Thanks to Paula Miles for partnering with me on this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. 

Ok, so this infographic really got me thinking about mom’s really and truly want for Mother’s Day.

Escape and unwind with a pamper session at home by making use of your preferred body and foot care products.

I’m going to be truthful with you and tell you that with the exception of my very first Mother’s Day, when we spent the day together as a family doing things like having a picnic and taking walks, I have asked for the same thing every year: a day to myself.

I’ve wondered if it has been a counter-intuitive request: on the day to celebrate mom and how wonderful she is, all she asks for is to be left alone. I’ve even had a few people tell me that they think it is a selfish request. And on some level, I’d have to agree with them. It is completely self-serving to ask for a day to myself.

And yet, I think it is also a gift that helps me be a better mother on the day after Mother’s Day, and the day after that, etc. Moms are typically not so good at self care, and so we press on with our duties until we reach a breaking point. I’ve actually gotten fairly decent at seeing the warning signs for an impending breakdown, and Tim is very accommodating about helping me get whatever sort of “time out” I might need. Usually that looks like dinner in my room by myself so I can eat in peace and watch a television show online that I like, or take a bubble bath. During especially rough days, I’ve been known to do all 3 things at once! But an entire day to myself is still a very rare thing, and it is VERY rejuvenating. It truly feels like a gift because it goes a long way toward restoring my depleted resources.

Still, I found it interesting that according to the infographic above, only 1/3 of moms are interested in the gift I request. Perhaps other moms are even better than me at keeping their self-care in check. Or perhaps it is the case that as kids get older, the need for that type of break from them becomes less necessary? I’m not really sure, but I’d love to hear what you really want for Mother’s Day.