Mother’s Days That I Would Rather Forget

My first Mother’s Day was memorable. But not for a happy reason. I thought I would get to sleep in, enjoy a day of pampering and receive a sweet card on which my husband had forged my six-month-old’s signature. What I got instead was a sinus infection. I spent the day fevering and miserable. I thought, “Well, it can’t get worse than this.”

I was wrong. Before Mother’s Day 2017, my third child was born so I spent that Sunday in the hospital receiving treatment for a spinal headache caused by my epidural. Having a needle stuck in my back wasn’t what I envisioned for my “special day.”

On the Mother’s Days in between, I’ve received handprint ornaments, flower paintings and a homemade pinch pot to hold my spare change.

My husband has gotten better at forging the children’s signatures, and my one request to not have to cook that day has been honored.

It’s easy for new moms to have high expectations for Mother’s Day. The greeting card companies and jewelry commercials make it hard to ignore. I have three tips on how to always have a successful Mother’s Day:

1) Communicate your expectations clearly. Remind your husband that it is his responsibility to get a card from the children. He also can facilitate a handmade craft or shop for a gift with the children. But don’t expect a big to-do if you claimed you had no expectations.

2) Keep in mind that life happens. People get sick. People forget to mark their calendars. Gifts are chosen with the best intentions even if they are not exactly what you wanted.

3) Remember the purpose of the holiday. It is an occasion to celebrate mothers. That includes you, but it’s not about only you.

Take the time to show appreciation for the mothers in your life and it will come back to you.