Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Mother’s Day as a single parent

49 replies

AmyJahabee · 09/03/2024 19:38

My kids are under 10 and I can feel they really want to do something for me but no other adult around to help them plan. They have done the usual card and stuff from school. I want to make it exciting and celebrate yearly for us. What do you do as a single parent? Go out for meal? Activity? Please share. I want them to be involved in some way, they have some money save and wouldn’t mind spending on mummy and I would return without them knowing. Thanks

OP posts:
mcmen05 · 09/03/2024 19:41

Not single but we are going out for breakfast

You could go a walk on beach or nature.
Bake a cake or pizza together get little face masks

MonkeyPuddle · 09/03/2024 19:46

When I was little and my mum was still single we used to have tea and she’d put my juice in a wine glass at dinner time, we’d be fancy ladies and say cheers. Silly and simple, I look back and feel that lovely closeness.

Dancingontheedge · 09/03/2024 20:14

Do something together to let them know how much you like being their mother. What? It depends on what you all enjoy.
i like the idea of it being an annual celebration.

Sirzy · 09/03/2024 20:16

When my son was younger his Nan used to take him to buy something.

you could just all go out somewhere nice together, or take them shopping to buy something nice for you all to enjoy.

they will have probably made cards at school .

BoohooWoohoo · 09/03/2024 20:17

I used to take them to Card Factory and give the oldest one some money while I waited outside and they chose a card each. When we got home they’d write the cards and present it on MD.

By age 10 they knew how to make a hot drink so made me some coffee in the morning. They’d check what time I wanted to be worked up too.

Shardonneigghhh · 09/03/2024 20:26

When mine were little we would make a cake together and they would decorate it for me.

Conkersinautumn · 09/03/2024 20:28

Mine when age 10 and 8 made me a lime cheesecake (something we had made together a few times) cups of tea, toast from younger. Maybe watch a favourite movie or cartoon from your childhood (I love that my kids know and love stuff like trapdoor and duckula, the dark crystal and neverending story) ?

Conkersinautumn · 09/03/2024 20:29

Oh and nails, we used to do our nails together when they were quite small.

ComeAlongPeggy · 09/03/2024 20:29

I love a home made card and a little bunch of flowers that they get to give to me at church. Actually pretty much the same as my own childhood gifts for my own mum!

Purpledragonz · 09/03/2024 20:32

Maybe book yourselves into one of those ceramic/pottery painting workshops where kids can pick a mug/structure and paint it. They could make you a homemade gift this way.

If none around you, maybe buy some white mugs or air drying clay and do it at home.

I'd also go out for a lovely brunch

Purpledragonz · 09/03/2024 20:33

Shardonneigghhh · 09/03/2024 20:26

When mine were little we would make a cake together and they would decorate it for me.

That sounds so lovely!!

Pineapplewaves · 09/03/2024 20:40

Purpledragonz · 09/03/2024 20:32

Maybe book yourselves into one of those ceramic/pottery painting workshops where kids can pick a mug/structure and paint it. They could make you a homemade gift this way.

If none around you, maybe buy some white mugs or air drying clay and do it at home.

I'd also go out for a lovely brunch

Edited

I think the Ceramic Cafe is a great idea, mine does a tile for £5.00 where you can get your child to put their handprint, and they write their name and age on it. I'm very sentimental and love this stuff!

Otherwise I'd go for a nice breakfast or late lunch out (I think most places will be fully booked for actual lunch although my DC would choose McDonalds if the choice was theirs!).

GauntJudy · 09/03/2024 20:43

I do a special breakfast with tablecloth and candle, we have waffles and various toppings. I bring out a box of chocs or biscuits later in the day. Plus I buy myself flowers.

Dc makes a card at school and I always love it.

I make a fuss on my birthday too, put balloons and banners up. I think it's good to show kids that it's nice to celebrate yourself and that you can be kind to yourself.

But in terms of them treating you, you could ask them to choose which flowers to buy, or you could write your waffle toppings and get them to assemble it, mine is quite a good sandwich maker.

Its lovely that they want to spoil you, youre obviously doing a great job, happy mothers day xx

ineedtogoshoppingnow · 09/03/2024 20:44

Shardonneigghhh · 09/03/2024 20:26

When mine were little we would make a cake together and they would decorate it for me.

This is a really lovely idea.

InTheUpsideDownToday · 09/03/2024 20:54

GauntJudy · 09/03/2024 20:43

I do a special breakfast with tablecloth and candle, we have waffles and various toppings. I bring out a box of chocs or biscuits later in the day. Plus I buy myself flowers.

Dc makes a card at school and I always love it.

I make a fuss on my birthday too, put balloons and banners up. I think it's good to show kids that it's nice to celebrate yourself and that you can be kind to yourself.

But in terms of them treating you, you could ask them to choose which flowers to buy, or you could write your waffle toppings and get them to assemble it, mine is quite a good sandwich maker.

