It's Mothering Sunday .... What are you hoping for? This Sunday is Mothering Sunday in the UK, and we're always up for celebrating Mums!
And we’re bombarded with ads for ‘perfect’ presents, from luxury spa days to breakfast-in-bed kits. But what do mums really want on their special day?
If you’re like us, the answer isn’t always wrapped in ribbon (although we like that too!) ….
I'd like not to have to find anything for anyone for a whole day.
I want to stay in bed and sleep, all by myself, until I don’t feel tired. I'd like someone else to decide what we're eating, then shop, prepare, cook and clear up afterwards!
All I want is a day when everyone gets along together.
I’d like to have a bath all by myself for as long as I like …
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. A recent study found that 58% of mums crave some uninterrupted time for themselves on Mothering Sunday, while 51% would love quality family time. Over a third of mums? They just want to sleep!
It seems that most mums are seeking a short break from being responsible for anyone other than themselves. And maybe experiencing a few moments of ‘flow’ the feeling of being totally absorbed in something, free from distractions, perfectly balanced by challenge and ease.
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who coined the term, found that flow is most often experienced in solitude. But for mums, alone time is rare.… Studies show we’re correcting toddlers every three minutes and repeating requests to under-fives up to 24 times an hour (most of which are ignored!).
So, when was the last time you did something that gave you a sense of flow?
Maybe the answer comes easily, or maybe it’s buried beneath the endless to-do list. Even if we do know what we need, how often do we actually ask for it?
For one day, what if we gave ourselves permission to put our own needs first? To say, “I love you all to bits, and today, I need to do something that’s just for me.”
If that feels right, fantastic - enjoy your well-deserved time. But if it feels uncomfortable, as if wanting something for yourself is somehow wrong, maybe it’s worth asking yourself why.
As mothers, we love deeply, give endlessly, and put our children’s needs before our own – regularly, but not constantly.
There are moments, like this Sunday, when we can allow ourselves the gift of rest, joy, and renewal. Because when we take care of ourselves, we return to our families recharged, ready to pour love back into them for another 364 days.
Another thing that many mums hope for, and don’t always get, is that wonderful feeling of being appreciated. We know how important it is for our children to feel this way. Receiving an authentic, heartfelt acknowledgement – in any form – is the gift that keeps on giving!
Oh, and one last thing …. Your family might not automatically know what you truly want. You can wait and see … or you can tell them!