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.