Its lovely that they want to spoil you, youre obviously doing a great job, happy mothers day xx

This is lovely ☺️
I'll be alone tomorrow as kids at uni but one has sent me a card to open.
I'm going to buy myself some lovely flowers tomorrow.

Original poster
AmyJahabee · 09/03/2024 21:13

Thank you all so much,really lovely ideas @Purpledragonz will try the ceramic painting and possibly go for brunch. I would make an effort from now on. Always felt sad being single in days like this but even with a partner I could end up doing all the planning as from experience with ex. Thank you all 💕. Have a lovely Mother’s Day tomorrow

OP posts:
ClawdeenWolf · 09/03/2024 21:23

We went out for breakfast today as a treat. Tomorrow I've bought pastries so that she can plate them up easily (she's 6) & we're going to have breakfast in bed. I've bought face wipes so that later on she can play with makeup, I'll make a Sunday roast and we'll probably go for a walk

Her Dad is useless, but his DM took DD out yesterday after school to help her choose me a card & a gift.

SashTea · 09/03/2024 21:32

Lovely ideas!

Mine make me a simple breakfast in bed and usually do some sort of performance 😆the other year they made up a little song, last year it was a basic power point and this year I don't know but they had a secret meeting and I had to find their sunglasses for them as part of a rehearsal?!

We're going to a small theme park tomorrow as we got given some cheap tickets and are going with my single mum friend and her child. But before we've just had a nice walk and gone for cake or similar. We're also going to have a Chinese tomorrow night as a treat for all, but especially me so I don't have to cook! If time we'll watch a film that I'll get to choose for once (probably still Disney ish of course...)

Have a lovely mother's Day op, it's very nice they want to do something special and you'll enjoy it all the more without any tension or annoyance from your ex being part of it - in my experience anyway!

Businessflake · 09/03/2024 21:35

I make a fuss on my birthday too, put balloons and banners up. I think it's good to show kids that it's nice to celebrate yourself and that you can be kind to yourself

I love this. So many tales on here of women being disappointed with their birthday or Mother’s Day because their OH has made zero effort. It’s ok to lead the celebrations yourself!

Plus kids just love a little celebration. I’m not a single parent, but the most enjoyable part for me is seeing how happy that stuff makes the kids, whether it’s a birthday or Mother’s Day. So whilst they’re still little OP I would encourage you to arrange things that help them feel like they are celebrating you and making you feel special, even if you’ve had to organise it all!

Dostadning · 09/03/2024 21:36

Aw the paint-a-pot is lovely idea. I take mine bowling or swimming under the guise it's for me but it's for them really. Both are ND so swimming is always a good one. Bowling can lead to arguments. I plaster on a smile and fake it til I make it. I'll come back with a Maccy D brekkie for us all in the morning then find some trash telly we'll all watch.
I gave them £2 each so they could pick a card. My son gave me mine two weeks ago as he couldn't wait Grin

ColourByNumbers88 · 09/03/2024 21:37

We go out for lunch or early dinner. I put the money in her bank account so she can pay! Have a lovely day x

Temporaryname158 · 09/03/2024 21:48

Ex used to help the kids and buy something until he got a new partner and now he doesn’t want to /can’t possibly do that!

my kids have taken over the mantle aged 8and 6. I linger just inside, near the door of card factory having given them my bank card and wait whilst they choose stuff. There is always a kind staff member who clocks what’s happening and calls out “is £9.50 ok?” And lets the kids tap the card.

unlike their father they take pride in choosing things they think I’ll like, thoughtful cards and stop arguing for once to unite forces and take on the task of wrapping it up.

they know I think this is so kind and wonderful and makes me proud of the little people they are. The fact they want to please me and show their love is so nice and makes my day more than any more expensive/posher gift the ex might have bought as I know he never asked the kids what they wanted to get and it was always just what was easy for him.

now I know, whatever they are, the gifts are chosen with love

tomorrow we will go out on our bikes and then have hot chocolate with far more marshmallows than normally allowed when we get home, and watch a film together. All things we value together. I hope you have a wonderful day too

NotStylishOrBeautiful · 09/03/2024 21:59

There’s been a lot of whispering today so I think mine are bringing me breakfast in bed, then we’re meeting friends for lunch.

Last year we made afternoon tea together and ate it in the garden.

StarDolphins · 09/03/2024 22:00

Single with DD 7. My DD (very thoughtfully as I’ve been eying it up for AGES!) told her Dad she(he, as he’s paying!) wanted to buy me a Lulu Guiness beach bag (£12), took him in Waitrose to get it and he said no, it’s not worth the price so decided he would spend twice that on flowers for me for her to give me😳

So, I bought the bag for her to give me, I left wrapping paper & the bag in her bedroom & she’s wrapped it ready & is super pleased.

Could you ask them what they would like to get you, you buy it & they give it you? (Which is giving them the decision) Then have a really nice day doing something all together, they make you pizza/eat cake etc?

jellyfishbubbles · 09/03/2024 22:01

Don't make it about the money. Make it a thing they can do. Could they make you breakfast?