Mother’s Day is almost here, and I recently had a moment that stopped me in my (tired, mom-sized) tracks.
My husband asked what I wanted to do this year—and instead of immediately blurting out, “A spa day. Alone. Far away. With snacks I don’t have to share,” I said:
“Let’s have a family day at the beach.”
WHO EVEN AM I?
It hit me that for the first time in a long time, I wanted to be with my kids on Mother’s Day. Which is funny, because in years past? All I wanted was some space. Like, literal physical space. I didn’t want to be touched, poked, asked questions, or sat on. (If you know, you know.)
But now that my kids are 11, 7, and 5, I’m entering that middle ground of motherhood where I’m not drowning in diapers anymore, and my kids are actually… dare I say… fun to be around?
So, in the name of curiosity (and content), I ran a highly unscientific poll on social media. I asked moms at different stages of motherhood what they really want for Mother’s Day.
And the results were both hilarious and weirdly universal. Here’s what I found:
👶 The Newborn Mom
Wishlist:
- Sleep (literally any amount will do)
- One hot meal
- For no one to touch her boobs unless it’s medically necessary
Translation:
She doesn’t want a fancy brunch. She wants to sleep in a dark room where no one says “Mom” or asks her to wipe anything.
👧 The Toddler Mom
Wishlist:
- A solo Target run
- A coffee she can drink while it’s still warm
- No one touching her for 3–5 business days
Translation:
She loves her family deeply. But if you so much as hand her a macaroni necklace before she’s had her coffee, she might cry.
🧒 The Mom of Kids (5–10)
Wishlist:
- A nap
- Someone else folding the laundry
- Kids who stop saying “MOM” every 4 seconds
Translation:
She wants a break. And maybe a margarita. She’s in the “chauffeur/snack manager/homework enforcer” phase and just needs a pause.
👩🎓 The Mom of Teens
Wishlist:
- No eye rolls
- A hug (in public, if she dares to dream)
- Teenagers who do chores without needing a full TED Talk
Translation:
She knows they love her. She just wants them to show it with less grunting and more dishwashing.
👩🦳 The Mom of Adult Kids
Wishlist:
- A real phone call (not a text that says “Happy Mother’s Day!” with an emoji)
- Everyone under one roof, even briefly
- A grandkid snuggle, if applicable
Translation:
She doesn’t need fancy gifts. She just wants time—and to feel like she’s still your mom, even if you’re grown.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Motherhood changes, and so do our needs. But across the board, moms just want to feel seen, appreciated, and not in charge of the snacks—at least for one day.
Whatever stage of motherhood you’re in, I hope this Mother’s Day brings you a moment of peace, a few genuine laughs, and zero laundry responsibilities.
And if all else fails—lock the bathroom door and eat a chocolate bar alone. I won’t tell.
Want More Motherhood Topics:
🎙️ Listen to my latest episode of Burnt Pancakes: Momversations, where I talk more about the seasons of motherhood and how what we want (and need) shifts over time.
