5 Mother's Day Ideas to Give Moms the Break They Deserve Year-Round

It's almost that time of year again - Mother's Day! The day where we get a little extra love and appreciation for all that we do as moms. As moms, we often carry a heavy burden of responsibility on our shoulders. From the endless loads of laundry, meal planning, and managing schedules, it can be easy to lose sight of who we are outside of motherhood. It's important to take breaks and give ourselves some much-needed self-care time. No better time for it than Mother's Day, but let's be real, if it's only one day out of the year you feel appreciated and taken care of–it's not enough!

What do Mom's Really Want for Mother's Day?

Yes, Mother's Day can be a special occasion. Who doesn't find it heartwarming to receive homemade macaroni necklaces, construction paper cards coated in glitter, and burnt toast in bed from the sweet little people who made us moms? The pride and love on their faces is probably the best gift a mother could ask for, but what most moms really want is a break from our daily routine and responsibilities. We want to be someone other than "Mom" for one day and feel like the well-rested, intelligent, passionate people we were before we signed up for this whole motherhood gig.

The top Mother's Day wishes according to a recent Parents.com survey were sleep and a day off or alone time. Keeping these wishes in mind, here are some Mother's Day ideas to give moms what we really want on our special day – and truly any day of year.

Netflix and Chill

Firstly, getting the house to ourselves can be a real treat for moms, who are constantly cooking, cleaning, and tending to other people's needs. To celebrate Mom on Mother's Day, pack the kids up after breakfast and don't come back until dinnertime (but bring dinner home with you—Mom is off kitchen duty for the day). Alternatively, book Mom a local hotel room for the day (or night) so they can indulge in the peace and quiet without the temptation of cleaning the house while you're out.

Moms' Day Out

Moms may want to spend the day with our own mothers. Some moms want to spend the day at a nice restaurant, spa, or salon with their own mothers, or their fellow mom friends. Getting pampered is twice the fun with good company. Pampering means different things to different people—some love a massage, others crave a fresh manicure, and some haven't had a proper haircut for months or years!

Leave the Planning to Someone Else

Maybe Mom doesn't need a break from the little rascals, but rather a break from being the family's logistics mastermind. Let Mom take a chill pill and spend some quality time with the fam doing something wild and wacky. Take a spontaneous day trip to a random destination, hang out with some exotic animals at the local zoo, or get lost hiking in the great outdoors. But here's the catch – she's not allowed to lift a finger when it comes to planning and packing – the other parent is taking over for a change.

Let Dad handle the "Boring" Stuff

Every family is different, but often it's Moms who keep the ship sailing smoothly, while Dads get to be the zany, wacky parent who makes things interesting. So, for a change let Mom take the kids out for ice cream or play games together while Dad takes care of the not-so-fun stuff, like discipline, bedtime routines, and other "boring" but necessary things.

Along the same lines, create a complaint free zone around Mom for a day. Getting to spend the whole day alone may not be possible, but moms can at least ask for a little peace and quiet. Set the stage the night before and direct the kids to submit their grievances to another responsible adult during their waking hours.

Pursue your passion

If you can't remember the last time you had a hobby or personal passion, it's time to start digging! Maybe it's time to break out the old knitting needles, join an improv group, or enroll in a belly dance class. Anything goes, as long as it makes you happy! Who knows, maybe you'll even discover a hidden talent for charcuterie board arrangements or interpretive dance. The important thing is to let Mom find something that sparks joy and lets her embrace her inner weirdness.

Let's talk about mom guilt, shall we? You may be thinking, "Is it really okay for me to take a break and focus on myself?" Absolutely! Instead of feeling selfish, think of it as an opportunity to raise a self-confident partner and parent. How else will Dad learn that your toddler doesn't like her sandwich cut diagonally? And how else can your littles learn to trust Grandpa with bedtime storytelling? So go ahead, take some time for yourself and let the other caretakers in your life shine. Who knows, maybe they'll even surprise you with some creative parenting wins. Fingers crossed!

Some people might think that once you become a parent, your days of pursuing your personal dreams are over. But that's just not true. I was able to return to martial arts and earn my black belt in Aikido even after having two kids. I know several mom bosses who are killing it in their careers before coming home to the toughest job of all. Showing your kids that you have a life beyond them is important and inspiring. After all, who wants to raise a tiny narcissist who thinks the world revolves around them?

So, this Mother's Day, take a moment to appreciate all the hard work and love that moms put into their families day in and day out. Sleep, a day off, or alone time are some of the top Mother's Day wishes. But why wait for one day a year to have these basic needs met? Let's normalize taking care of the moms in our lives year-round. By doing so, we not only show our love and appreciation but also teach our kids the importance of prioritizing self-care and pursuing personal passions. These are crucial for all parents, and it's never too late to start.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there!