I’m not sure where the year has gone, but in a few short weeks, it’s going to be Mother’s Day.
As a dad, I know it’s up to me to help the kids celebrate their mom and I’m all for it. After all, their mom is also the love of my life. After years of practice, I’ve discovered three key things that help the day run smoothly.
I thought I’d pass along the tricks that I’ve learned by trial and error to assist you as you help your kids.
- Start Early
I remember rushing to the store, kids in tow, the night before Mother’s Day one year. The kids had been asking all week to go, but I had been swamped with work and one of them had been sick for a few days. It was a comedy of errors in trying to even get out to the store to shop.
So, there we were, the night before Mother’s Day, the kids were excited and I was frazzled. If I learned anything at that moment, it was that waiting until the last minute to shop for Mother’s Day was not such a great idea. The earlier you start, the less stressed you (and the kids!) will be.
Also, a pro-Dad tip for you – don’t shop near naptime, bedtime, or right before a meal. No one is a happy shopper during those times!
- Homemade is Often the Most Cherished
Don’t get me wrong, my wife loves beautiful things just as much as any other woman, but what I’ve learned over the years is that she treasures the things the kids make for her.
There’s a big difference between liking the store-bought Mother’s Day card and carefully tucking away the handmade one. If your kids like to make things, let them. If they’re more into buying something special, that’s okay too. But moms? They like things with a personal touch.
- Let the Kids’ Idea’s Rule
The great thing about Mother’s Day in our house is that it’s a team effort. The kids and I work together to make the day special for their mom. If they want to bring her breakfast in bed, I encourage them to do so.
If they want to bring her flowers, we go buy or pick some. If they think she’d love the stretchy keychain, because it’s the color of sunshine, we get it.
I make sure they know that this is their chance to do the things they think their mom will like. Of course, I have been known to sneak in some ideas of my own, but for the most part, the day is kid-planned and father-approved.
Mother’s Day, like any other holiday, takes some planning, but it’s well worth it. Not only do you set a great example for how to treat your wife and the mother of your children, you also get a chance to work as a team with your kids.
That bonding time is especially important and if you can do it as you think of ways to make your wife feel special that’s even better. Happy Mother’s Day planning to you all!
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