Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Julie

How To Keep Kids Busy This Summer, Even When You Are On a Budget

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Summer is here and you might be trying to figure out what to do with your kids for their time off from school. Yes, there are camps and classes that you could sign them up for, but those all cost money, sometimes a lot of it.

If you are on a tighter budget, you have to be careful about how much you spend during the summer. You need to find cheap and free ways to keep them busy.

You really don’t have to spend a fortune each summer just keep your kids entertained. There is a lot you can do in your home and in your own community without having to break the bank. Take a look at some of these ideas, and see what works for your family.

How To Keep Kids Busy This Summer, Even When You Are On a Budget

Water Fun

Kids love water and there are many ways to get your kids in water without spending too much. A splash park is a great way to spend some time in the hot sun. You might find one at a park or even a shopping center.

Bring a sack lunch, plenty of towels, and your kids, and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon staying cool for very little cost. Invite some friends and have a fun playdate.

If you have a community pool you can use free of charge, take advantage of that. If you have to pay, check and see about a summer pass. Sometimes buying one of those will save you a lot of money all summer long. Our city pool offers a military discount on a pool pass.

If nothing else you can set up a sprinkler or a kiddie pool in your own yard.

Nature Hikes

Kids love to explore and what better way to do that than on a nature hike. Make sure to put on your bug spray, bring lots of water, and bring your camera for photos along the way. Check with your local park system to see if they have any guided hikes during the summer. Make sure you stay on the trails and don’t go anywhere you feel is unsafe.

You can also go on a more casual walk around your neighborhood or other community location. If your kids are old enough, have them bring their bike or a scooter. You can spend the whole day out walking and riding bikes. Just don’t forget to apply the sunscreen.

Cheap Movies

If you have a dollar theater, make sure to check out what kid’s movies they have playing. If you don’t, your regular theater might have a special kids program during the summer with free or $1 movies. They might be older ones that your kids have already seen, but it can give them the movie experience without having to spend too much.

You might also check and see if your city has a movies in the park night where they show a movie on a big screen after the sun goes down. That can be a lot of fun for everyone in the family. They are usually free and you would just need to bring a picnic dinner for your family as well as a nice blanket or chairs to sit on.

Camping

If you are wanting to take your family on vacation, camping is the most affordable option, assuming you already have a lot of the camping gear. If you don’t, you might be able to rent from a Gear to Go on your military installation. Campsites are not too expensive and you can have a lot of fun being in the outdoors. If you don’t want to leave your home, you could also camp out in the backyard.

Host a Play Date

Why not host a play date in your home once a week? You could also do a themed playdate. Such as water or food fun.

Meet up with other parents and plan to rotate houses during the summer. Your kids will love the playtime with friends and you can have some adult time with the parents.

You could go on Pinterest and find some fun crafts for the kids to do. There are plenty of ideas out there. Once a week you could also host a craft day. Everyone who comes can bring the supplies and you can all work on them together.

Annual Passes

A yearly pass will cost you money upfront, but it might be worth doing so. You can get passes to the zoo, science center, amusement park, or the local gym. Find out what would be best for your own family and think about how often you would go.

If you know you want to spend a lot of time at the zoo, getting a pass to the zoo will allow you to go for “free” all summer long. Check for specials or discounts before you pay for the pass. Also, make sure to check for blackout dates so you don’t plan a trip on a day you won’t be able to get in with your pass.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of activities you can do during the summer without having to break the bank. What would you add to this list?

18 Military Spouse Deployment Quotes to Get You Through the Hard Days

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18 Military Spouse Deployment Quotes to Get You Through the Hard Days

Sometimes, hearing inspiring military spouse deployment quotes can be just what you need to get through a difficult deployment day.

Over the years, military life has changed. From the way you PCS to how TRICARE works. But one thing that always seems true is that service members will be deployed.

While things are different from when my husband re-joined the military in 2005, military spouses are still saying goodbye to their loved ones for deployments and other times apart. Military spouses are still having to live without their partner for months at a time. Military spouses are still figuring out how to get through deployments.

Sometimes, hearing a good quote or truth about military life can be just what you need to get through a difficult deployment day.

Here are 18 military spouse deployment quotes that can do just that. I hope that they help you get through the next day, next week, or even month of your deployment. I hope that you can remember them during your more difficult days, and be inspired.

Deployments are not easy, and we could use all the help we military spouses can get to get through them.

