Mothers Day is fast approaching. This means everywhere I look I’m bombarded with ads and commercials that picture a happy mother cuddling her baby or getting sloppy kisses from her toddler.
The second Sunday of May is often depicted in loving images, with husbands showering their wives with beautiful and expensive presents and children making breakfast in bed for mommy. The mother is often portrayed in saintly ways smiling as her kitchen is wrecked by adorable children out of central casting. Perhaps she’s laughing as her befuddled husband tries to get the kids ready for mom’s one big day off and at the end is handed her “prize” of a bracelet or diamond necklace.
I’ll admit that for my first few Mother’s Days I was more than a little bummed that an orchestra didn’t play as my kids came in with coffee and homemade cards, or that at the end of cleaning up my children’s latest mess, my husband didn’t look down at my tired, stressed out face, take me in his arms, push the hair out of my eyes, and hand me a present to end all presents while my adorable kids giggle in the corner.
I love my life, but it doesn’t come close to the Madison Avenue version I see depicted each year.
If past Mother’s Days are any indication to what will happen this Sunday, I will probably get woken in the middle of the night by a kid with a bad nightmare or a sick tummy. Or I may wake up to find an elbow in my face by a certain 10-year-old who managed to sneak in between my husband and me at the first crack of dawn.
As I clean up the sick child, or tell tell the intruder to get back to their own bed, I’ll hear Joe mumble “Happy Mother’s Day” while we both crack up at the way our life has turned out.
If I should be lucky enough to fall back to sleep, I have a pretty good chance of being woken up to my daughter serenading me, from my now locked door, with a few choruses of, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” all while Joe is yelling,“Let Mommy sleep; it’s Mother’s Day.’”
That will be followed by his pleas to sign my card and telling someone to stop picking their nose, hitting their brother, or eating the special breakfast that is meant just for me.
Then my family will come in my room all smiles.
If I’m really lucky, I may get to hear in no particular order: “Stop hitting me.” “I’m not hitting you.” “You’re such a pain in the _____________. (We have a 16-year-old so I’m sure you can guess how that line is going to end). “Don’t talk to your brother and sister that way.” But only if I’m really lucky.
I will be handed presents, pictures, cards, and coffee. I will ooh and ah as I hear how they picked out the presents and who tried to make a break for it at the store, or who had a meltdown at the bank because there were no more lollipops.
Then we will have breakfast and go about our day. Maybe we will take a ride to the beach or a park. The last few years we have started a tradition of going to the nursery and buying some plants. I may even get a minute to put them in the ground while the kids help me. And by help, I mean watch them soak each other with the hose and get covered in dirt.
Dinner will be either sushi or Chinese food, followed by a cake that says, Happy Mother’s Day. Then kids will be shooed into the shower as I sing a nightly chorus of, did you brush your teeth, wash your hair, with shampoo and remember to put underwear on. Since it’s Mother’s Day I might add a few dance moves to really jazz it up.
I will be tired, stressed out, and not at all relaxed.
I will look at Joe, laugh and thank him for another great Mother’s Day.
And you know what, it will be.
This piece was first published on the Dishwasher, May 5, 2013, under the title, Mother’s Day in All It’s Glory. It has been revised from the original.
Kathy, you always write so vivid and beautiful. I could picture your entire day. Maybe it’s not what the Hallmark cards describe but it’s your special day with your wonderful family. Enjoy! xoxo
nancy@skinnykitchen.com recently posted…Skinny Asian Chicken and Noodle Bowl
Thanks so much sweet friend! Happy Mother’s day to you too! xo
You pretty much described my Mother’s Day, too and yet I think you also wouldn’t trade it for the world. Happy early Mother’s Day, my dear friend;) xoxo!!
Janine Huldie recently posted…In Reality (Super) Moms Lose the Cape
I wouldn’t trade it for the world either sweet friend! xo
Happy, Happy Mother’s Day Kathy!
I’m with you. Mother’s day. It’s really for everyone else. Still nice but maybe this year, you’ll take a little spa day away for a bit. 🙂
alisa/icescreammama recently posted…Finally, My dead grandma has come for a visit. It’s about time.
Spa days are always great!!!! I love Mother’s Day I just had to learn how to dial back my expectations and just enjoy my crazy family! xo Happy Mother’s Day!
Yes, it’s just another day with sometimes a card. It definitely isn’t a Hallmark commercial that’s for sure. And while I wouldn’t trade it for the world, I do sometimes wonder how waking to a kid’s toe in my nose became the highlight of the day 🙂
Kerri recently posted…Keeping some things private
It really is wonderful in all it’s messy glory isn’t it? Wishing you a great Mother’s Day! 🙂
Madison Ave. – take note! This is Mother’s Day.
Kerry recently posted…My Outrageous Mother’s Day Wish List
We are lucky it is, aren’t we? For the all the mess and craziness it’s a great gig!! Happy Mother’s Day!
Yes it is just another day. I have lowered my expectations to hopefully getting a cup of coffee brewed for me. So far my husband has never let me down.
It is a fun day, but I think expectations can really harm us on these type of holidays!! Wish you a great Mother’s Day! xo
Wait, you get a cake? I want a cake. This really does sound like a great day though. Enjoy it, one day they will all be grown and off on their own!!
Nicole Johnson recently posted…Ten Step Prep for a Sh*t Show Birthday
You describe your household as a circus… Those are the best kind. Isn’t it wonderful?
All three of my kids are grown, have moved out… well, one moved back in… These days are often overlooked now. But, back in their day, they were a site to behold.
Myke Todd recently posted…Weeping Willow Walk (for Lainey)
Sounds much more charming than the Madison Ave version! Who can really trust a toddler with the cashflow to buy Mom a diamond necklace?
Aussa Lorens recently posted…I Almost Died On My Honeymoon. Twice.
I like your version way better! Sounds like the perfect day to me. I like how you lowered your expectations, too. That pressure is just no fun for anyone.
Jill Ginsberg recently posted…Ways I know your stupid automatic checkout machine sucks, Fred Meyer
Love this. Happy Mothers’ Day 🙂
Mary Widdicks recently posted…Mothers’ Day Confession: I Want My Husband To Fail
I used to joke that I loved Mother’s Day…until 3 pm. That was when everyone stopped celebrating and I was left with the clean up!
Sharon Greenthal recently posted…From a Princess to Pop Stars – the Week in Fashion
Love this and yes, that sounds great! Unfortunately, we won’t have the kiddos with us (they’ll be with their moms), but my hubby took them to buy gifts last weekend and we had fun playing games and hanging out then. It’s all in your perspective and the better your outlook, the better the day. Enjoy!
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