Mother’s Day in Quarantine

Moms! Happy Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day in Quarantine! A once in a life time greeting for mothers around the world!

I know you’re thinking that Mother’s Day can’t possibly be a good one this year since we are still stuck in this quarantine! But I have a new way of thinking to share with you! This is your chance to have a great Mother’s Day!

Here’s the thing: your family doesn’t know what you want, what you wish for and what you expect UNLESS you tell them! (This does not just apply to Mother’s Day in quarantine. It applies to all Mother’s Days, birthdays, Christmas and well, every day!)

Please consider this… If you expect much, most likely you’re a giver, yourself. You probably go above and beyond for your friends in time of need or you’re always there for your family when they need you most. You probably exceed the expectations for your kids’ birthday celebrations! Am I right?

So, think about how you want to spend this Mother’s Day in quarantine! Do you long for a pedicure? (I do!) Do you deserve a spa day?! (Absolutely!) If you’re an empty nester, would you like your kids to visit (Of course you would!) If you have kids at home, would you like a day by yourself? (YES! I don’t even need a whole day! I’ll even take an hour alone!)

Friends, if you desire these things, let your family know about it! But how can you get a pedicure when the salons are all closed? You won’t even be gifted a spa certificate in times like this! How can you get a moment alone? How can you be pampered when you’re house is in chaos from school books and papers strewn everywhere? (Yes, I’m describing my own house. Please tell me I’m not alone!)

Here’s the thing… I put so much time into making celebrations elaborate and grand for everyone else, for the ones I love most, WHY wouldn’t I put a little effort into making a grand celebration for myself!? I like me! I’m my own friend! I’d do it for a friend!!! Why not do it for me!?

We’re supposed to sit back and let our kids and husbands plan something picture perfect when they don’t even know what our extravagant ideas and wishes are! Que the disappointment! You know the phrase about it’s only done right if you do it yourself? Well? Hop to! Start planning your own Mother’s Day in quarantine!

Here are a few ways you can plan your own Mother’s Day in quarantine, but still feel totally loved and pampered by your family! This is the one day they HAVE to respect your wish and you don’t have to feel guilty for taking time for yourself!

Let them know you don’t want to cook! (It’s your day off!)

No long wait lines at the restaurant (because they’re not open for dine in anyway!). Provide them with the take out order number for the restaurant of your choice to enjoy on Mother’s Day! Don’t forget to include your menu order!

You need a pedicure!

Please. I’m sure you have a collection of nail polish in your bathroom and you have plenty of colors to choose from. Or you probably have your favorite go-to color you default to. Put it to good use! I know it’s not the same as having a cozy massage chair and calming music to listen to, but there are ways to do this at home too. Put some of your own music on, fill a big bowl with warm water and soak your feet. TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS! This is your day to do this. No excuses, no guilt! Take the time for YOU! Depending on the trust you have in your kids and if you actually want your toes to look nice, you could have them paint your nails. I have a 12 year old who can do a pretty good job, so I’ll probably let her do it. If you have little ones, wouldn’t it be a good laugh to let your toddler try her hand at painting your tiny little nails? (It washes!!) None-the-less, even if you can’t paint your nails the way the salon ladies do it, soak your feet! Give ’em a little scrub. It’ll feel good and you’ll feel relaxed!

Spa Day!

That’s right! Spa day! We don’t ever take time for ourselves right? So today is the day you need to invest some time into yourself! I just did a little hair treatment, myself, and thought it felt almost as nice as going to the spa! So, here you go! Warm up some Coconut Oil (Olive Oil or Vitamin E works too) and (this gets messy so do it in your bathroom) carefully pour it over your hair. Rub it into your scalp. Pull it up in a loose bun or ponytail and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. In the shower, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and rinse with one cup Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 cups water. (I had to shampoo again and rinse again, so reserve half of the vinegar mixture for the second rinse.) Then rinse your hair with cool water. The vinegar mixture acts as a conditioner and feels amazing when you brush your hair!

Feeling alone on Mother’s Day

You might be alone, an empty nester or quarantined to stay safe if your immune system is compromised. Consider asking your family to set up a zoom meeting with you or learn how to use a video chat app that you already have on your phone or computer! If that isn’t an option, consider contacting a loved one on the phone. Talking and hearing a voice is much better than any form of text! We need to hear voice inflection! We need to hear someone’s excitement to hear from us! We need that self assurance that others are happy to be in our presence, even if that is only over the phone for now. Talk to someone! (This social isolation is hard on us!)

In conclusion

Overall, my friends, here’s my point: Mother’s Day in quarantine CAN still be special. It doesn’t have to just be another day. It also doesn’t have to be some grandiose extravaganza! But if you want it to be anything close to what YOU want, you have to ask for it and maybe even plan part of it! If you do have to plan for it, please know that YOU’RE WORTH IT! You’d do it for a friend, right?! So, do it for you! Make plans! Ask for what you want! Tell your family your expectations! (Contrary to popular belief, your family still can’t read your mind!)

And above all, Happy Mother’s Day, moms! You do so much! Please know that you’re loved and your work does not go unnoticed! You may think it does, but most likely the ones who you think are not noticing, just don’t know how to voice their thanks to you!

Take time to look around you, count your blessings and be thankful!

Happy Mother’s Day in Quarantine!

God Bless your weekend.

Please consider reading Proverbs 31:10-31, portion of scripture that gives guidance to being a wife of noble character.