Military Spouse Deployment Quotes to Get You Through the Next Deployment

The end of a deployment is a good time to try something new. A new hobby, a new habit, or a new way of doing something. Mix it up a bit, that will help the time go by a bit faster.

Sometimes you have to take your current struggle one day at a time. Other times you have to take it an hour at a time.

The best types of friends are those who let you vent about deployments, bring you boxes when you PCS, and help you laugh about life as a military spouse.

You will find that the first and last month of the deployment are the hardest. Do what you can to make it through the deployment days and homecoming will be your reward.

Whenever I feel like I can’t accomplish something, I think about how I solo parented three children, for nine months, and only lost my mind, 55.5 times.

Military spouses are strong not because we are made of something else. We are strong because we have to be. Because history wanted us to fill this role and we decided we could do it.

We wait, we love, we hope, we pray…until they are back in our arms again.

Take your deployment one week at a time…one day at a time…one hour at a time.

You might go a few weeks feeling like you got this and then hit a period of time when you feel like you can’t. The important thing is to “just keep swimming.”

Don’t base the status of your life on a bad deployment day. Those days come and then they go. They do not last forever!

When time stands still, think of something to focus on. Go for a walk, dive into a book, or call a friend. You got this!!!

Use a deployment for a time to explore. Get out and do something you and your kids have never done before. Don’t be afraid to make memories. Don’t be afraid to have fun just because one parent is away.

Solo parenting got you down? Pick your cure: 1) A tub of ice cream, 2) a glass of wine, 3) a binge-worthy Netflix show, 4) all of the thee above x 2.

Not all military children handle a deployment in the same way. You know your child, do what is best for them.

The pre-deployment period is going to be stressful…make time for one another, be understanding, and try not to worry too much about the future.

Roses are red, violets are blue, deployments suck, that much is true.

Don’t ever think you have to be the “perfect” military spouse. Be you. Life is easier that way.

If you have just started a deployment and feel a bit lost, remember you are not the only one going through this. So many other military spouses have done the same. Take these military spouse deployment quotes to help you through.

What helps you the most when you are going through a deployment?

10 Places You Must Add to To Your New Military Duty Station Checklist

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10 Places You Must Add to To Your New Military Duty Station Checklist

10 Places You Must Find When You First Get To Your New Military Duty Station

The day after we flew into Germany my husband had to go to work. He left about 5am in the morning. I was so tired that day and the world seemed like a dream. Jet lag is no joke and I was going through it with my 18-month-old. I wanted to get out and explore but I was a bit nervous about doing so. Imagine my surprise when my husband got home that night and told me the Commissary was just a short walk from our apartment.

When you first move to a new duty station, everything is going to be new. Even if you have lived on a military base before, you don’t know your new one yet.

Here are 10 places you should find when you first get to your new military duty station. Add them to your new military duty station checklist

1. The Commissary- You are going to want to know where you can buy groceries at your new duty station. If you are in the US, you will be able to get American food off-post as well. If you are stationed overseas, you probably won’t and you will want to know where to go to get it. Once you figure that out you should explore local groceries because you can find some fun regional foods there to add to your weekly shopping.

2. The PX- The PX/BX is like a Walmart but on a military post and tax-free. They have furniture, snacks, drinks, clothing, toys and more. Find out where the PX is and if there is more than one. Our first duty station had a small PX and a PXExtra in a different location.

3. The Library- Finding the library is a good idea. You can get things set up so you can check out books and if you have kids you can find out about story time or any programs they might offer. Most duty stations have one and then you should also see what the local off-post community has to offer as well.

4. The Chapel- If you are religious, you are going to want to find the chapel. They might offer other programs such as MOPS, PWOC, and AWANA. Some chapels also offer a VBS in the summertime. Chapels don’t just have Protestant Christian services but also provide worship times for a variety of religious beliefs.

5. ACS- ACS stands for “Army Community Service.” ACS provides a lot for people getting ready for a deployment, during deployment and post-deployment. They can also offer you information on FRGs, education, financial advice, relocation information and volunteer opportunities. The ACS will also host a lot of events. ACS is a great resource for those who are brand new to the military as well as those who have been in a long time. Although this program is for the Army, there should be similar programs with different names for each branch. 

A military duty station checklist will help you at your new duty station!

6. MWR- MWR stands for “Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.” They are a quality-of-life program for Soldiers and their families. They provide a lot of activities for kids, CYS, which is the affordable childcare program, lodging, libraries, entertainment, and other events. It would be a great idea to follow their page on Facebook if they have one so you can hear about the events that they have going on. The MWR is a great way to find things to do that can help you meet other people at your new duty station.

