Mothers Day! What's it really about at your house?

I struggled with every Mothers Day when my children were little...in fact, I still do even though my children are grown.  It brings up painful memories of it being something that my family felt they had to do, rather than being something they wanted to do.  

As Mothers Day approaches again, I'd love to hear how this holiday is celebrated (or not) in your house.   Is it a special day for you?  Does Dad involve the children without you having to remind him?  What are some silly, fun things that make you feel special?

[Wendy80]

If you ask this question NEXT May, then I will be sure to give you some answers!  =)  

This will be my very first Mother's Day as a mother... I'm so excited!  Not so much b/c I'm expecting anything from my husband, but b/c I've always been on the other end of Mother's Day as the daughter... and I loved doing stuff for my mom, but now I'm just excited that I'M the mom for once.  As far as what will probably be planned... I foresee a day with no dishes, no dinner-making, no chores and possibly some nice flowers and a scribbled on card from my daughter (who is 8 months old, so obviously daddy will be helping).  

I'm intrigued to see how other mother's celebrate the day!

[AnnieBrooke]

When I was pregnant, a friend showed up on Mother's Day with a bouquet for me.  (He runs with my husband on Sunday mornings, so it is not like he had to make a special trip, but it was still very nice.)  
With my son still not old enough to know Mother's Day from any other day, I'll take whatever I can get.  I think my husband will probably get me a card.

[Renogirl]

I have to admit that I've always been really bitter about Mother's Day in the past - I used to refer to it as National Fertility Day - it was a reminder that seemingly everyone else on this planet could get pregnant except for me so I was soooo excited about finally being a mommy on Mother's Day

I always send my mom flowers for Mother's Day - I order a mixed bouquet - and I always ask for four red roses to be included - for the four of us kids - one white rose for my grandmother who passed away and last year, I asked for a pink rosebud for Abby to be included - guess this year - I'll ask for two pink rosebuds for Abby and little one to be

Hubby sent me flowers last year at work - he sent three red roses - for the three of us - I loved that - that meant more to me then a huge bunch of flowers - he also had a card "from Abby" to me and he traced her hand inside the card.  He got up with Abby and brought her downstairs and let me sleep in.  He also gave me a cd of "mommy" songs - like "In My Daugher's Eyes", "I Hope You Dance" and "Let Them Be Little"   - it was just a special day, just the three of us !!!  Not sure what he'll do this year.  

[Annice1234]

Last year was my first Mother's Day, and I actually had be in MA that weekend for my sister in law's baby shower...while my son and husband were home in TX!  What a bummer I didn't get to be with them, but I guess there's always this year.  I want to add that I'm pretty sure there's no way my sister in law would spend her first Mother's Day(this year) away from her family for anyone or anything.  I hope she appreciates it!  :)
Note to anyone else:  don't have a baby shower on Mother's Day weekend!!
So maybe I'm still a little bitter...
:)

[Sasha80]

Mother's Day is really, just another day here.  My dtr is 28 months so doesn't understand.  I know hubby will wish me a Happy Mother's Day but that's about it.  We look at Mother's Day and Father's Day as a day of love and appreciation not as a stressful day in wondering what we should get each other (especially when we should be saving up for baby #2 (I'm a SAHM).  Just having my hubby and dtr home on Mother's Day for a nice BBQ dinner is enough for me.  That's just us!

[pertykitty]

dh keeps asking what i want.  my reply, i want to do nothing all day.  no cooking, no cleaning up after kids, no laundry and no dishes.  i want to just love on everyone and let them wait on me lol.  oh and a little sparkly i saw at costco, but i think that is out of the question lol.  

i will get my mom a gift, and normally the day has always centered around her.  since my sis and ihave kids we kind of go with what our dh's plan or dont plan.  

[Trialanderror]

We do not celebrate since it is so commercialized. However, since pre-school my son does bring home these hand-crafted cards and it always gets a tear into my eyes... I enjoy that while it lasts.
I was shocked once when a co-worker told me her 10-year-old son had "only" drawn her a picture on a card, she complained to him and asked why he did not buy her some jewellery from his allowance. I guess there are great variations on mother`s day.

[kellym]

I am with you on the Dog Biscuits! I kept them EVERYWHERE! both strollers, car, purse & diaper bag. My mother was mortified. One day when we were walking the dogs and ds was crying, I gave him one well knowing he wouldn't chew a piece off. It works GREAT, and the stares you get from people are priceless!

