Mothers Day 2026 Disappointment Thread

[Tinklapo]

Starting a thread for those of us who feel disappointed, unappreciated and let down this Mothers Day.

I’ll start. DH went away to stay with his mum this weekend (2 hours away, nice thought as she’s elderly and unsure how many more Mother’s Days there will be). He said he would be home at 12 so I (stupidly) assumed we would do something as a family but this morning he has told me that he won’t be home until this evening as he’s going to a football match local to his mums.

He’s left me no card, no gift and now I need to spend today doing what I do every day and look after the kids, do all the cooking etc. Feeling totally unappreciated.

We had a conversation last week about Mother’s Day and I said one thing I would love is some time to myself to recharge my batteries. I’ll be making sure I book myself for a long spa weekend next Mother’s Day!

My dh was a grumpy, moody idiot yesterday and ruined the weekend already. He was at work till lunch time yesterday and he is at work till lunch time today. I’m not looking forward to him coming back home tbh.
And no, he didn’t leave flowers or anything from the dc. He works too hard, innit.

My DH is the kindest bloke going. He always did cards and flowers with kids when they were small. I know he spoke to DS after last year's fiasco. I also know he reminded DS this year, before he went off on holiday. Which makes the lack of any effort on DSs part even worse.

I only knew because my kids knew from their friends or I would have missed it because it’s so early, it’s normally around my mums birthday at the end of the month. I’m never in a shop and only look at my phone calendar if it pings me for an appointment, it is quite possible someone would miss it with no malice intended.

I’m the only person up in my house. Thinking about getting dressed and heading to my mum’s. I know shopping was done, but DC 15 & 18 haven’t emerged and DH is sleeping I think.

Mothers day is in May where I live, so no disappointment (yet).

I am, however, so disappointed with my DH who has done zilch for his mother in the UK! I have reminded him 5 times. I draw the line at actually sorting something for my MIL, because even though she is lovely it is not a precedent I am willing to set.

It’s not too late to enjoy your day with the dc. Buy yourself something nice (using his money) or grab your favourite cake and don’t save him any.

I'm questioning how it got to this as well.
We have always marked the day. DH always did cards and flowers with the kids. We always had our mum's over, or all went out for a meal (both were left widowed when the DCs were very small).
I wonder whether the DCs saw it as a day for grannies rather than their own mum, but now in their 20s,they should've worked it out!!

My adult dd started an argument out of thin air this morning and stomped off with a sarcastic ‘happy mothers day’. She has ADHD and is very sensitive, I am always walking on eggshells with her but as I’m now peri I’m finding I have less patience and call her out more on her rudeness etc and she doesn’t like it. I’ll try not to let it ruin the day, she can’t ever apologise so i’ll just stay out of her way. Younger adult dd has left me presents as she’s at uni. Dh has taken the dog out and has gifts for me so I’m lucky overall. Just could have done without the argument 😞
happy Mother’s Day to you all xx

Sorry but how can you "miss"MD FFS ! Unless you are devoid of any sort of communication at all.All over the internet /TV/Radio .Shops of all sorts MD .So some nice Cheese / Bread/ vegetables /fruit /you name it! poor excuse there

Also on the disappointed train right now. Small DC, nearly 2&4. DH & I have been trying to work through marriage problems (caused by him if relevant), and I very clearly told him this was an opportunity to make me feel appreciated and chosen. He did not rise to the occasion.

Told me he didn't have budget, after spending his last bit of fun money on himself. Didn't dip in to our substantial savings for it either.

Got me a card with the word mam on it, which I have told him I hate. It's what he calls his mum, and gives me the ick to use the same.

Didn't get a lie in, he brought a coffee and pastry which I did appreciate at half 6. Then half assedly asked if I wanted to do something, which was left to me to plan and execute.

For a present, I got a tube of cream from the chemist wrapped in coloured printer paper.

I didn't want the world, just not to be told clearly I wasn't a financial priority and then have fuck all effort made.

I'm sorry for everyone that's had disappointing mornings.

i have had an equally rubbish one. I got out of hospital yesterday afternoon and this morning was up at 5 with the baby.

my husband opened his eyes said oh yeh it's Mother's Day and promptly rolled over and started snorting again.

he hasn't emerged yet but the kids are all up for the day and nothing. I know there is nothing coming as the eldest just came to me and told me she loved me and happy Mother's day and sorry she didn't have a card or anything.

we don't normally do a lot but home made cards and a relaxing morning would have meant the world right now.

