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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Mother's Day do's and don'ts

123 replies

CarrieMumsnet · 04/02/2008 18:12

In case you hadn't noticed Mother's Day comes early this year (March 2nd to be precise) and we thought we'd compile (with your help) a list of do's and don'ts which you can then print out and leave lying around in strategic places so partners/ children/ anyone who owes you a gift, can see what you want (what you really really want) and just as importantly what you don't want.

So if you're prepared to risk receiving (yet another) Ann Summers thong then don't bother joining in. But if you'd like to be in with a chance of getting something you actually want, then please share your Mother's Day dreams (and nightmares) here.

(and to anyone joining us from Pedants' corner please feel free to share your views on the old Mothers' vs Mother's Day debate)

Thanks

MNHQ

OP posts:
Dropdeadfred · 12/02/2008 12:56

Thanks Bozza...I definitely do not do that on my bday though!

bozza · 12/02/2008 13:01

Just to clarify, I do not normally do that on my birthday, but did on the year it fell on Mother's Day.

Tigerschick · 12/02/2008 13:03

Dropdeadfred - we're getting round that this year by the fact that my mum is staying with us and MIL lives 30 mins away. So DH is taking DD to see MIL in the morning while mum and I have a relaxing couple of hours then we're going to the local pub for lunch.

Don't buy a lovely card and present which you stash away and then forget all about and sit there wondering why everyone is looking at you a bit oddly at 10.30 when you still haven't said or done anything remotely related to 'the day'.

Dropdeadfred · 12/02/2008 13:04

oh i understand now...

why do I feel like a cow wanting it to be and the family ...not dp's mums' day...

oh i am a cow

mooooooooooooooo

hunkermunker · 12/02/2008 13:06

Get someone else to take the children out to choose you something.

You'll get a comedy Homer Simpson pizza slice (my Christmas present from DS1 ), but it'll be what they want to give you.

It's not about your DH choosing you something tasteful. That's Valentine's Day/Christmas/your birthday (or not, as the case may be...!).

Dropdeadfred · 12/02/2008 13:06

tigerschick...I'dlove to do that but i stll think dp would be disappointed in me..and she is a widow....ho hum

moooo moooo mooooo

EffiePerine · 12/02/2008 13:06

Oneyear it was Motehr's Day, my borthday AND the day the clocks went back

so I got a 23 hr birthday when I had to buy cards for other people. I sulked. A lot.

lalaa · 12/02/2008 13:08

Breakfast in bed
Family time together
Sunday roast cooked by dh (and cleared up afterwards).
I love the idea of a £1 bunch of daffs. Fab.

bozza · 12/02/2008 13:16

That was it effie. Birthday 26 March?

EffiePerine · 12/02/2008 13:17

Yup. Bad year. Better this year I think...

Wotznotreallyhere · 12/02/2008 13:18

Help the children to do something for you and then ask them to finish it off and keep it hidden till MothersDay.

Don't expect others to help your dcs make things, if you don't think they will have the time or effort. It's the children that will be disappointed on the day, so help them.

Rosa · 12/02/2008 13:21

Just remembering would be nice .

My 1st one after dd born was forgotten despite all. he rushed out and bought a box of chocs with nuts ...that I hate !!!

AdamAnt · 12/02/2008 13:22

Effie - LOL (Hope you make up for it this year )

FrannyandZooey · 12/02/2008 13:24

Do NOT pay any attention when your wife says "oh don't worry, just get the children to make me something."

Get the children to make her something, and THEN, get your credit card out and get yourself down to

Pollyanna · 12/02/2008 13:25

I would like a homemade card made on proper card, in advance (ie not a piece of scrappy paper cobbled together over breakfast). The most important thing is a sign that dh has taken time out with the children to plan something.

I'm not too fussed about presents - but a lovely bunch of flowers and lunch out would be nice.

I'd also like my mother to remember that mothers day is not just her day, but mine too.

UnquietDad · 12/02/2008 13:35

We're going to friends' place for Sunday lunch, so luckily my failure to book anywhere is not a problem this time!

Thanks for moonpig link, lulumama - looks great. I'll definitely use that.

deegward · 12/02/2008 13:36

Have to say, my card and my mum's have to say Mothering Sunday on it, not Mothers Day -hate that!

LIke anything the children have made/chosen, didn' like dh when he gave me Anabel Karmel's book for my first Mothering Sunday, almost brained him with it, Ds1 was only weeks old, and I didn't want to think about weaning, as it meant I would be back at work. Did use it alot tho later. That was8 years ago now and he learned.

Wotznotreallyhere · 12/02/2008 13:40

For any dads reading this.....
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post
see FrannyandZooey post

UnquietDad · 12/02/2008 13:43

As long as we get same treatment on Father's Day...

To be honest, there is very little I want on Father's Day apart from an exceptionally long lie-in and a big breakfast cooked for me, either at home or in establishment of family's choosing. It's usually the week after my birthday, so presents always seem a little superfluous.

Raggydoll · 12/02/2008 13:44

If he could some how conjure up peace and tranquility for a day, with no shouting or aruing that would be quite nice. Plus a bunch of daffs and perhaps a trip to feed the ducks (without me).

I wouldn't actually mind cooking but NO clearing up.

schneebly · 12/02/2008 13:54

my, well-meaning but teribbly silly younger brother once got my mum a frying pan for mothers day. In her words she "felt like hitting him with the bloody thing"

Tortington · 12/02/2008 14:04

this happened to my cousin who is a mumsnetter

DONT

forg mothers day - whip round to the shop - find out they have no mothers day cards an buy a THANK YOU CARD

then try to cover up your fuckwittedness by writing " thank you for being such a good mum"

PMSL

bratnav · 12/02/2008 14:11

Don't send your exW (and mother of your children) a sarcastic anniversary card...

Last year the divorce had just come through, he handed me the envelope as he collected the DCs, I cried and raged til they came home

Psychomum5 · 12/02/2008 14:21

DO NOT assume that your wife will want to do any kind of cooking on mothers day.

DH has done this to me.......

the day or so before mothers day 2yrs ago, he informed me that MIL, FIL, all of BILS family and also his grandmother were coming round and we (ie ME) were cooking them all a big roast dinner (meant me making food for 16 people).

He also told me this just after visiting my own mother (which is a HUGE chore as it is a job I hate!), making the whole weekend sooooooooooo much fun.

I do however think the oven found a superb way of exacting revenge, as he tried the same last year, and the day before mothers day, the oven blew up......

(and altho normally I would obviously be annoyed my this, I ws soooooooo thrilled I bounced for a week...oh, and also got a fabulous shiny new CLEAN oven to make up for the 'trauma').

he hasn't meantioned anything so far this year, and I will start dropping hints about how mothers day will not be spent this year very very soon

Bluestocking · 12/02/2008 14:29

Schneebly, pace your mother, I'd be thrilled to receive one of these!
I would like a proper lie-in - that means DP needs to remove DS from the bedroom and keep him out, not allow him to leap all over me, ignore my cries for help and coo sentimentally "look how much he loves his mum".