For almost sixteen Mother's Days, I've enjoyed an annual tradition of sticky macaroni necklaces and chaotic breakfasts in bed. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my kids and husband as much as the next mama, but breakfast in bed is a TERRIBLE idea.
Spoiler alert dads, but we can't sleep through that. If the thought of tiny humans having run of the kitchen doesn't wake us up, the fighting that ensues over who gets to make/stir/carry what definitely will. Then mom has to pretend to still be asleep so the kids get the joy of "waking her up" to serve her breakfast on her special day.
Kids and beds and food do not mix; something will inevitably get spilled, which means a load of laundry for mom. Thanks, but no thanks.
But don't worry, I'm here to let you in on the dirty little secret that most moms won't admit. What we REALLY want for Mother's Day is this:
We want a day off from momming.
Again, we love our kids. We are all in for 364 days of the year, we just want one day where we can be out. No cooking. No dishes. No laundry. No breaking up fights. No pouring juice. No wiping noses or bums. No Disney Channel. And sleep. So much sleep. Uninterrupted sleep. Heck, since I'm asking for the world, an uninterrupted shower would be nice too.
You know what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder? Sometimes a mom needs to take a step back and take care of herself for a day so she has the strength and will to go on for the next 364. This job is exhausting. We need this.
So dads, instead of stressing about finding the perfect Mother's Day gift, how about spending a little time planning the anti-Mother's Day. You'll be a hero, trust me.