7. Your Spouse’s Unit- This is a must. Learn where your spouse goes to work. Learn the unit and a general idea of what they do. When you don’t have this information, it can be confusing. There are reasons you will have to go to the unit and it is best to know where that is. Your FRG meetings might be there too.

8. Parks- Parks are important. Most military installations have them. Find them and enjoy what they have to offer. This is especially true when you have kids. Find the local parks and save your sanity.

9. The Hospital or Clinic- You will need to know where to go in case of emergency as well as when you need to go to an appointment. Learn where to go, where to park and when you have to go there you will know what to do.

10. Restaurants- Some military posts have more restaurants than others. There should be some fast food near the PX. There might be a few stand-alone places. The best restaurants were when we lived in Germany. We had an amazing German bakery and a restaurant that served German food. These places are great to go and meet your spouse on their lunch break.

When you first PCS somewhere, there will be a learning curve. You will need to take the time to find out where things are. Have fun with it and enjoy your new location. Create a military duty station checklist and be on your way to blooming in your new space!

Where is the first place you like to find when you are at a new duty station?

10 Of The Best Places To Make Friends as a Military Spouse

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You are new to your duty station, you don’t know anyone, and your spouse is going to deploy sometime in the next few months. Where do you go to make friends? What can you do to find them? How can you be part of this military community everyone talks about? How can you make friends as a military spouse?

Finding new friends can be difficult when you first move to a new place. You can live somewhere for a while and still not fit in. You could be shy and find meeting new people difficult. So what do you do?

10 Of The Best Places To Make Friends as a Military Spouse

Here are 10 ideas to help you make friends as a military spouse:

Your FRG-The FRG is either going to be really good or really bad, but you don’t know until you try. So go once, see what things are like. Maybe the FRG needs you to help make it a better place. There can be something great about connecting with the spouses of those your own spouse is going to be working with.

Other times, there just might be too much drama. That happens, especially during deployments. But make yourself try the FRG out. You never know what you might experience or who you might meet when you go.

Your Neighborhood- Your neighbors can become your friends. Reach out if you can and join your neighborhood Facebook page. See if you can meet some other people who are in your stage of life. This might be easier if you have kids old enough to go out and play with other kids in your area.

You can also meet people through them. Smile at people as they walk by, and be a friendly, good neighbor. Knowing people who live near you is a good idea. They can watch out for your home when you are away, and you can be there for them.

Bible Study- If you are religious, seek out a bible study. Most military installations have a PWOC or other similar groups. These places are a time to study the Bible and get to know other military spouses. Overseas, my PWOC group was a lifesaver. You can also find bible studies off-post within your local community. That is also a good way to meet other non-military friends in your community.

MomCo– MomCo, formally, MOPS, is a great program, and they do have some military programs. These are free and are located at the base chapel. You might also find MomCo in your community off-post. Those will have an annual fee. These types of groups can be a great way to meet new people, other moms who have children the same age as yours.

Sports teams– Sports is a great way to get to know others. Either sign your children up for a team or play a sport yourself. Look and see what is going on in your area. Even swim lessons is a great way to make a new friend.

You all have to sit and watch your kids, and in a lot of cases, you can’t help but talk to someone new while you are there watching your kids swim or play a sport. Finding an adult team is a great idea if you are into sports because you can do something you love and make new friends while you are doing so.

Playgroups- If you have kids, you have to join a playgroup. They are such a good way to make friends as a military spouse, and even if you don’t, a way for your kids to make friends and be social. They can be a good way to get out there and break up the day.

Some playgroups are put on by an organization, others are hosted by a mom, and she invites people to her home. Figure out what is in your area. If you only know a couple of people, invite them over to play and have them invite some friends.

Book Club– I love books. I read so much. So when I heard about a local book club, I joined it. We got to talk about books. It was wonderful. Do you love books too? Join a book club. You will be able to meet people to talk about books with. Which is one of the best things.

Restaurant Club- When we were in Germany, there was a club that met once a month at a new restaurant. This was a great way to learn more about our area and food options but I was also able to connect with other spouses and get to know them. I am sure they do have these types of groups other places as well.

