Being a mother is an incredible experience. The joy and satisfaction I’ve gained from raising my two children are unmatched. They bring laughter, affection, and, in my opinion, a sprinkle of genius to my life. However, this Mother’s Day, I’ve decided to celebrate my role as a mom by taking the day off from parenting duties.
Yes, you read that correctly! This Mother’s Day will be kid-free.
As lovable and intelligent as my kids are, they can also be quite demanding and occasionally a bit bratty. Even when my husband is right there with them, if I try to sneak upstairs for a moment of peace, they inevitably come running to ask if they can have a snack. It happens every time.
My husband, who is truly wonderful and excels in many areas, isn’t exactly an expert in the “pamper your wife” department. He might plan something sweet, like breakfast in bed, or take our daughter to buy a thoughtful gift for me, which is lovely. But let’s be honest—that’s only going to occupy about 30 to 45 minutes of the morning. The rest of the day? It’s back to parenting, mediating squabbles, and assembling sandwiches.
Three words: Not. This. Year.
This year, I’m taking charge and organizing a day that’s all about me—filled with my favorite activities, far away from family obligations. Sounds a bit selfish? Good! It should.
Think about Father’s Day: we encourage dads to enjoy a day of relaxation, often sending them off to play golf while we take the kids to the zoo or park. They deserve a break, and so do we.
I know a dad who even scheduled a massage on Mother’s Day so his wife could have uninterrupted time with the kids. True story!
Last year’s Mother’s Day felt remarkably like any other day. I spent it cleaning up after everyone, preparing meals, loading the dishwasher, and resolving screen-time disputes. My husband might have even snuck in a few hours of work (which is typical since he’s an entrepreneur with endless tasks). By the end of the day, I felt a bit deflated and, honestly, disappointed.
I often build up expectations for these special days and wait for someone else—like my husband—to make them magical. To be fair, it’s a tall order for anyone to fulfill my fantasies about the day.
What I need to realize is that if I’m waiting for someone else to give me a break, I’ll be waiting a long time. It’s up to me to claim that time for myself, without any feelings of guilt. After all, do dads feel remorse when they spend five hours on the golf course? Do they worry about home life while fishing? No, they don’t—and they shouldn’t!
Embrace What We Deserve
So, let’s embrace what we deserve and enjoy it fully!
This Mother’s Day, you won’t catch me at the park with my kids or visiting local attractions for “family fun.” Instead, I’m picking up my mom—who is my biggest supporter—and we’re heading out for a girls’ day filled with lunch, shopping, and all the fun I can handle! I’ll be leaving my family behind for several hours to indulge in the activities I love, because as long as I’m with my children, whom I adore more than anything, I won’t get the much-needed break that every mom deserves on Mother’s Day.
This article was originally published on May 7, 2019.
In summary, taking time for oneself is essential for mothers, especially on special occasions like Mother’s Day. Instead of waiting for others to pamper us, we should prioritize self-care and enjoy a day away from family responsibilities.