Tips for a Father’s Day Mom Can Enjoy, Too

It’s always bothered me that Father’s Day comes just a month after Mother’s Day. It might sounds odd and totally selfish but to me the timing of it is really just represents that moms get (maybe) a day but then we are onto bigger and more important events; like Father’s Day approaching. It feels like not a whole lot of planning goes into “our day” as moms but that we start having conversations that very evening during a chaotic dinner about what dad wants for “his day”.

My husband is not one to make a fuss over things like his birthday or Father’s Day so I am probably lucky for that. Yet of course I still strive to make the weekend a fun one for him. That’s right, I said weekend. Not day. Weekend. Like many of you, I do it because I appreciate all that my husband does for our family and I truly want him to feel that. I am sure husbands want the same for us. It’s just their ability to execute may be lacking.

Generalizing statement here; men are simple. But this can really be used to our advantage more than we may realize. It isn’t a chance for a do-over if your Mother’s Day was disappointing but it is a chance for you to have an enjoyable day. Dare I even say – a day that includes things you also want to do.

If I left the entire day up to my husband’s planning, we would wake up and figure it out on the spot. I know better than that so I like to have an idea of how the day will go a couple of weeks ahead of time.

Here are seven things I start thinking about ahead of time in attempt to have a day we all enjoy.

Ask him what he wants to do– My husband will typically give a really helpful response of, “I don’t know, whatever.” But the point is that I still make a point to ask him in case there is something specific he has in mind. It also sends the message that you want the day to include things he wants to do.

Say yes to his golf or happy hour plans. For Mother’s Day, many of us wanted time away from our families. Same goes for the guys. Encourage him to spend part of the weekend golfing or meeting up with friends. It’s a win-win because he is doing something that brings him joy and it also means hours of you not having to plan something “dad centric” for the time he is gone.

Mimosas for two. Start the day with something celebratory! Serve him and make a toast to him so he doesn’t catch on that this is something for you as well. If mimosas aren’t his thing, splurge on a fancy coffee or donuts (or both) to spoil him (and you, too).

Remember his love language.

Lazy day approved. If your husband wants a day of just laying low, don’t try to convince him into plans.

Have a gift ready. Have a gift and cards from the kids ready to roll so you don’t have to scramble last minute and can focus on those mimosas.

Don’t cook. I know in some households this won’t work because your husband might want a specific home cooked meal. Or perhaps a Father’s Day barbeque is part of your tradition. We have neither of those so I always make meal plans that do not include me cooking. This could be a reservation or if that’s stressful because you have little kids, it could mean take-out burgers and a front yard picnic.