Volunteering- If you are still not sure how to make friends, try volunteering. It’s another great way to make friends as a military spouse. There are a lot of chances for that on post as well as off. You can do a one-day or one-week type of event, or volunteer long-term. Doing so will allow you to give back to the community, keep busy, and make some friends. The more you do it, the more people you will meet. The best part is, there are so many different ways you can volunteer in a military community.

Bunco- If you ever get invited to a Bunco group, go. This game is so much fun, and because of the way you play it, you have to talk to new people. You are moving from table to table, and it is a great way to feel connected to other people in your community.

Have you found ways to make friends as a military spouse? What is the hardest part of doing so?

10 Lessons Military Spouse Life Teaches You Over the Years

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10 Lessons Military Spouse Life Teaches You Over the Years

Life as a military spouse has taught me so much over the years! When I first became a military spouse, I had no idea how much this life would change me. Over the years, through deployments, moves, and everything in between, I’ve learned lessons I never expected, but ones I will carry for the rest of my life.

Here are 10 of them:

  • That you can, in fact, do things on your own, without your spouse by your side

Before your spouse joined the military, you might have assumed there were certain things you needed them to be there for. You will learn quickly that this is not the case. At the same time, while you realize you can do things without them, you won’t always want to. And that is one reason why a deployment can be so hard.

  • That the military doesn’t always know what they are doing, or so it seems

You will learn pretty quickly that the military doesn’t always seem like it knows what it is doing. It will seem like the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. This can be so frustrating but then you get to the point where you say, “well that’s the Army for you” or whatever branch your spouse serves in.

Life as a military spouse can be surprising

  • That you might think you are going to PCS somewhere, and you could possibly end up somewhere else instead

PCS orders can be, well, interesting. Sometimes they change. You might hear Fort Campbell, get researching the schools in Tennessee, make a bucket list of things you want to see, and boom, they get changed to Fort Bliss.

  • That you might just get to a point during a deployment where you feel like you are rocking it

I know it might not seem like you will ever feel like you are “rocking a deployment” but you might just get there. And when you do, the feeling is amazing. Just keep doing what you can and you might find yourself there before you know it.

  • That after that point, you might hit a snag, and feel like you really are not rocking a deployment at all

And while feeling like you are “rocking a deployment” is amazing, it can be way too easy to hit a bump in the road and feel like you’re no longer. That’s okay, though. The roller coaster emotions during a deployment are normal and to be expected.

Life as a military spouse could look different for each person

  • How one military spouse gets through a deployment can be different than another

I traveled a bit during my second deployment, and it was a lot of fun. Traveling also helped pass the time. But, during our 1st and 3rd deployments, that would have been very difficult to do just because of the ages of my kids and what was going on. We all find what works for us during a deployment and it doesn’t have to be the same as what works for others.

  • That you might just make a best friend in the least likely of places

You might assume that going to regular play dates, sporting events for your kids, or the FRG might be where you meet your military best friend. While meeting friends at these places happens a lot, you might be surprised where you do meet your next BFF. It could happen during the long lines at the commissary on payday, or through a friend of a friend, you met three duty stations ago. Be open to new friends and see what happens.

  • That you will miss something about that duty station after you leave, even if you hate the place right now

I know, I know, what is there to love about a duty station in the middle of nowhere? Trust me, after you PCS and live somewhere else for a while, you will miss something about that place. This is just how things work. Even if all you miss are the people.

  • That you will start to nitpick movies and television shows that portray the military

From Army Wives to a movie on the big screen, you are going to start to notice how Hollywood gets the military so very wrong. From the wrong type of uniform to calling a marine a soldier, there are way too many mistakes out there. At the same time, you might not let them bother you and still wonder if you are more a Roxy or a Claudia Joy.

  • That you will get homesick, even if you love where you are stationed

During your life as a military spouse, you could be living in Europe, surrounded by castles and green hills, and will still feel homesick sometimes. This is just a big part of military life and while some experience homesickness more than others, you will figure out how to deal with those feelings.

Every year I learn something new about military life. I am always shocked by this but it is true. I try to look at each military experience as a way to grow and learn a little bit more about this lifestyle we have chosen.

What is a lesson you have learned during your life as a military spouse?

Military Spouse Social Media: Navigating Motherhood and Connection

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As a military spouse, social media often becomes more than just scrolling; it’s how we stay connected during deployments, moves, and long-distance friendships. This guest post explores the different ways moms can use social media to connect with others, a must as military spouses.

Living so far from our loved ones, having our spouse have to “live in our phones” for periods of time, and trying to balance it all together during the craziness of military life is a lot to take on. We want to find the right balance with social media, but it can be hard.

