{"id":2479,"date":"2021-04-30T06:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T10:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=2479"},"modified":"2021-04-29T16:41:18","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T20:41:18","slug":"week-346-mothers-day-is-may-9th-here-are-a-dozen-ideas-that-dont-involve-reservations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/?p=2479","title":{"rendered":"Week #346 \u2013 Mother\u2019s Day is May 9th! (Here are a dozen ideas that DON\u2019T involve reservations!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Week #346 \u2013 Mother\u2019s Day is May 9th! (Here are a dozen ideas that DON\u2019T involve reservations!)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greetings Tribe — and Happy Friday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is my yearly PSA<\/a>\u00a0to remind\u00a0those of you who are celebrating Mother\u2019s Day this year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLAN AHEAD!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this year again<\/a>, it may be different! (Very different!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because this year, once again, you may not be able to just pick up the phone to make any old reservation. So I\u2019m reminding you NOW to take a moment to think about what the ladies in your life REALLY want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I\u2019m not talking about jewelry or clothes, purses, or perfume either \u2014 since money may still be tight, demand is high, and shipping times may be long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I polled over 50 ladies in the week prior to my original post, I asked them:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you REALLY want but are afraid to ask for?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answers may or may not be surprising \u2014 but one thing is for sure: very few of them can be purchased at the mall or served in a restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Which is a good thing\u2026because those may not be great options again this year.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mother\u2019s Day remains one of the most stressful days on the restaurant calendar in a normal year\u2026and this year might be even more stressful due to staffing shortages and remaining protocols.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0It is never a good day to make last minute plans or assume your favorite restaurant can accommodate your party of 14 for brunch. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the lady in your life LOVES to dine out, check in with them early to see what they are offering — and be sure to ask about special to-go menu options that could help you celebrate with a larger party outside or at home, or a gift certificate for a future date or night out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If not, take heart \u2014 and listen to what REAL MOMS told me they REALLY want on Mother\u2019s Day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Starters
\u2013 Extra Sleep:\u00a0<\/strong>this may mean sleeping in, a nap during the day, or an undisputed and early lights-out. \u00a0Most of all \u2014 moms want sleep! (Especially moms who\u2019ve been busy homeschooling their kids this year!)
\u2013 Time Alone:\u00a0<\/strong>moms have a difficult time asking for this because they love their families \u2014 but next to extra sleep, all moms expressed some desire for time alone to read, watch TV, swing in a hammock, putter in the garden, work on a project, or just finish their morning cup of coffee. \u00a0From just a few extra minutes of solitude to 48 hours away from home\u00a0\u2014 moms want a little time that\u2019s all their own! (A super nice bonus for moms who\u2019ve been on top of their families and unable to get away since mid-March of 2020.)
\u2013 Peace & Quiet:\u00a0<\/strong>over and over again, moms longed\u00a0for a day of no fighting, fussing, stress, or strife. \u00a0This is a good day for kids to practice their best behavior — dads too! (Especially after a fully year of all that togetherness!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Main Course
\u2013 Spa Service\/Pampering:\u00a0<\/strong>This may be a big one this year! Meals are big part of any occasion \u2014 but most moms I first polled wanted\u00a0some sort of pampering. \u00a0This year, a massage, manicure, pedicure, facial, or full service may be a much-needed and well-earned gift. By now many services are fully open…and it will be a welcome spa-day when it happens! \u00a0(Just be sure to find out her favorite places \u2014 or get a recommendation from a friend!)
\u2013 Special Dinner at Home:\u00a0<\/strong>The year I took this poll, most moms\u00a0said\u00a0they\u2019d prefer to eat a meal at home \u2014 they just don\u2019t want to be responsible for planning, preparing, and cleaning up after it! \u00a0If you decide to treat mom to a home-cooked feast \u2014 just be sure you are prepared to take care of everything right down to taking out the trash (and if you order out, order early)! \u00a0Cleaning up someone else\u2019s mess is not a gift! \u00a0
\u2013 Time with Family:\u00a0<\/strong>I know, I know \u2014 moms said they wanted time alone, right? \u00a0Well, they also want time with their families. \u00a0Just gathering everyone under one roof, for one day, could make your mom\u2019s year — especially this year when so many families have kept their distance out of love and caution!
