First Mother’s Day as single parent

[Anonymous]

I went through a very unexpected divorce this year after finding out of my ex’s infidelity. This will be my first Mother’s Day as a single parent. My child is 5 so can’t exactly plan anything but I’d like to start a new tradition for the two of us.

If you have a tradition with your child as a single parent to mark the day what do you do?

[Anonymous]

My son and I used to go to a restaurant and movie for our Mother's Day. It was awesome. We did this at Reston, but Mosaic is really fun too for the kids.

[Anonymous]

I buy myself chocolates. Your 5yo will probably bring something home from school too so while they can’t plan something you’ll likely still get a card.

[Anonymous]

A movie and meal or special dessert sounds perfect!

[Anonymous]

I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

Narcissist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

Please tell us you’re joking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

So bizarre.

[Anonymous]

This is my first year, too, OP. Also after an unexpected divorce. My child is older, but I'm hoping just to spend some time with phones put away doing something fun together – play a board game, watching a movie, etc.

[Anonymous]

Op, I give you great credit for thinking about this in advance thoughtfully. I’m a single parent of an only child (now a college student) and the years I didn’t have family visiting, I would do something low key fun with him like others have suggested. One year we painted pottery, which was a cute activity.

I know people are mocking the pp who stated she taught her kids to celebrate her and I agree some of what she described was way too much for me, but I did think it was important to teach my son how to show care towards others on holidays like birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.

Some years I would have my babysitter take my son to a local gift store (i.e. a store where I knew they were inexpensive items) with $10 (probably now would need to be closer to $15 or $20) and have him buy me a gift. Sometimes if my parents were visiting my mom would do this with him. His dad, my ex-husband, rarely did this with him but ideally that’s how it would happen. I always helped my son get a gift and remember his father‘s birthday or Father’s Day, etc. I realize that is separate from what you’re going to do the day of Mother’s Day, but just some additional thoughts.
Sending compassionate thoughts your way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

I don’t think this is strange at all. When you’re a single mom, you either moan about not getting any gifts for Mother’s Day and Christmas and your birthday and Valentine’s Day, or you teach your kids that you’d like them to make or buy you a little something for all of those holidays, in the same way that you buy them (lots of) things. You plan it and make it happen. My daughter “takes me” somewhere special every year for Mother’s Day. She picks. I of course actually drive and pay because she’s 7. It’s usually the zoo or frying pan farm or similar, but she plans the whole thing. It’s lovely and sweet and a little bit funny every year. For Christmas I give her a $10 bill and turn her loose in Target. She picks out anything she wants to for me. Friends have offered to take her shopping but she really likes doing it herself. I follow at a distance to make sure she’s safe, but she picks something out herself, and she’s SUPER proud. She makes me a card or drawing for every holiday, without me asking (although I did ask when she was younger). I feel completely celebrated, and I also like that she understands that the holidays aren’t all about her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

As an SMC, me too! All wonderful 7 years of us.

[Anonymous]

We go on a “hike” on Roosevelt Island. Have since he was about 6. We have gone in rain, cold, drizzle, and sunshine. Afterwards we come home and have lunch and a treat of some kind, usually a smoothie. Sometimes we go out for ice cream.
My son is now 18 and this may be the last Mothers’ Day where he is actually home, since next year he’ll likely still be at college?
Anyway, we love our RI Mothers’ Day hikes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

Please tell us you’re joking.

Nope. Totally serious. To be clear, they are not doing ALL the things I listed above for Mother's Day, and then again for my birthday and again for Valetine's Day. But a couple/few of them? Absolutely. They need to be taught to celebrate the people in their lives. Just like they are taught to buy their friends birthday gifts and dress up for their parties. Same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught my kids to celebrate me. I took them to the store to buy me gifts, set them up at the dining table to make me cards, taught them to make me breakfast in bed, to bake, to choreograph a dance, etc. You have to teach them.

Please tell us you’re joking.

Nope. Totally serious. To be clear, they are not doing ALL the things I listed above for Mother's Day, and then again for my birthday and again for Valetine's Day. But a couple/few of them? Absolutely. They need to be taught to celebrate the people in their lives. Just like they are taught to buy their friends birthday gifts and dress up for their parties. Same thing.

Choreograph a dance. No.