I only know it from MN really to remind me to send something to my mum. I'm never in supermarkets (DH does all shopping), don't really notice other advertising and I'm not on much social media.

Slight Disappointment from me - dd is just turned 4 so obvs can’t be independent with it and fully appreciate Mother’s Day yet, luckily my mum is here and took her to the shop to get me a card and a present. I am very much the default parent and run the house, sort every aspect of dd’s life (personal cares, pick ups drop offs, childcare sorting etc….) and although my dp is not a bad dad, he just doesn’t bother with Mother’s Day, thinks it’s all a money making scam. On the one hand I wouldn’t mind, that’s just how he is - my bed to lye in, he’s just not the type) BUT he made a point of coming back from the shop (to get his post gym food) and told me how ridiculous it was all the people he saw wasting their money buying cards and flowers. Just felt a bit kick in the teeth! I’ll be calling in the shop later to see if there are any flowers reduced to get my own 🤣💪🏻

I don't make a fuss of my mother because we have a complex relationship. She wouldn't admit that on here though. You don't know what any of their relationships are like, the women who have commented with disappointment from their adult children.

I set myself up for disappointment on these types of occasions so I cannot really complain because it is my own doing. I have this unreasonable expectation that I can request a calm, quiet day. This is an impossible task for the people I live with!! I know this, and yet I still live in hope every year.

I did get a card and a small item I put the feelers out for (£5.99). OH has attempted to put together some gifts, but it's not his strength.

I don't value items, but I may in future put forward requests for lavish gifts to compensate for the lack of peace! 😅

I received a card from my 5 year old which was lovely but that is it. I don’t expect anything big but a small bunch of tulips and breakfast made for me would have been nice. Meanwhile all week I have been getting my son to make my mum something and draw a nice picture in her card, I’ve got my mother in law a card and present. So my husband has literally had nothing else to think about apart from me and clearly that was too much trouble for him.

Even my 5 year old called him out this morning when he announced concernly ‘why haven’t got any presents for mummy’s day mummy?

Ive just been to Tesco, bought myself some tulips and have just cooked a bacon sandwich for myself. I’m over it

Happy mother's day to you all , I know exactly how you feel , I feel hurt and let down , our children are very young still , the oldest only just turned 8 , so dh normally sorts mother's day buts it's always last minute and we never do anything just us it's always with the IL's his side. I said to my DH I'm visiting my terminally ill DM and my 102 yr old DG.
I came down at 6 am no card , nothing not even a little drawing from the children. I don't want much just some appreciation for what I do , father's day my DH is treated like a king. It's now almost 1pm in the afternoon he's at his mum's and I haven't even got so much as a messedge or video call from the children, he got his mum and step mum cards and gifts. I can't help but feel forgotten I shouldn't have to remind him, maybe when I get home there will be something or maybe it's because I'm not in he hasn't bothered I don't know and feel like

It's so hard isn't , just want to feel appreciated 😢 it's not much to ask , I got my mil some flowers and a card got his step mum a card , and got something for my gran and my own mum , but 0 for me not even a drawing from my DH from the kids , they are too young to sort anything
We got to love ourselves and do something nice for ourselves today ❤️

Why wait until next mothers day book yourself something sooner

It would be far more effective if you booked yourself a spa day on father's Day, surely ? 😂

I do agree re the spa on Father’s Day. Just let him know you are going to let him enjoy a day with the kids as he did for you on Mother’s Day.

I don’t get the people who spoil their dhs on Father’s Day to get nothing in return? Match their energy!!

I think it is a bit crass to lay down expectations. I always sent a card and phoned my mum at the very least. I supported them to celebrate father's day

I got a text, “Sorry I am too busy to see you , have a nice day.”

Next door neighbours totally fcked up our weekend by having friends over and being loud as fck so we had our TV blasting through party wall before heading out a lovely walk at a nearby National Trust place. Then relaxing in bed reading a chapter of my book before making tea later. It could have been better. Sorry to others who have also had their day ruined.

I have a 4 month old, a 4 year old and 6 year old.
woke up to feed the baby, and made myself a coffee at 7am, no card, no gift, not even a coffee in bed like I asked.
just a bog standard average day!
Not even a Happy Mothers Day from DH. Apparently I’m not his mum so don’t need a happy Mother’s Day.