Make Mother’s Day Count

Remember Mother’s Day when you were a kid? It probably revolved around your own mom, stepmom, grandmother, aunt or other maternal figure. Then, maybe a mother-in-law or you became an aunt, so there were more people to celebrate.

Once YOU became a mother, you probably realized that juggling Mother’s Day visits should be an Olympic event — or at least a reality TV show. While it’s true you can’t make everyone happy all of the time, you CAN honor all the moms in your life — including yourself — every year on the second Sunday in May. Here are some ideas!

Challenge: So many moms, so little time.

Solution: Change it up.

Who says Mother’s Day should only be celebrated on that specific Sunday in May? Have your stepmom over for dinner one night during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. Then, maybe take your mother-in-law out to dinner the night before. When Sunday rolls around, have your own mom over to hang out, shower her with cards, flowers and little gifts. Serve up a special (or takeout) meal. This way, you can get the best of both worlds on Mother’s Day: being with your own mom and being with the little ones who made YOU a mom.

Challenge: A long-distance maternal relationship.

Solution: Technology!

Thanks to platforms like FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp and Skype, there are plenty of virtual options for connecting with people who don’t live near you for Mother’s Day. You could also make a travel schedule for the holiday — one year at home, one year visiting that special mom figure in your life. If you can, have one of the moms come for a special weekend sleepover at your place or meet somewhere in the middle.

Challenge: You feel selfish and guilty for wanting it to be about you.

Solution: Permission granted.

Once you become a mom yourself, you’re entitled to your own choice about how you want to spend Mother’s Day. You might want to get away for a Saturday spa day or sit around at a coffeehouse on Sunday leisurely reading alone or maybe chat with a friend for a few hours. Other years you might want to hang out around the house all day letting the kids pamper you. Whatever you choose, go with it!

Challenge: Your household inboxes (laundry hamper, kitchen sink, calendar, etc.) are always full.

Solution: Take TODAY off !

Close your eyes as you walk by the sink full of dishes, hold your nose as you stroll by the laundry hamper. Better yet, get your kids involved with helping for the day to give you some much-needed and well-deserved time off from housework. In anticipation of this holiday, make sure you have paper plates and cups on hand for when your family serves you like the queen you are.

Challenge: Your kid is a baby, and your husband can’t cook.

Solution: Go out.

If your husband and kids aren’t quite able to make you breakfast in bed or dinner on Mother’s Day, let them take you to a restaurant. If wrestling with the kids at a restaurant isn’t your style, hit up DoorDash. Make sure you have something indulgent on hand, like little cheesecake bites or a lovely double-chocolate cake because this is the day you get to spoil yourself or be spoiled and not feel one bit guilty!

Challenge: You’re a single mom.

Solution: Enjoy some “me” time.

If you’re parenting solo, hopefully your kids will take over or a trusted adult will assist them in making your day special. If your ex has the kids for the weekend, focus on yourself. The “no housework” rule applies to you, too, sister … Do what you love to do all day long. A few ideas are: head outside or to an indoor track for a walk, read a juicy novel, see a movie, soak in the tub with a bath bomb, hang out with your own mom or other single mom friend.

Mother’s Day is, of course, about mothers! Whatever situation you’re in mom-wise, try to make the day out-of-the-ordinary in some way. You work hard to make sure your children enjoy their own birthdays and other holidays to the fullest, remember that you also deserve to be adored and cherished. It’s all about balance, and it CAN be done!

-Kerrie McLoughlin