Enjoy this post all about motherhood and the different ways we can use social media to stay in touch.

Motherhood and Social Media

Before the advent of Facebook, Pinterest, and various other social media tools, motherhood was, in some ways, a much more isolating experience. Of course, before social media, mothers may have had email, phone calls, and in-person visits. But social media and tools like smartphones and web cams bring your friends and family right into your living room, regardless of location, and allow them to experience your child’s growth up close and personal. These days, moms can keep in touch with friends and family like never before.

Social Media Brings Moms Together

Social media serves another important purpose: it brings moms together and makes geography nearly irrelevant. You adopted your child from China? There is a Facebook page or blog dedicated to that where you can connect with other moms with children adopted from China and share your experiences, ask questions, and make friends. Ditto for many other motherhood experiences. The internet and social media help us stay connected and meet others of like minds or experiences. This can be immensely reassuring when you are faced with a motherhood dilemma outside your previous experience.

Here are some of the most common social media tools I have found useful and some that many of my friends who are moms love to use:

Facebook is the Place

Military spouses and social media go hand in hand. And Facebook is one of the places we go. Although there are concerns that Facebook’s popularity is declining among teens, every mom I know uses it regularly. We post pictures of our kids, updates on our lives, questions about events at school and where to find a good pediatric dentist. It is a great tool for keeping up with both local friends and family and those who live far away.

You should be aware that Facebook is notorious for constantly changing its privacy settings without informing users.  Therefore, I never post anything on Facebook that is sensitive or private. You really can’t be absolutely sure who might see your post. Also, Facebook has had the tendency in the past to ban breast-feeding photos and sometimes delete those users’ accounts, so while it is your right to post these types of family photos, the network has shown a strange intolerance to them, so beware.

That said, I love keeping up with what my friend in Spain is doing and her daughter’s activities, as well as making plans with my neighborhood friends for a barbecue.  I also belong to a Facebook group of moms with multiples, and we talk about parenting issues specific to having twins or triplets.

Pinterest is a Fun Choice

Need an idea for a snack to serve for a toddler birthday party? Looking for an age-appropriate educational activity? How about nursery decorating ideas? That and more can be found on Pinterest by pinning photos and ideas of people you know and people you don’t. Along the way you can learn lots of interesting things about your friends. One of my friends has a prolific collection of dessert recipes – all involving chocolate. Another is obsessed with bookshelves of every shape and dimension. Another I can always count on for great appetizer ideas.

Instagram For Your Photos and Videos

Love photos? Instagram lets you tap into your inner photographer and view others’ photos. You can also share them on Facebook and other social media sites. It is an opportunity to showcase your life in photos for friends and family to see, but the profiles are public, so everyone else can see, too. You can also post short videos as Reels.

Email and Texting Still Works

Don’t care to share your whole life with the masses, or even just your online friends? It’s a valid concern – many sites have little to no security settings, so there is really no way to ensure that what you post stays within your circle of family and friends. Emailing and texting, now considered old-school, aren’t completely foolproof, but you have a reasonable expectation that your rant to your best friend about not getting any sleep and the lack of privacy while pumping at work will be seen only by her.

What was parenthood before social media? It was a lot more private, and really, there is no substitute for in-person visits, but when that isn’t possible, social media can be the next best thing. It also opens up so many parenting resources and avenues for creativity, information and validation. It’s a way for friends and family outside your local circle to see your kids grow up, and to me, that is pretty amazing.

This guest post is by a SmartMom Contributor. SmartMom is an easy way to receive fast answers to all of your parenting questions from the convenience of your mobile device.  We’re launching in the app store soon – Visit our website http://smartmom.co for early access! 

 

Use the GameStop Military Discount the Next Time You Go to the Mall

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GameStop Military Discount

Whenever we go to the mall, there is one store I know my boys will always want to check out, that’s GameStop, and they have a military discount too. From new and used video games, to fun characters, and t-shirts, this store has so much for the gamer kid, and well, gamer adult too.

History of GameStop

Did you know that GameStop has a connection to Barnes and Noble? Here’s how…

GameStop basically begins in 1984 when the store Babbage’s was founded. Babbage’s started selling Nintendo games in 1987 and then in 1994, the company merged with Software ETC. and created the NeoStar Retail Group.

Then, in 1999, the GameStop brand was launched in 30 stores in strip malls. They also then launched the website. That same year, Barnes and Noble bought Babbage’s Etc. This led to Barnes and Noble having control over GameStop until 2004.

