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Original poster

Mums of adult children, what do you want/expect on mother's day?

61 replies

BreviloquentBastard · 21/02/2023 12:42

I know it's a bit away yet but I'm hoping to field some ideas from other mums of adult children.

My mother is one of the hardest people in the world to buy for as she has everything she wants and needs, is very minimalist, doesn't like chocolate, sweets or booze, makes all her own clothes, doesn't use any makeup or hair products, has one cleanser that she always has plenty of, and always just says "oh I don't know, surprise me!"

I love her to bits, she's a wonderful mum. She LOVES mother's day and very much enjoys being spoiled but I'm totally stuck this year.

So far the only idea I've got is an afternoon tea on a steam train experience day, as she's absolutely obsessed with steam trains at the moment inexplicably. Is that lame? I don't know!

What would you be ecstatic to receive from your adult children?

OP posts:

Danikm151 · 21/02/2023 12:43

I think she’d love that. How about a small steam train ornament or key ring to mark the day?

Smoothlines · 21/02/2023 12:46

That sound nice. To be honest, though, I wouldn’t expect any presents as such at all on Mother’s Day. A bunch of flowers is normal, but no actual presents.

TheFairyCaravan · 21/02/2023 12:47

I think that’s a lovely present.

I don’t want or expect anything from my children. I’d, genuinely, be happy with a bunch of daffodils because times are hard so I’d rather they saved their money and bought something they needed.

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TheChosenTwo · 21/02/2023 12:50

My mum definitely expects a fanfare 😂
I usually go round and treat her to a takeaway and get her a voucher to get her hair and nails done and bring her some flowers. My brother and sister will also drop something round.
I’ve got 3dc, all I ever tell them to get me is a nice card, I don’t want them to feel pressure, a card is easy, can be homemade and just requires a bit of thought.

Eatentoomanyroses · 21/02/2023 12:51

My mum is also difficult. I’m hoping to take her out for nice lunch and I’ll probably get her a nice card and some flowers.

Brefugee · 21/02/2023 12:53

So far the only idea I've got is an afternoon tea on a steam train experience day, as she's absolutely obsessed with steam trains at the moment inexplicably. Is that lame? I don't know!

i am so hoping you're my daughter, that sounds brill. As a mother of busy adult children what i always appreciate is their time. A call, a card, a visit, just to take time out of their day to say "hi, mum, love ya". Anything else is also lovely, but they're busy folk.

BrokenWing · 21/02/2023 12:54

For my mum I generally I would bake a cake and go over for a cuppa, or go over in evening and have a chinese takeaway, or take her to the local garden centre and she would choose some spring bulbs/seeds/hanging baskets and/or have lunch.

So more focussed on time together rather than the gift.

ds is only 18 so I get card/box of chocs when he gets out of bed mid afternoon! Would love him to make me a cake!

DappledThings · 21/02/2023 12:55

I've never done presents for Mother's Day. It's a card and maybe a bunch of flowers. Is Mother's Day like birthdays now?

GettingStuffed · 21/02/2023 12:57

A card and a recognition that I'm here. 2 of my children have children of their own so they'll be with their families, one is too far to see and the other doesn't have Sunday transport

Codlingmoths · 21/02/2023 13:00

I don’t have adult children but once grown up if they live in the same town I expect to see them and a card. I’d be happy to host. If they have dc of their own then most years their own /wives Mother’s Day will be the priority, but like we do if we go away or anything we would message and arrange a separate lunch for Mother’s Day another day. Presents and flowers are nice but optional.

EmbracingTheEyeBags · 21/02/2023 13:01

Time.
My mom always says 'just spend time with me, let's do something just the 2 of us' so the fact you've got her afternoon tea sounds lovely and you've inspired me to do the same ☺️

Goatsanddogs · 21/02/2023 13:01

I would love to be taken for a drive somewhere in the countryside with a picnic prepared by the children.

I do drive but it would be so nice to be looked after if only for a couple of hours. No need for presents just their time.

charabang · 21/02/2023 13:02

I don't have any expectations from my adult children. One is a student, the other two are on very different salaries. Some effort to meet up is appreciated as we are all in different locations. This year I know we are having a pub lunch and I've asked for help in digging a small pond.

crosstalk · 21/02/2023 13:04

The steam train idea sounds perfect. I don't expect anything and am not particularly bothered by Mother's Day but I love garden plants, flowers, naice soaps or creams. A card or note would do just as well ... or a text.

PearsOfWisdom · 21/02/2023 13:05

I think your idea is excellent OP , I would love a day out with my children.

Iluvfriends · 21/02/2023 13:09

I'm happy with a card for any occassion.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 21/02/2023 13:13

Id expect a card or an unsolicited phone call... anything more is a bonus. They are good at keeping in touch anyway.

TeenDivided · 21/02/2023 13:14

A card and a phone call.

Smoothlines · 21/02/2023 13:20

Yes, a card, perhaps some flowers. But no present. I wouldn’t get a present for my mum, and nor would DH for his mum. Mother’s Day isn’t like a birthday or Christmas where a “present” can be normal.

Deadringer · 21/02/2023 13:21

That sounds fab op. My dc are mostly grown up but still live at home, they usually get me flowers and a cake. Last year they made me a lovely homemade afternoon tea, I really enjoyed that.

SpikeWithoutASoul · 21/02/2023 13:24

My daughter and I are taking my mum out for Sunday lunch. She just wants to spend some time with us. I’ll take her some flowers too as she absolutely loves to receive flowers. The afternoon tea is a lovely idea.

Whatthediddlyfeck · 21/02/2023 13:26

A bunch of flowers and to see them and I’m happy 😊

PolicyOfTruth · 21/02/2023 13:29

I get my mum flowers and a card. My own kids, I've honestly said "don't worry about it". I remember lots of times in the past where I've worried about what to get my mum for various reasons and I just don't want to put my kids through that.

They can do something nice for me when they've got the time and money and not when they feel obligated to. 🙂

FindingMyselfIn2023 · 21/02/2023 13:29

Your gift idea sounds lovely

My DM always says that there's nothing she wants or needs, but that she always enjoys spending time with us, so I also take her for afternoon tea for Mother's Day/birthdays so we get that quality time.

Bluevelvetsofa · 21/02/2023 13:32

A card is a nice acknowledgement of the day. I don’t expect to see them because they have their own families, but just a card let’s me know they’ve thought about it.

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