After taking on this life-changing, exhausting, impossible to balance job, you'd think mummies everywhere would look forward to their day of appreciation – Mother's Day. But they're not. The harsh truth is most mummies think Mother's Day sucks.
YummyMummyClub.ca polled hundreds of busy, multi-tasking moms across the country why Mother's Day sucks and what can be done to change it. Guys: there are no excuses now. We're giving you key information you need to make this Mother's Day an occasion to remember. Read carefully....your sex life may depend on it.
Top 10 Reasons Why Mother's Day Sucks, According to Moms
10. Women have to do all the work
Mother's Day is not only NOT a day of rest for most mummies, it's more work than a typical Sunday. Instead of a day of pampering and relaxation, mummies are left arranging brunches, hosting lunches, cooking dinners and cleaning on top of that.
Tammy Q. of Cambridge, ON says “Mother's Day is a lot of work! I host brunch – lots of cooking and cleaning.”
Dads, you need to be active participants in Mother's Day. If there's one thing you're gonna make this year for Mother's Day, it's a reservation. Or if your wife prefers to have a meal at home, order in. A meal to show your wife how much you appreciate her on Mother's Day is about the thought, not the food. So don't ask your wife what restaurant you should make the reservation at, or worse, ask her for the phone number. Doing the research is part of the job. If you're going to cook the meal yourself, for God's sake, make sure you do the clean up after. A meal she doesn't have to think about is a gift in itself.
9. Some Husbands don't feel they have to celebrate their wives on Mother's Day because they aren't “their mothers.”
Natalie H, from Calgary, Alberta, was told by her husband on Mother's Day “You're not my mom. Why are we celebrating? I called my mom."
Guys: It's not called “Your Mother's Day”. This is a day to show mothers everywhere you appreciate the hard work they do day in and day out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. She's not your mom, she's the mother of your kids and Mother's Day is your opportunity to say “I appreciate what you do and promise to never leave the toilet seat up again”.
p.s. A phone call to your mom does not a Mother's Day make.
8. Many Mothers are missing special women in their life on Mother's Day
Heather VH, from Caledonia, Ontario hit the nail on the head when she told us how Mother's Day is a sad occasion for her because her mom had passed away. She said “What sucks about Mother's Day is the fact that I can't celebrate it anymore with my Mother now that she has passed on”
If your wife has lost a special woman in her life –her mom, an aunt, grandmother, sister or friend, take a moment this Mother's Day to remember that woman with her. Whether it's by telling stories and reminiscing, visiting a grave or simply hugging her and letting her know you understand, it will help make a difficult time easier.
7. Mother's Day is just like any other day
Our hearts went out to Damaris A and all the other mother's like her. Damaris, from 100 Mile House, British Columbia said “My mother's day usually (and sadly) goes by just like any other day”.
Guys, this is the one day of the year where the whole family can show their appreciation for everything mom does. 365 days a year, she's a mom, wife, nurse, teacher, chauffeur, chef, cleaner, judge, jury and multi-tasking juggler. This is the one day where she can be a queen, so get to work and get the kids involved.
Make it a day where she can relax and be pampered. Don't make extra work for her – when you make breakfast in bed, clean up the dishes. After she unwraps her presents, throw the wrapping in the garbage so she doesn't have to. But most of all, ask her what she wants – it's her day, let her celebrate it the way she wants to.
6. The family forgets and Mothers end up feeling neglected
It's sad but true. Some families completely forget Mother's Day and mom is left feeling neglected and unappreciated so we'll keep this helpful hint simple. This Mother's Day falls on Sunday May 9th. Circle the date and start planning now.
5. Mother's Day is more stressful than relaxing
Moms spend their days running around doing stuff for everyone else in the family. An overwhelming majority of moms want the gift of time for Mother's Day. All it requires from dads is to block off some time so mom can go out and do what she wants including, but not limited to, shopping, reading, napping, exercising, driving, visiting, strolling, eating, relaxing, and/or enjoying a glass of wine, manicure, pedicure, massage, spa day, gal pals and a movie.....or nothing at all. Whatever she wants.
4. It feels too forced/your family is not being genuine in actually trying to please you
I think the worst part about Mother's Day is that your family would be insulted if you stood on the table and said, "You people suck, keep your rotten cake to yourself because Mamma's going to Miami for the day."
"Would it be SO hard to give mom a pitcher of margaritas and a pair of Louboutins?" says Steph S, from Belleville, Ontario.
Guys, it all boils down to knowing your wife - what she likes and doesn't like. Show her you love her by listening to her. And if you don't know what she wants, don't panic, just do some detective work – call her friends and ask. The added bonus? Her friends will think you're the best husband ever.
3. Mother's Day sucks because it's not a statutory holiday
Stephanie B, from Lindsay, Ontario had an amazing idea of having Mother's Day made into a stat holiday so moms don't have to work, cook or clean.
But since that's not gonna happen anytime soon it's up to Dads to make Mother's Day a stat holiday in your family. Give your wife the day off so she can do what she wants to do.
See Tip No. 5
2. There is too much media hype surrounding the day
Dads wake up and smell the coffee your wife makes for you every day. No matter what the media says, Mother's Day isn't about the gift buying, the brunches or the flowers. This is the one day a year where you can show the Yummy Mummy in your life how much you appreciate what she does the other 364 days a year.
1. Gifts
In our survey, Moms were divided on Mother's Day gift giving. Some loved homemade picture frames and macaroni necklaces while others wanted to be dazzled with spa days and jewelry.
Last year in our Mother's Day gift survey, one mummy raved about a gift she received that would have made most moms roll their eyes and run away.
"Believe it or not, it was a mushroom brush. It's one of those extravagant, but small kitchen tools one never buys for oneself. But because it was so small and relatively inexpensive, no one ever bought one for me, even though it was on my list for years. Finally, when my son earned his own money, he bought me one.” - Dawn B, from Edmonton, Alberta
The old adage “it's the thought that counts” is 100% true. If you're going to buy a Mother's Day gift, make sure it's one your wife will appreciate and not one you grabbed from the local convenience store at 11 o'clock on Saturday night because it was the only place open.
What it all boils down to is Mother's Day sucks because women feel unappreciated and unheard. The key to pampering mom is being attuned to her needs and creating special time for her. Whether it means helping her getting away from it all for the day, or indulging at home with the gang, turning this Mother's Day from a Disaster to Delightful, it all depends on what the mom in your life needs.
Here are 30 ways to celebrate Mother's Day Every Day!
Printer-friendly version