GameStop acquired EB Games in 2005 which expand their operations to Australia, Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. The company has acquired many others over the years including some Radio Shack locations if you are wondering what happened to those places. At one point they had MovieStop stores which sold new and used movies but that didn’t last.

And you have probably heard of the GameStop short squeeze that happened in 2021. The movie Dumb Money tells the story of what happened and it is pretty interesting!

The GameStop Military Discount

The GameStop military discount is for 10% off and is available to members of the military and law enforcement. You can use the military discount in-store, however, the following items are not eligible:

  • New video game
  • New accessories
  • New video game systems
  • New tablets
  • PC Hardware (including, but not limited to, monitors & components)
  • Televisions
  • Gift Cards
  • POSA cards/time cards & points cards
  • Downloadable content (DLC)
  • Candy & Drinks
  • Books & Magazines

While it is a bit of a bummer you can’t use the discount on new video games, you can on used video game, and they have a great selection. You can also trade in your own used video games for money or store credit. They also have used video game systems.

Show your military ID at the store, your Form DD214, or you can verify your military status through online platforms.

Using Military Discounts

Military discounts can be a fantastic way to save a bit of money. From 10-15% at a retail store, to 30% off or more on tickets to your favorite amusement parks. If you are ever unsure about if a store or location has a military discount, just ask them if they do and be understanding if the answer is no. But it’s always great to be able to save a little money.

What Moms Actually Want for Mother’s Day

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What Moms Actually Want for Mother’s Day

Do you know what moms want for Mother’s Day?

“Happy Mother’s Day…” is said on the 2nd Sunday in May to Mothers everywhere. But what do moms really want on their special day? It’s more than flowers and a pretty present. Mothers want a lot more, and you can’t really buy it in a Hallmark store.

What moms want for Mother’s Day

One Mother’s Day a few years ago, I told my husband I just wanted to go somewhere outside. Somewhere nice, near water. Living in Tennessee, we unfortunately are too far from a beach, but we do have lakes. So that is what we did. My husband and I hit the road and ended up at Kentucky Lake.

No, we didn’t bring the kids. No, I didn’t feel bad about that. My husband ended up giving me a perfect day.

We found a nice diner for lunch, then ran into a friend who took us out on her boat; it was quite the unexpected blessing. We spent the afternoon on the water, enjoying nature and the day’s peacefulness.

I realized that year that, for me, Mother’s Day needed to be a day when I was doing exactly what I wanted. Where I was at peace. And where I wasn’t stressed out.

I didn’t need flowers or presents so much as I needed a day to just be. Whatever that looked like.

As moms, we always feel a lot of pressure to make the perfect holiday. We are in charge of Thanksgiving and Christmas. We make sure our kids get Valentine’s and wear something green on St. Patrick’s Day. We get the Easter baskets ready for Easter, make the plans for fireworks and red, white, and blue shirts, and coordinate the Halloween costumes. But Mother’s Day? Why do we also feel like we have to do certain things for that, too?

So what do moms really want for Mother’s Day?

A Break Without Guilt

Let’s face it, as moms, we can sometimes feel guilty. And we shouldn’t. We aren’t just a mom. We aren’t just a wife, and we are allowed to have boundaries.

So us moms should never feel guilty about needing a break. Especially on Mother’s Day. That day, more than any other, should be 100% guilt free.

So what does a break look like for you? What would give you some rest? Whatever that is, make plans to do it this Mother’s Day.

To Feel Seen and Appreciated

As moms, we can get done what we need to get done each day, and not hear a single thank you. And that might be okay. But the beauty of Mother’s Day is it is a good time for your family to reach out and thank you for everything you do.

More than that, to feel seen and be appreciated is important. To know that the people in your family are thankful for all you do is important. And it is a very big part of what moms want on Mother’s Day.

Rest (Real Rest)

Resting is so important. And it can be really hard to find the time to do that, especially when your kids are small. Even more so if you are married to someone in the military.

But rest is important and your Mother’s Day should include as much of it as you need. Maybe it is a nap, or just time to read. Maybe it is watching movies all day, or sitting at a park. Find what makes sense for you. And enjoy resting on Mother’s Day.

Enjoy your day!

I hope you can enjoy your Mother’s Day. That it is a nice relaxing day for you, and you can truly do everything you want to do.

What Moms Actually Want for Mother’s Day