Many of us have similar memories of Mother’s Days from our childhoods. Waking up early with Dad and cooking breakfast with our siblings. Banging pans together, spilling pancake batter all over the kitchen while we excitedly cooked for our mothers.
Now that years have passed and we are the generation on the receiving end of the syrupy sheets and kitchen full of dirty dishes, Mother’s Day has a new significance. In addition to those early morning greetings, we get the enjoyment of looking at the little faces that light up our lives and we get to spend the day reflecting on what motherhood means to each of us. For many of us, Mother’s Day also means a day of family events, special treats and sometimes gifts.
While it is always a big day for florists and restaurants, are breakfast and a bouquet of flowers really what moms want for their day of appreciation? We asked metro moms to tell us their idea of a perfect Mother’s Day, and their answers all came down to the four T’s.
Time. Moms are adamant that no matter what you do or receive on Mother’s Day, the gift of stress free time is always precious. “We are always so busy with our packed schedule and all our activities. It is nice to have a day where we don’t have plans and can just be together and unwind,” says Shelly Perkins, Kansas City, MO, mom. Some mothers want to use the time for themselves for a trip to the nail salon or to curl up with a good book. Other moms say they want some down time with the family to just enjoy one another.
Tradition. “I host an annual Mother's Day brunch for my mom. The tradition has been going on since before I had kids, and even though I have kids now, I love being able to do this for my mom. Hopefully in the future, my kiddos will host a Mother's Day brunch for me!” says Julie Meyer, Prairie Village mom. Many metro moms say they love carrying on traditions from their childhoods with the next generation. This includes everything from taking family photos to picnics in the park and even family softball games in the backyard.
Thank You. As moms, we know our job is 24/7. Love for our families helps keep our engines running. But because we keep them going full-speed 365 days a year, receiving a little appreciation for all the effort is nice. “I didn’t really understand the appreciation side of Mother’s Day until I became a mom. It is nice to get a card or a gift, but when the kids just take the time to tell me how much they appreciate all that I do, it means so much,” Jessica Alves, Shawnee, says. “It helps recharge my battery and give me the energy to wipe noses, clean up toys and tackle the laundry all over again!”
Thoughtfulness. A full 100 percent of our metro moms agree that the old adage rings true: It IS the thought that counts. Whether you opt for gifts or no gifts, family outing or a morning to sleep in, breakfast in bed or a large brunch for family and friends, there are lots of ways to make Mom feel special. As long as some thought is put into whatever the day holds, Mom will be thrilled. “It really doesn’t matter what we do or if anyone gets me anything. Just having the day acknowledged means a lot,” says Elizabeth McKenzie, Overland Park mom. “If I can tell that my family put some thought into whatever they decide to do, it puts the biggest smile on my face.”
As mothers, many of us have received Mother’s Day trinkets that didn’t quite hit the mark. Metro moms shared their tales, and here are the top 10 gifts that left moms feeling more peeved than pampered!
- A shrug from the husband with the comment “You aren’t my mother.”
- Parenting manual
- Scale
- Cellulite cream
- Toilet cleaning set
- Corset
- Vacuum
- Shoe odor eaters
- An IOU
- Shake weight
Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer and mother of two living in Overland Park.