Silly Me

This is my own sort of Mother’s Day gift guide.  I know it’s late, but it really works for all gift giving occasions.  Tony did a great job showing me how much he appreciates me and really making me feel special.  Unfortunately, some husbands miss the mark.  And this is for them.  A list of what not to do.

•  If your wife is says she is going to the store to buy flowers for her mother (or your mother) DO NOT tell her to pick some up for herself.
• DO NOT ask your wife if she would mind if you took a nap.
• DO NOT tell you wife that you will clean the outside while she cleans the inside.
• DO NOT ask her what is for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack.
• DO NOT get her a gift certificate so she can buy something FOR YOUR CHILD unless you want a bunch of board books and rattles for Father’s Day.
• DO NOT go hang out with your friends or do stuff for yourself while she takes care of everything at home.
• And most of all, DO NOT forget to tell her “Happy Mother’s Day”.  It is such a simple thing, but it means SO MUCH to hear it.

Sadly, the entire list comes from friends whose husbands did a less that stellar job.  

And since I’m nice, I won’t leave you totally in the dark.  Here’s a list of suggestions to make her day a little better.

• Let her sleep in until she wakes up on her own.  Kids are scary, but you can handle it.
• Make her breakfast or even take her some place.  Just don’t make her cook. (This goes for all meals.)
• Try to plan something nice for the day.  Better yet, ask her (before the actual day) what she would like to do.  If she wants to spend the day relaxing at home, let her.  If she’d like to go get a massage, pay for it and send her on her way.
• Clean the house.  Maybe it doesn’t have to be perfect, but the effort you make will be much appreciated.
• Plan plan plan!  Don’t try to run out the night before to get her flowers.  If the kids are old enough, work with them on a craft project a few days before.  Get things ready for a picnic at the park.  The kids can play while your wife relaxes and she’ll love it.  You don’t have to go all out, I promise.  Efforts are recognized and it really really is the THOUGHT that counts.  So put some actual thought into it.

These things really aren’t hard.  I’m surprised in this TV/internet age men aren’t more informed about this stuff.  You don’t have to spend a bunch of money to make a Mother’s Day special.  Really, all a mother wants is to be understood and appreciated.  Tell her Happy Mother’s Day and try to show her how much you care.