Every year, my husband and kids try to find the perfect gift for me for Mother’s Day. They’ve tried flowers, chocolate, tech gadgets, jewelry and even clothing. While I love everything they have given me, I haven’t been completely honest with them when they ask me what I want each year. So this year, I’m sharing the 10 things that I REALLY want for Mother’s Day.
8 Hours of Uninterrupted Sleep
Thinking back over the last glorious 12+ years of being a Mom, I can’t remember one night that I actually enjoyed a full 8 hours of sleep without someone waking me up. One of my girls is almost always thirsty, hungry, scared, sick, wanting to sleep in my bed, up way too early… the list goes on and on and on. This year, I want to go to sleep and wake up when I’m ready, without any alarm clocks.
More Girl Time With My Besties
I hardly see my friends anymore. Motherhood has made us all so busy. We’re either working, taking our kids to activities, or just so tired we can’t imagine leaving our house past 8pm. Remember the days when our nights didn’t even get started until 11pm? Sigh… So this year, I would love more girl time with my besties. Oh how I could use some good ‘ol adult conversation. We could order some food and laugh the night away (or until 9pm when we all realize that we are at that age where we can’t stay up much later).
One Day Without Questions
If I was paid a dollar for every question my kids asked me, I would be a billionaire. It’s not even that I don’t want to answer them, but sometimes I just have no idea how to answer them. The other day my oldest asked me how many times I’ve heard a particular song in my life. Because clearly I keep track of those things. And when I’m not being asked questions I couldn’t possibly answer, I get asked things like, “what do love bugs eat?” Isn’t that why we have Google? So this year, I’d like one day without any questions. Not a single one. All day.
An Uninterrupted Bath
Just once I would love to take a bath without someone knocking on the door, sitting outside the door waiting for me to come out, or someone sticking their little tiny fingers under the door (or any other object or body part for that matter). So this year, I’d like ear plugs, a nice warm bubble bath and complete privacy. I may be in there for a while, but no need to check on me. I’ll be fine.
A Whine Free Day
364 days out of the year, I am forced to listen to my kids whine about any and everything. The food is too hot, the wi-fi isn’t fast enough, she took my toy, she won’t get out of the bathroom, I can’t sleep without a light on, I can’t sleep with a light on… the whining is endless. So this year, how about we put a cork in it, at least for one full day.
A House That Stays Clean for More Than 10 Minutes
When I do take the time to clean the house, I would LOVE for it to stay clean for more than 10 minutes. A whole day would be even more amazing. So this year, not only would I love for someone to clean the house, but once it’s clean, I would love for it to stay clean for the entire day so that I’m able to walk from one end of the house to the other without accidentally stepping on a Lego and cursing under my breath.
A Laundry Fairy
Laundry. It’s the dirtiest word in my vocabulary. At this point of my life, I don’t want to see it, smell it, do it or pick it up from the floor. I often dream of a magical land where a fairy visits, waves her magic wand and all of the laundry is washed, dried, folded and put away where it belongs. So this year, I’d love for someone else to do the laundry. Or, maybe they could just hide it all from me, just for one day.
A Handmade Card
There is nothing that I love more than when my kids spend 20 minutes making me a card. Their little pictures of me with a stick body and huge feet are always a favorite. The cards almost always include a coupon for a free back rub that they conveniently throw away before I have a chance to use it. This year, I’d love for them to spend an hour or two, creating the perfect card.
Control of the TV
I’ve watched all of the cartoons I can stand. I walk around the house singing “Daddy Finger” and “Baby Shark” on a regular basis. I know every character on Dora the Explorer. I even respond to her when she asks which way she should go. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve even found myself watching kid’s channels after my kids have gone to sleep, because I just forget to change the channel. So, this year, I’d like to be able to control the television for just one day. Give me all the Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Let me enjoy hours of drama, comedy and adults talking about adult things.
Nothing at All
All kidding aside, the best gifts I’ve ever received were each one of my daughters. I love them more than the whole world and there could never be a gift better than the daily gift of being their Mom. So, this year, instead of a gift, I’ll take a big hug and a big kiss from each of them. And once they’re all tucked in and asleep, I’ll treat myself to a nice bath and a bite of that secret chocolate I’ve hidden in a spot they will never find it.
Yes, yes and yes to everything you just said! 8 hours of sleep sounds like an absolute dream… an impossible dream. I could use some rest time… it’s so valuable.