Why I Don’t Spend Mother’s Day With My Children and Why You Should Consider It Too

The best gift my husband gave me on my first official Mother’s Day was absolving me of any and all mommy duties on that day. I mean no getting kids dressed, no cleaning, no cooking, no laundry, no family brunch lunch or dinner at a crowded restaurant. Not even a crowded church service filled with people that only go to church Christmas, Mother’s Day, or Easter (no offense to CME church members. I would be completely untethered from mommy obligations. Shake the mommy off of me and exhale! Eight years later, the ritual continues. I have been waiting with baited breath for the day my kids approach saying that they want to spend the Mother’s Day with me or bring me breakfast in bed but fortunately they are still none the wiser even as 6 and 8 year olds.  

Yes Mothers Day is about creating memories and being doted on by your family, but I really want to offer a different perspective: Mother’s Day is about you and what you want to do. Not what your family wants to do for you. I will never forget Mother’s Day 2016, I was waiting for a table at my favorite breakfast spot when this family of 4 walked in. I wished the mom a happy Mother’s Day and she asked if I was a mom. I told her yes and shared that I spend Mother’s Day without kids. Her response: “that sounds wonderful”. It was wonderful and should not be that far out of the realm of reality for other Moms. 

Now I know that there are some moms who genuinely enjoy spending Mother’s Day with their kids, and posting the obligatory social media pictures out and about and of all the gifts. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However I just want to challenge you on if you are doing it because you genuinely look forward to every opportunity to be reminded that you are are a mom versus feeling obligated to spend the day with them because it is Mother’s Day.  If you are still not convinced that spending Mother’s Day sans kids here are 5 more reasons why:

You might be feeling a little inspired by the possibilities and need some inspiration! Don’t worry! Here is my ideal day!

Don’t get my wrong!  I love being a Mom.  I love my kids.  I love my husband. I even love a great brunch, but Mother’s Day will forever be Mommy Break Day for me!  I hope that it can be that for you too!