What Mom REALLY Wants for Mother's Day (And Beyond): A FREE Gift Guide

Mother's Day is right around the corner and already your inbox, social media and tv screens are covered in ads and promotions for things to buy the moms in your life to show appreciation and gratitude. 

Yes, flowers are beautiful. Framed family photos are great. Jewelry is so pretty. A spa visit is relaxing. But all of things you could do for Mother's Day, there are some pretty practical ones that won't cost you as much as a big bouquet or fancy gift. These are everyday things that you can easily do for mom starting now that many moms will appreciate deeply. They require your time, a little consideration, some compassion and only a bit of creativity. Here is my practical, mostly free, Mother's Day gift guide.

Mom wants the gift of Rest:

We joke around about how moms don't sleep but the truth isn't funny. According to the Sleep Foundation, "After the baby is born, men lose an average of 13 minutes per night, while women lose over an hour of sleep each night..." 

Over an hour...

For all of those who are about to say "sleep when the baby sleeps", CAN IT! There is almost no greater lie in new parenting than to try to sleep when the baby sleeps. Who will wash bottles? Fold clothes? Get dinner ready? When will mom shower or brush her teeth in peace? Exactly.

 

Mom wants some rest. She's tired and often over worked with the daily labor that is seemingly invisible to everyone but her. She wants someone trustworthy and reliable to watch her little one so she can have a break. A REAL break. Taking a shower is NOT a break. Going grocery shopping is NOT a break. Doing chores is NOT a break. All of those are still labor and mom deserves to be free from them. Want to show her some appreciation? Give her a real opportunity for rest. 

Mom wants quiet:

Kids are loud. Like very loud. From the only way they can communicate at infancy to the happy screams of toddlers and young kids to the loud music or games teens love, children are loud. Their toys are loud. Their music is loud. Their presences are loud. 

Give mom the gift of peace and quiet. Take the kids to the movies or to the park for her. Schedule a playdate with another non-mom for her. Take the kids to the museum or to lunch or on a hike or somewhere not where she's going to be. Tell her where you are going and for how long you're going to have her beloveds and then go. 

Mom wants appreciation:

Remember that list of labor that seems invisible I mentioned earlier? When was the last time you thanked mom for that? For the daily maintenance and regular assistance of home and life? 

You know how you could REALLY show appreciation. Say thank you and mean it. 

Not just by saying 'thank you' but say thank you by washing the dishes or mopping the floors. Say thank you by vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom. Say thank you by getting the grocery shopping done or cleaning out the fridge. Say thank you by taking what you can off of her to-do list so she can have that much needed, desired, and deserved break.

Mom wants to be heard:

When was the last time you asked MOM how she was doing? Not how are the kids or can I see the baby, but how SHE was doing? Exactly. And most moms will keep trucking along for days, maybe even weeks before anyone sincerely checks in with her. Check in with mom. Ask her sincerely how she is doing. Ask her how she is really feeling. Ask her about herself. Be interested. Listen and listen intently.

Mom wants to do what she wants:

Remember that much needed break I brought up earlier? Yeah, mom doesn't want to have to take the blessing of the free time you have given her, either by taking the kids our or clearing some chores off of her list, only to use it to do other chores. If you're going to free mom up, make sure she goes to do something she wants to do. This one is a little tricky because most of the moms I know will take this time to go do something for the house or children. Tell her: "Hey, I am taking the baby for a few hours so you can go take a good nap." or "I'm taking the kids to the playground and then to dinner so you can go (insert thing you know mom likes...by the way, you should know what mom likes.)". 

I hope this helps. I literally just became a mom and know that for me, the love and assistance of community is so beneficial for our happy little family. Support, kindness, and forward thinking of our little village is truly a blessing that I want for every mama, Mother's Day and beyond.