Five Ways Not to be Disappointed this Mother's Day

Seize the moments!

Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend. With this thought, many of you may have mixed emotions. Most of you will be looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. Still, some of you feel it will be a day like all the others, with nothing more than possibly a handmade card your child created in school for you and a quick “Happy Mother’s Day” greeting when your kids wake up. Some of you may not even get this; they may forget to mention it, and the handmade card may be crinkled up in their backpack. So, what do you do? Do you secretly simmer inside, feeling unappreciated and taken for granted? I have been that mom on Mother’s Day occasionally over the years.

So why does this happen? I have a theory. When I was growing up, we made Mother’s Day a huge deal. My Mom and Grandma were treated like royalty, as they should have been. My expectations were established on how Mother’s Day needed to happen. However, my husband’s household did nothing for Mother’s Day, and it wasn’t valued as a special day other than a verbal “Happy Mother’s Day,” and that was about it. My mother-in-law was fine with this because this happened in her home growing up, and she accepted this experience of Mother’s Day. This was normal for them.

Do you see the problem here? When you become a new family, you have expectations; when those expectations aren’t met, you become disappointed. Sound familiar?

Transforming Mother’s Day into a day that truly reflects your desires starts with open communication. Remember, your husband and kids can't read your mind. So, it's crucial to be clear and specific about your expectations.

1.      Step one: Engage in a heartfelt conversation with your kids and husband about Mother’s Day. Share your feelings and desires by telling them how you envision the day.

2.      Give them suggestions about what you would like, such as sleeping in, emptying the dishwasher, doing no housework, going to church, getting ready for church without drama, having a home-cooked meal, etc. Then, let them brainstorm 3 (or more) things they will do for you and surprise you.

3.      Be specific about what you want if your love language is gifts.

4.      When your family showers you with compliments, take a moment to appreciate their words. Don’t dismiss them as idle chatter. This simple acknowledgment can go a long way in fostering a positive atmosphere on Mother's Day.

5.      Plan something you would like to do yourself, whether shopping, a nap, or an hour to clean your closet. Tell them what's on your “wish list” and do it.

As you can see, Moms, it's all about communication. So, before Mother’s Day comes up, vocalize your wishes. This will prevent any disappointment from the day.

Most importantly, the gift of motherhood is wonderful and amazing. Take some time to look at pictures to see how far you have come as a mom and know you have done well.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Proverbs 31:28-29-Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”