A Man's Perspective on Mother's Day

Yep, we have another guest blogger for you. We thought we would spice up our blog with a little testerone, so my husband Jeremy is blogging about a man's perspective on Mother's Day.

Good morning ladies, or should I say “Mothers”? I have been asked to share some thoughts and ideas from a man’s perspective about Mother’s Day. So let me start off by saying this: I believe that mothers play a very important and integral role in the development of our homes, our children, and our families. I mean it - and no, the Graceful Girlfriends didn’t put me up to this. This is why I try to make Mother's Day an event centered around her.

Over the last few years, I think I have gotten our Mother's Day plans down to a science and the key is sharing the load. Our kids have reached the age where I can help them get a 'breakfast-in-bed' pulled together for mom that morning. It is a good idea to have breakfast planned out a day or two before that morning and we usually keep it simple - toast, fresh fruit, and for my wife, a soy chai latte. In the past, we have celebrated the day with our extended families. So the 'guys' pull together a nice meal for the girls (all of our wives and mom) where they are served instead of the usual serving they end up doing for us at other holiday get-togethers throughout the year. Again, it’s good to pool family resources and share the load – brother-in-laws, father-in-laws, and kids can all help with the meal. I really think everyone participating in the preparation of the meal adds to the “event” feel of the day. When planning your meal, remember to keep it simple. Over the last few years, we have determined that going out to eat with the entire family is not for us - it costs a lot of money for our very large group and tends to be too time-consuming. We usually have a cook-out and each man contributes a side dish or dessert for the meal. We have also packed a picnic lunch and taken the ladies somewhere special for the day. Delicious, fun, and budget friendly! Of course gifts, cards, and flowers always a nice added touch to the day and again, kids can get in on this one by making cards for Mom.

Mother's Day is celebrated one day of each year. I guess the important thing that I am trying to do for my wife in regards to Mother’s Day, is to try and be as thoughtful the other 364 days out of the year. That, I am finding, makes Mother’s Day just another day in paradise.

Your girlfriend's husband,
Jeremy