Seattle's Child

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Moms, what do you really want for Mother’s Day?

We decided to ask moms what they really want for Mother’s Day. Below are some of the answers we received — both from our (mom-dominated) staff and from readers. Do you want to be spoiled or left alone? And where do you stand on breakfast in bed? Do you savor this delightful treat or do you just fret over what state you’ll find your kitchen in? We can’t promise that you’ll get what you want, but — who knows? — maybe your partners and kids will get the hint. Names will be omitted to protect the honesty.

 

  • I used to want the day alone when my kids were young and “needy” but now that they’re teenagers, an afternoon spent snuggling with them on the couch watching MY choice of TV or movies, with them making the popcorn and bringing me chocolates when I ask sounds delightful.
  • Day of nothing.  No laundry. No cooking.  No “Mom, can you …?” I still want to hang out with my family, but I want to be off the hook for all and any duties.
  • Flowers.  Just send me a lovely bouquet and I’m happy.
  • A massage, with a focus on the feet.
  • I covet a SodaStream fizzy-water maker. My family would not have guessed this, so I was very specific and even helpfully cut out a coupon from Bartell Drugs.
  • My ideal Mother’s Day is to not be mom (or wife) for the day! In the past, my husband has taken our son out of town to visit grandparents. I then spend the day just relaxing at home — catching up on trash TV, working on an art project, and eating what I want (not what everyone else will eat). Or … Send me to a nice meal that I can enjoy without the table moving.
  • Breakfast in bed: I was on the fence about this until last year, when my daughter surprised me with perfectly prepared bacon, eggs and pancakes. When I asked how she had pulled this all off, her answer was the best gift of all: “Mom, you’ve been making me breakfast all my life; I just watched you.”
  • For heaven’s sake, let me sleep in! Dad, load those kids in the car and go get me a gourmet coffee drink and a decadent pastry. Then bring it to me around 9 a.m., and afterward take me to some local nurseries to pick out some plants and I’m golden.
  • I just want to sleep in, and not have to cook anything for anybody all day! That is all.
  • As a single mama to an active 3-year-old, I would love a mini-vacation with my sweet pea to Vashon or Bainbridge Island while someone cleans our house for us. Maybe a pedicure or massage, too.
  • Sleep in, clean house, not having to cook or figure out meals.
  • Pancakes! And a family hike.
  • Sleep in, breakfast in bed, clean house, and a two- to three-hour massage and facial, then to be ‘dressed up’ by someone else so I’m not in my usual sweats with my hair in a ponytail and can feel like a beautiful woman.

So what do you want for Mother’s Day? Whatever it is, enjoy it!

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2019

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About the Author

Julie Hanson