\u2013 Gardening & Yard Supplies\/Help:\u00a0<\/strong>Several moms mentioned gardening and yard supplies, and a little help getting things done! \u00a0One of the most entertaining accounts was of a family that gathered to weed and plant while the mom sat in a chair and\u00a0gave instructions!
\u2013 Stuff:\u00a0<\/strong>A hammock, flowers, something pretty, something tasty, a movie night, or a scuba diving excursion later in the year when travel is back to normal \u2014 there is still a desire for presents, but not always the ones you\u2019d expect! \u00a0(Don\u2019t be afraid to ask!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWEET STUFF
\u2013 Handmade Cards\/Projects from Kids: <\/strong>Above all, moms cherish those little creations made by tiny hands!  Engage the kids in a project for mom (preferably while they are out of the house so mom can read, sleep, pamper, putter, or binge watch her favorite show in silence!)
\u2013 Loving Note from Husband\/Significant Other: <\/strong>Several moms mentioned that they love to hear from their husbands\/partners on Mother\u2019s Day.  Just a few words of acknowledgment and appreciation go a long way (but not always all the way\u2026so no strings attached guys, okay?).
\u2013 A Simple Thank You: <\/strong>Two words that mean more than anything money can buy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXTRAS:  <\/strong>It\u2019s hard to make a list of things NOT to do \u2014 but over and over again, moms expressed the desire for a day that included:
\u2013 No Chores <\/strong>(ideally done for her, not left for Monday morning!)
\u2013 No Decisions <\/strong>(mom might like someone else to take the reins today)
\u2013 No Requests<\/strong> (a day without question marks would be delightful)
\u2013 No Fighting <\/strong>(for one day, please!  You can do this!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: Mother\u2019s Day is May 9th! \u00a0Do you know what the mom in your life REALLY wants?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Use this list to jump start the conversation! \u00a0Present her with a home-made menu of options and have her circle her favorites. \u00a0You might even be able to multi-task to make sure she gets a little of everything she wants throughout the day. \u00a0The most important thing, especially this year, is to PLAN AHEAD! \u00a0Please don\u2019t leave it to the last minute. \u00a0You have more than a week!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if it is a restaurant meal \u2014 please make your reservations\/place your order now (and be sure to take care of the staff that takes care of you\u2026 chances are it\u2019s their Mother\u2019s Day too.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Above all: Remember that Mother\u2019s Day is available every day \u2014 not just once a year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[A big THANK YOU once again to all the Dreamers & Builders who took the time to respond to my original poll \u2014 and whose honest sharing made this post possible!]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spread Happyness \u2014 PLAN AHEAD!  And share your Mother\u2019s Day ideas for THIS YEAR in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PS: I realize that for some, Mother\u2019s Day is not always the happiest of holidays \u2014 and this year may have complicated things further. \u00a0Death, disagreements, disconnection, or decline can bring about mixed emotions. \u00a0If this is you, you are not alone. \u00a0Many women reported similar feelings in a normal year, let alone a pandemic. \u00a0Their advice? \u00a0Seek refuge in the comfort of safe friends, the company of like-minded people (while physical distancing, of course!), or in the things that you really want for yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[This post originally appeared on Week #85<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4\/30\/21 by Grace Church
\u00a9 Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Week #346 \u2013 Mother\u2019s Day is May 9th! (Here are a dozen ideas that DON\u2019T involve reservations!) Greetings Tribe — and Happy Friday! This is my yearly PSA\u00a0to remind\u00a0those of you who are celebrating Mother\u2019s Day this year: PLAN AHEAD! And this year again, it may be different! (Very different!) Because this year, once again, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2479"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2482,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2479\/revisions\/2482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spreadhappyness.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}