mother’s Day this year. You confirmed that instinct beautifully! I’m so glad you found me via #FridayFrivolity so I could find you. Headed over to check out your FB page now! Happy Mother’s May! 😉
Happy Mother’s May, Elizabeth. You obviously have excellent taste!
I loved reading some of the things other moms want! Happy to be your neighbor at Susan’s link up.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Two of the best Mother’s Day presents I ever got:
– a surprise visit from my son who lives in Oregon (we live in PA). He just showed up at a friend’s house when we were there for a party.
– all 3 of my boys taking me for a hike to look for birds (they know I am a birdwatcher).
Yes, time and appreciation.
Sounds like you have some thoughtful boys! Thanks for sharing, Laurie.
My kind of Mother’s day especially the day off and sleeping in for as long as I want. #lgrtstumble
Thanks for visiting.
Great ‘real’ mother’s day gifts – a few years ago I couldn’t think what to buy my mum, realising she only really wanted my time, so I surprised her at church for the Mothering Sunday service – she was thrilled! Time with anyone is the most precious gift you can give. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Great idea!
A lie in would be perfect for me, nothing more, nothing less X #LGRTstumble
I hear ya!
I love every single one of these ideas, Lauren. Sharing on Twitter and Pinterest!
Thank you, Sarah!
I always used to tell my children that I wanted obedient children for Mother’s Day. Of course, I knew they couldn’t be all the time, but I didn’t really want things. I just wanted to be with my kids. Blessings to you!
Lauren – Great top 8 list – and Yes, I can say as a mom , I would love anyone of those 8 items if not more (is it too much to ask for all 8 ? LOL) Also, I like the idea of celebrating all month long – I always try to do that for my birthday month, but never thought of it for Mother’s Day! Brilliant – just brilliant.
Thank you so much for the great post, we are neighbors over at #TeaAndWord Linkup this week
If you are celebrating all month long I think you can definitely have all 8! Thanks for reading, Debbie!
What fantastic answers! Yes, a day off was always at the top of my list when my kids were at home. 🙂 Now it’s just to get to actually see or talk with my kids on that day. Which I will get to do this year, Lord willing.
Here’s to just what you want this year!
All of those sound really awesome! A spa day and a day at the river with the kids is in my top 5 🙂 #LGRTStumble
Hope your Mother’s Day is great!
Fantastic list, Lauren. And I agree with every single one of ’em. Especially the spa day. *wink* Have a blessed Mother’s Day yourself!
U too Penelope!
Skip the presents here. i tell my kids that all I want is for us to be together (my kids are grown and beginning to scatter – only 2 still left at home) … and not to have to cook! 🙂 I guess that’s #1 & #5. I also love the request for letters. I would take all those I could get! thanks!
Thanks for reading, Karen.
I love that you polled the audience on this! What a great idea.
Great thoughts.
Thanks, Susan!
Such a sweet list! Definitely some of these things on my list. Now that two of my kids are adults our time together is much more limited and I always miss having them all together on Mother’s day.
Thanks for reading, Shelly!
Great post! I would like quality time with my girls (they are all adults & mothers now, rarely do I get to actually see then on Mother’s day as 2 of them live 1,000km away) & recognition for all the hard work over the years would be lovely :)…
You may enjoy my post Mama Guilt
You’re welcome to drop by for a cup of inspiration anytime!
Jennifer
I have one moving hundreds of miles away this month, so I guess I’ll find out how hard that is :(. Thank you for visiting.
Hi Lauren!
Thank you so much for sharing this at the #GraceMoments Link Up last week. I am going to be featuring your post as one of my favorites. I love the list and the ideas that are so real yet so invaluable, too. You are right, we just want to be the one whose children rise up and bless. 🙂 That is a perfect verse for this special day of celebrating mothers. May you find yourself blessed by your people all May long.
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you so much, Dawn! I am honored.
What a fun idea to take a poll. And, love the results! Funny, last night I got a call from my oldest saying he’d be home for Mother’s Day, that he had to work Sunday, so he’d have to leave after he got off (he lives 3 hrs. away), and then would have to get back on the road by 10 pm b/c he has to work Mon, and has classes as well. — Well, the funny part is that my husband had texted him and asked him if he could surprise me on Sunday by coming home. haha. Guess he took it to mean he could surprise me by letting me know he’s coming home. hehe. (Think I must just see if we can go to him, though, because I hate for him to exhaust himself, and—He lives at the beach! Mother’s Day at the beach sounds perfect to me! 🙂 ) — Honestly, to answer your question, all I want is time as well. My kids are older, and I just love doing stuff with them, and it’s such a gift to have all of them with me at the same time. That happens so rarely anymore. We moms are easy to please! — Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, Lauren! ♥
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Brenda!
No cooking or cleaning. An experience or just time together. I always tell my girls(12 and 9) that I just want them to get along. They would rather buy a gift though!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day Sarah!
What a great list! Love it! For years a nap was all I wanted!!! lol! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thanks, Lori!