[kellym]

OK, posted that in the wrong place, sorry

[heatherlynn22]

well my boys are still too little to understand mothers day but i remember growing up we'd do special things for my mom. while i was in elementary school we'd make "art" for our moms. and when i got old enough i started to make her breakfast in the mornings and we'd go out for dinner that night or we'd all (my brother, my mom and i) cook dinner together. we never went and bought huge presents but it was always a nice day where mom could relax and just enjoy herself.

[Renogirl]

I don't care how old Abby gets - I'll always be happy with something she made herself - can't imagine anyone getting upset because their child "only drew them a card"  I'm a sentimental sap - I tend to think anything homemade is just extra special - course, I also cry everytime I clean the too small things out of Abby's closet - lol

[April2]

I remember when my two oldest were real little and how excited they got about "serving Mom breakfast in bed"! There were lots of giggles and pots banging while I had to stay in bed pretending to be asleep and act surprised when they'd bring me the cold toast with loads of butter and jelly, lol, the cold egg and semi cold coffee along with a handful of wilted flowers they had pulled from the yard, usually dandelions. Of course, I was delighted with it all! Oh how I miss those days. :)

[CYW]

well i've only had 1 mother's day and last mother's day things were rather rocky between the ex and I...we split up a 2 weeks after mother's day i believe and he insisted on taking me out for supper and gave me these gifts that he had bought...it was sweet but yeah.. and see for my mom i always get her some of her most favorite flowers..sometimes late but she still gets them..(she lives out of town) so yeah...this year i look forward to spending time with my baby and possibly my mom...

[Wendy80]

Lol... April's Mother's day experience sounds exactly like the way we would celebrate the day for our mom.  We would always make her breakfast in bed (dad would "help").. burnt toast, runny eggs, VERY sweetened coffee, some flowers from the backyard and usually a tray soaking with the coffee and orange juice that spilled on the way to the bedroom.  =)  But I remember it being great fun for us kids to "surprise" our mom with breakfast in bed... and when I talk to her about it now, she said it was always the best part of the day (even if she did have to gag down some pretty awful food).  THAT is how I want to celebrate my Mother's day... in an imperfect way, with the family that loves me.  And I can't wait until Lillian is old enough to hold a crayon or marker, b/c those are going to be the gifts that I will keep forever!

[April2]

Oh yes, those homemade Mother's Day cards are the best. :) I still have some of those.

[jenstam]

April, your post brought tears to my eyes. Of course, this may be because I'm an emotional pregnant woman but still! It reminds me of my Mother's Days in the past! Cold toast, runny eggs, cold coffee and pretending to sleep and act surprised. So sweet and special!! The thought of it all is what counts and that is the most special thing ever!!

My Mother's Days have changed a bit as my kids get a bit older and I have a toddler who doesn't know the meaning yet. My husband will probably make some breakfast and the girls will help. They will probably make a card and I'll eat it in bed. Other than that, the girls will probably give me homemade coupons that I can use for chores that need to be done or back scratching or foot massages. They're quite thoughtful and I love the homemade things better than anything else!

[AHP84]

My Mother's Days still have yet to become anything special. Trevor is still too young to really understand Mother's Day, or care when it comes--after all, it's not like Christmas for him so he doesn't anticipate it. But I do love the crafts that he does at daycare. They usually make cute little cards and crafts and take pictures of your kid to glue to the crafts--very cute. I still have my Mother's Day poster from last year on display on my workdesk; it has two black and white pictures of Trevor and little fabric flowers glued on it. I can't wait until he gets a little older and can do more things like this on his own, so I can see his unique imagination and generosity come through that is genuinely his own and not a school class assignment. :-) I'm secretly hoping for runny eggs and burnt toast with overly-sweetened coffee in bed. :-D
As for what I've always done for my mom, I try to find the most touching card out there. I usually spend a couple of hours looking for the perfect one. I also try to find her a small gift that she will like; last year I got her a coffee creamer set that were ceramic roosters, and they go well in her antique farmhouse kitchen.
Since we have a big family, we usually have some kind of get-together at someone's house.
This year, I'd like to do something extra special for her, like take her somewhere or get her something really nice since she's having such a rough time going through chemo right now. So the rest of my week is going to be spent planning...