Mother’s Day can be amazing. But it can also be disappointing. When expectations are high, it’s easy to be let down. Add in unpredictable kids, mood swings, and relationship challenges and it’s not uncommon for Mother’s Day to go sideways. Here are five things you can do to make sure you enjoy this year’s Mother’s Day so you don’t end up in a funk.
1. Tell your family what you’d like to do for Mother’s Day. Do you have expectations? Make them known! And don’t just mention something once in passing. Unless you live with mind readers, be clear about what you’d like to do on Mother’s Day.
2. Have a back-up plan. You’re a mom. You know things don’t always go as planned. Kids get sick, family gatherings run long, reservations fall through, or the weather doesn’t cooperate. Think about a low-key back-up that you’ll love just as much as your original plan. Do you want takeout from the place you never get to order from because everyone else hates it? To sit on the back porch and read in peace? To watch a movie with no interruptions? If you have a Plan B you can look forward to, it will curtail the disappointment if something happens with Plan A.
3. Relax your parenting standards. Don’t get so caught up in parenting perfection that you can’t just relax and enjoy your day. Sure, younger kids will need physical care. But don’t worry about screen time limits, nutritional standards, chores, or the regular rules. You’ll enjoy your day more if you lower behavioral expectations and just go with the flow. And if your spouse is taking the lead on parenting to give you a break, don’t get caught up in the differences between your parenting preferences and his. Let him do his thing so you can have your reprieve.
4. Make a list of everything you love about mothering your kids. Turn the tables this Mother’s Day! Gratitude is a proven mood-lifter, plus your children will love hearing about why you enjoy being their mom. If you’re parenting with a partner, include them and thank them for specific ways they lighten your mothering load. Some days it’s easier to notice these things than others, but when we intentionally look for the positive things – they’re there.
5. Take regular breaks throughout the year. Mom, I say this with love. If Mother’s Day is your one day to feel special and appreciated, you’re putting too much weight on a day. Make a plan to take the breaks you need throughout the year. Go out to dinner with your besties once a month, take a girl’s weekend away, get a mani-pedi, or just make arrangements with your spouse for you to sleep until noon on a random Saturday once in awhile. Whatever you need to take a break and feel rested.
Have you struggled with disappointment on Mother’s Day? How did you handle it?
RELATED:
- Three Ways to My Perfect Mother’s Day
- Your Kids Are Not Mind Readers
- To the Mom Who Had a Disappointing Mother’s Day
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