When I was a kid, I wanted to be able to buy my mother gifts for Mother’s Day or celebrate by taking her out to lunch. She would always resist and say things like, “the best gift is getting to be your mom”. I didn’t understand, of course, until I became a mother. We didn’t become parents just for the holiday benefits. We would have still had children whether or not clay hand-print plaques and sentimental poems were part of the bargain. But here we are again with this holiday looming nearer. What is a mother to do?

To Eat Out or Not?

My sister-in-law, who has worked in the restaurant industry for most of her adult life, will admonish you to stay away from restaurants on Mother’s Day. Everybody and their dog wants to take Mom out for brunch/lunch and maybe even dinner, too.  This, of course, is a personal choice.  Just be ready to endure long waits and a harried wait staff.  Some places will take reservations but those will need to be made several days, preferably several weeks, in advance. Personally, our Mother’s Day tradition for several years now, has been to grab sandwiches from a local deli and head to the park. Or maybe try a potluck with a few friends or neighbors? However you choose to do it, being together is always the primary goal. That and minimal cooking and clean-up for you.

Breakfast-in-bed or disaster waiting to happen?

This is the quintessential Mother’s Day activity. Kids love to bring Mom breakfast in bed. For all intent and purposes, this is one of those, “it’s the thought that counts” occasions. However, if you’d really like to avoid soggy cereal, burnt toast and leftover Easter jelly beans for breakfast, I have two words for you: be prepared. Why not stop by your favorite bakery or grocery store the day before and bring home those scones you absolutely adore or those croissants that are melt in your mouth perfect? Grab some strawberries or melon, your favorite juice and/or coffee then take it home and place it all strategically in your kitchen. Your stomach and taste buds will thank you.

Family time extravaganza or retreat in solitude?

This can be a tough one. We’re mothers and we wouldn’t even have this holiday on our radar if it wasn’t for those small people who leave fingerprints on the walls and come home with sand in their shoes. We already spend a lot of time with them and a whole day to do things like go to the bathroom without an audience can be pretty appealing. If it can be managed, I like to try to fit the best of both options into the day. Whatever you do, don’t feel guilty. Motherhood already comes with enough guilt without adding to it ourselves.

Remember who it’s really about.

And no, it’s not me or you. What I’ve come to realize about this holiday is that it gives my children a chance to honor me; just like I wanted to do for my mother when I was a child. I’ve seen the delight in their eyes when they hand over homemade cards and tissue paper wrapped trinkets, when they know they have pleased me with their deeds. It really is the best gift, getting to be their Mom. And that’s definitely something to celebrate.

photos from iCLIPART