Ideas for Mother’s Day: What Mom Actually Wants

Mother’s Day is around the corner everyone! Don’t panic, I’ve got you covered. Below are some ideas to make this Mother’s Day a success.

• Get her a hotel room – Being a mom is a 24/7 job and sometimes we just need a little break. When I say get her a hotel room for a night, I don’t mean for the whole family or even for just you and her. I mean get a hotel room for a night just for her alone. Pack her a bag, check her in, kiss her good night and leave. And please do not text or call her all night asking where stuff is. You stay home with the kids while she takes some time alone. Trust me when I say that majority of moms will check in, order room service, watch horrible tv and movies while lounging in their undies and probably pass out by 9pm. She wants to take up the whole bed and not get up in the middle of the night. She wants one night of doing absolutely nothing.
• Flowers and candies of course – This may seem basic and obvious, but it is still much appreciated. Especially if you get her favorite flowers and candies. I’m partial to Mexican hot chocolate truffles from Lolli & Pops (hint, hint).
• Brunch – I know the kids want to make mom breakfast in bed, but chances are it is mom who is going to have to clean up the kitchen after. Take her to brunch instead. Tell the family to get dressed up and take mom out for mimosas. Tell everyone around your table what an amazing mother she is while you’re at it. A little bragging is always appreciated.
• Jewelry – Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Get her some. It does not have to say “mom” on it either. If you are not sure what kind of jewelry mom likes, then check out her Pinterest page.
• Paint and Wine with friends – Send mom out for some girl time where she can get creative. Paint and wine classes are a blast. They are offered all the time, all over the place. Call ahead and reserve her a spot with a girlfriend or two. Then ooh and ahh over her artistic talents when she gets home with her new piece of art. Mom’s not a wine drinker? That’s ok! Paint and coffee classes are also offered.
• Shopping Spree – If my husband took me to Target and said “go crazy” I would be one happy camper. Here’s the trick to making it better. Tell her everything she buys must be for HERSELF ONLY! Mom’s tend to think of the family first and will immediately head out looking for school clothes, diapers and cleaning supplies. STOP HER. This moment is for her.
• Tickets to a movie with popcorn and snacks – we have a family of 6 so we rarely go to a movie these days. If we do it’s the dollar theater with a large purse full of snacks and water bottles from the dollar store. For Mother’s Day spring for a newly released movie and buy her the snacks and soda she wants. Get a babysitter and don’t roll your eyes when she says she wants to see a movie that your think will be dumb.
• Wine, beer or spirit event – The Total Wine near my home often has events on the weekends, each curated around an adult beverage. Hear all about scotch from a Scotsman. Learn how to make the perfect Martini. Does mom want to learn more about wine or her favorite beer? Sign her up for a class. They usually run about $20 for 2 hours. Make a date out of it. If you don’t live near a Total Wine, I am sure you can contact a local brewery for other options.
• Facial or massage – Always a good idea. Send mom for some pampering.
• A Tropical Trip far away – Really any moms dream would be lounging on a beach with a tropical drink in her hand and the sand between her toes. If you can book her this trip she will be in high heaven. If not (which realistically most people cannot) fill the kiddie pool in the backyard, make her a margarita in the blender, pull up a sunchair and umbrella for her and tell the kids they are to hand her snacks and call her senorita all day. She will love it.
• Be a kid again – Main Event, Dave & Busters or Top Golf are a good way to spark up some child like fun again. Leave the kids with Nana and take Mom out for some good old arcade fun.  Use all those tickets to buy a ring pop and you’re good!
• Take her to do something she normally would not do – Take her horseback riding. Sign her up for snowboarding lessons. Try indoor skydiving. If mom is the adventurous type yet never gets a chance to try new things, now is the time to take her.
• Remind her that she is not just “mom” – The first time a mother holds her child in her arms life is no longer about her. And being a mom is something that never ends. I’m well in to my 30’s and my mom still brings me food, checks on me when I’m sick and calls to see if I need anything from the store. It’s a mom thing and I love her for it. Because of this we forget who we were before we had kids. My teenagers have a hard time imagining that mom was once fun. Actually, I was a blast and I did so many cool things, but they don’t believe it. So, do something a little different. Write her a letter or put together a photo album filled with all the cool stuff she did before she became mom. Remind her what was so cool about her before life became all about animal crackers and cartoons. Remind mom that even though she’s the greatest mom in the world she is so much more than that.

The truth is Mom will appreciate anything you decide to do for her. She just wants to know that she is loved and appreciated.