Is a "Coronavirus Mother's Day" Even A Thing???
OK, Dads. I have some news: Mother’s Day is basically tomorrow. I mean, it’s a few days after tomorrow, but in this Corona Craziness, who even knows when a day starts and when the next one begins? It’s all a blur. So let’s just be real for a moment... Mother’s Day has quite possibly snuck up on you. So I’m here to speak for all moms everywhere:
It’s OK.
No, really. This is the ONE year we actually mean it. It’s OK.
DO NOT feel bad. For real. We get it.
If I had to guess, it most likely has snuck up on your wife as well. No one knows what month it is, let alone what day of the week. To remember a specific holiday? Fuhgettaboutit.
Now before a Wife Reader gets her face mask in a wad, let me just remind all us moms in the house… We didn’t know what day yesterday was. We have let go of strict bedtimes. We have given our kids way more sugar than we ever dreamed we would. We have worn the same sweatpants 3 days in a row - sometimes with a shower thrown in the mix. Sometimes. (Oh relax, we can’t be fancy every day.) Our roots are at least 12 weeks grown out, which let’s just be honest, is a glaring reminder of all other grooming that is now grown out. (Is going to the store for a razor considered “essential?” Meh. *hits “watch next episode” of Gilmore Girls*) The truth is, life is weird right now. Really weird. And hard. And overwhelming. And messy. And heavy. And if all of that exists, then our husband’s execution of Mother’s Day is allowed to be weird and hard and overwhelming and messy too. Right?
So what does that mean? Mother’s Day is getting skipped this year? Oh sweet Lord, I hope not! I think it just means that the things we say every single year before Mother’s Day? We ACTUALLY MEAN IT. We really DO just want time together as a family without any kids fighting. We really do just want a clean house. (Can I get a witness!?!?) We really do just want something homemade. This year, more than ever, we understand the value of life. We view our families as the gift that they are. It is not about the fancy and the sparkly. It is about the profound miraculous gift of being alive and the ability to have breath. The privilege of giving and receiving love in a family unit that knows the best and the worst of one another - and loves, STILL.
So Dads, if you’re looking to help your kids honor their mom this Mother’s Day while Sheltering-in-Place, here are a few ideas:
Clean It Like You Mean It! I already hinted at it above, but I cannot overstate the power of a husband and kids working in the home to bless their mama. This does take foresight and planning, to really bless her best. On Saturday (or Friday), send Mom to her room. Pour her a glass of whatever she loves, and give her the Netflix remote. Or her favorite book. “Lock” her in her room with her feet up, while you and the kids scurry around the house, tidying, vacuuming, sweeping, moping, windex-ing... (And don’t forget to KEEP IT THAT WAY until the official Day of Mom.)
(Pro tip: there is a strong possibility this will make her want to “lock” you in the room with her later that night… #cleaningforyourwifecanbeforeplay #yourewelcome also#nopromises) ;)
Positive Post-Its! If you have some Post-It Notes laying around, you’re halfway there! Take some of those sticky notes and write affirmations on them. Have the kids write one positive affirmation of Mom on each note, and then stick them all over the home! Wherever Mom goes, she will feel loved, seen, and valued! (Hint: Be creative! In the fridge, inside the kitchen cabinets, in a shoe… The way you’ll know you’ve succeeded, is if she keeps finding them for days afterward!)
Mirror Messages! If you don’t have Post-It Notes, fear not! Grab a dry erase marker and get writing! You and the kids can write love notes to Mom on every mirror in the house! You can even simply write, “You Are…” at the top, and write descriptive words all over the mirror. Then when she sees her reflection, she will know exactly how YOU see her!
Homemade Anything! I truly mean this. Got some beads laying around? Find a string and let the kids turn it into a homemade necklace for Mom. Can’t find a long string? Make it a bracelet! ;) I’ve been wearing a quarantine bracelet for days now - made with love by my youngest. You better believe I’m not taking this thing off until if falls off! <3 Have the kids draw a picture of them with their mom. Let them bake for Mom. (as long as you supervise and clean up afterward!) ;) This category also includes cards. Homemade cards are THE BEST… but ESPECIALLY if they have words of gratitude in them. Sit down with your kids. Encourage them to be specific about what they appreciate about their mom. If paragraphs are hard, use an acrostic. (Cheesy? Maybe. Timeless? Yes!) Words are special from the Littles, but they are extra powerful from your Big Kids. Jr High and High Schoolers? There is NO greater gift they can give, than their affirming WORDS.
Cha-Cha-Chalk! Let the kids go outside and create a “Love Path” with Chalk. Words of affirmation, pictures, hearts… When Mom opens the front door, let her follow the words and take a Walk of Love.
Good Old Fashioned Breakfast in Bed! The only way to screw this one up, is to bring it in too early. Let mom sleep in, if she desires. Then don’t forget to sing “Happy Mother’s Day” (to the tune of Happy Birthday) as you parade the kids in with a tray of yumminess.
Pamper the Princess! A foot rub, a back rub, a hand rub… Go for it! Put a kid on each foot! ;) Serve her for the day. Take her drink order. Give her a bell and let her ring it when she needs something. Have FUN with it!
ASK HER. Perhaps the greatest gift you can give your wife this Mother’s Day, is to ask her what she’d like to do. Does she want to go on a hike? (while social distancing, of course) Or stay in her jammies all day? Does she want to have a meal cooked at home? Or would she prefer to order in. (be prepared for delivery delays on Mother’s Day) Or maybe she wants a picnic!
(Note to Wives: If your husband asks what you would like to do on Mother’s Day, this is not unromantic. Yes, you might want him to just “know” what to plan, but if he asks, that shows he cares. We are living in messy times, remember? How kind of him to even know it’s May.) ;)
The bottom line? Stores are closed. Amazon is slower than usual. But let’s be honest - everything “essential” for Mother’s Day is under your roof already. <3
Enjoy each other. Count your blessings. And have a Happy Mother’s Day!
