Mother's Day Ideas
So here’s the thing…I don’t need help thinking of things to do for my mother on Mother’s Day – that comes easily to me. However; now that I am a mother of young children myself, I would love the day to be a little bit more about my needs. Neither my five year old, nor my one year old know how to provide this for me (yet), so, this is a list of ideas for any partners, or friends, of mothers with young children who were wondering either ‘what to do?’, or ‘do I skip it?’. I can very confidently tell you not to skip it, and that gestures of appreciation on this day are very much, well, appreciated. So - without further ado…here’s a list to select from:
A lie-in
Wake up with the children and take them as far away from your sleeping mumma, as possible. Don’t let her hear a single squeal until at least 9am
Breakfast in bed
When she has awoken, have breakfast ready. OR if she hasn’t woken, lovingly take the children to greet her with a cup of tea/coffee & breakfast in bed. This needn’t be extravagant, a pastry will suffice. Once breakfast has been presented and morning kisses and cuddles delivered, again - leave mumma, in peace, to start her day/get ready.Get the kids to decorate/write a Mother’s Day card
That’s a special momento and cross-section in time she will probably keep until she’s old. Don’t rob her of that by not orchestrating a little craft/handwriting.Run a bath / give her the time to enjoy a bath in peace
If you’re really clever here, you have the opportunity to provide mumma with some special bath products here. I used to think my mum was bonkers when I’d ask her what she’d like for her birthday/Christmas/Mother’s Day — and she’d reply with ‘some special bubble bath’…now I totally get it. Make sure it’s peaceful; hearing the kids screaming in earshot, is not peaceful. If in doubt, take them to the park.Tidy up
She will (most likely) love it if you and the kids tidy up - either for her appearance first thing, or throughout the day. While you do it, have mumma’s favourite magazine, book or ipad ready so she can just relax with a cuppa/glass of wine on the sofa while you guys do the tidy. Seeing mess after your morning with the children will undo all the relaxation.Print that picture of her with her kids, get it framed
Likelihood is, you’ll have a gorgeous photo of her with her kids. Likelihood is, you’ve also never printed it. Send it to print - there are companies that even offer framing.Plan an afternoon out as a family
Give mumma the opportunity to enjoy a family afternoon out (no morning rush, please), so she can enjoy a day with her kids with absolutely no responsibility. You pack the snacks/nappy bags/wellies. You organise tickets/travel/directions/food. Let her be the passenger.Plan an afternoon in as a family
As the energy prices rocket, there may just not be the budget for any fancy-pants frippery. Instead a humble day at home with a few, relaxed, planned activities can be lovely. It’s the perfect time of year for prepping the garden for summer — buy some seeds/bulbs and spend a day in the garden with some homemade snacks/drinks. If the kids are old enough, create a home spa. Have afternoon tea - scones are extraordinarily cheap and easy to make - here’s a tried and tested favourite recipe if you’re stuck…otherwise companies such as Cutter & Squidge offer afternoon tea delivered.Send her off for a treatment, or two
If you’ve got the budget (and mum dependent), a treatment at a local spa/beauty treatment rooms usually hits the spot. A couple of hours away, alone, makes a mumma a much better mumma.Cook or book Sunday lunch
You may have already realised…but today, the family’s meal plan is definitely your operation. It doesn’t have to be crazy/stylish/amazing but the effort and plan needs to be in place. Either have a reservation sorted, or have everything ready for cooking. If you are no cook, then check out https://www.cookfood.net and where they stock their meals - or order online. No excuses! Make sure you have her favourite tipple too.Don’t forget to invite her mumma/your mumma
If the relationships are good, remember that it might be nice to invite your mums to lunch/afternoon tea. This isn’t essential as Mumma has probably already thought to sort hers, but facilitating/offering to include is a nice and welcome thought.Sort your own mother’s card/treat/gift
I know friends that have given up organising their partner’s family birthday gifts etc. and that, it often means their partner’s family do not get birthday gifts/Mother’s Day/Father’s Day cards etc. I’d be so sad if my kids consistently forgot me. Here’s a reminder not to do that.