What Mum Really Wants For Mother’s Day

Last year was my first Mother’s Day. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I think I was just looking forward to breakfast in bed or some chocolates or a nice lunch out (incidentally I was given a great book by Adelaide author Jane Paech, A Family in Paris). I got something even better. What I felt was an amazing thankfulness that I had been lucky enough to celebrate Mother’s Day. I was now a mother. It was something I had always imagined, and at that stage I had been a mother for over 5 months. Yet it wasn’t until Mother’s Day that I realised in fact how very fortunate I am. On Mother’s Day, I was just happy to be a Mum. Full stop.

Later when I asked my Mum what her most memorable Mother’s Day gift had been (in preparation for a radio interview with Amanda Blair) I expected her to come up with something like our handmade gifts, or a family photo, or a day trip we took. Perhaps even the surf fishing rod Dad gave her (true story, although I think it was actually a birthday present!). But no, she did not give any of these answers.

What Was My Mum’s Most Memorable Mother’s Day Present?

My mum’s answer – the Mother’s Day she woke up and no one was home.

Yes, that’s right. There was no one there delivering breakfast in bed. There was no one with flowers or chocolates. There was no one trying to crawl under the covers and snuggle with her, fighting to see who got the best possie.

No one. At all.

This was my mum’s dream. In two words – peace and quiet. For a whole day.

It seems Dad had gotten us all up early, bundled us in the car and taken us somewhere. Mum had no idea where. She didn’t care.

Would You Dare Recreate My Mum’s Most Memorable Mother’s Day?

I’m not sure where Dad got the inspiration for this amazing Mother’s Day Gift. Perhaps mum had dropped a few subtle and not so subtle hints. I am sure in the tradition of my Dad, Mum never actually dreamed it would come true.

So what about the mum in your life?

Would the mum in your life (your wife, your sister, your daughter, your cousin) be overwhelmed if on Mother’s Day you simply snuck the kids out of the house and left her to it?

What about if you also left a pre-booked massage voucher on the kitchen bench next to some flowers? (Although, I can hear my mum say “I wouldn’t even want to have to go anywhere. Then I’d actually have to get up, have a shower, get dressed……..!”).

How about if you left some chocolates, a bottle of wine or her favourite tea, a pile of her favourite DVD’s and a new pair of Ugg Boots?

Sometimes the best gift is not actually a gift at all. In this case my Dad had truly given my Mum the gift of time. The gift of time all to herself. To do whatever she wanted. Whenever she wanted. No interruptions, no whining, no fighting.

I don’t think I will need  my Mum’s most memorable Mother’s Day recreated this year. However, I can imagine there will come a time when I will appreciate this just as much as my Mum. (Tim, perhaps bookmark this post for future reference!).

What is your most memorable Mother’s Day? What is your mum’s most memorable Mother’s Day? We’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below.

P.S. If all of this seems like a lot to organise, you know you can ask your personal concierge to help out!