Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 08:41     Subject: Re:reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

The best Mother's Day/Life gifts from my kids is that they both are healthy, happy, well educated, successful, good humans, have wonderful SOs, and we are a close knit family.

My kids make me proud and I don't have to worry about anything.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 08:33     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Anonymous wrote:I have a good relationship with my kids so I don't expect a buyback on Mothers Day



Buyback?

I think you are not teaching your kids to treat moms with respect.

All humans deserve appreciation for their heartfelt efforts.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 22:36     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

18yo (away at college) called. High school teen cooked dinner for the family, and did dishes afterward! I'm happy.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 21:46     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

I have a good relationship with my kids so I don't expect a buyback on Mothers Day
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 21:46     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Anonymous wrote:Np, and I don't at all care about Mother's Day. Send me a text message wishing me well is about the extent of me caring.


+1
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 21:44     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

My kid called and sent a homemade electronic card.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 21:44     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

I never understand why the husband gives the wife a present (she is not his mother).

But I do think part of his job is to teach the kids to express appreciation for their mom on that day.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 18:38     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Dd made me breakfast and both dcs got a card, flowers and a special (not expensive) gift. I am sure dd did most of the picking bc he just is not as into all this. He’s working today at summer job. No other plans just dinner at home but it’s been nice.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 18:31     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

What normally happens? I call my mother for mother's day and that's it, but we never really celebrated it as a family growing up. It would have been weird for my mom to start expecting flowers or brunch when I was 20.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 18:24     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

My kids are 18 and 20. 20 year old is still at college in the middle of finals, but I got a text at 10am. 18 year old and DH got Vietnamese food for our dinner. I posted in another thread our tradition of having one saved card from each kid that they sign and leave a short message every year. It was my idea and I love it.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 18:23     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Kid in armed forces texted me very early this morning.
19 and 20 yo took me out for lunch, got he flowers, and helped me with house project. Watching a movie tonight together.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 17:45     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Anonymous wrote:Honestly worrying about how my kid honors mother's day is just another thing to worry about and I'm over it. I have no energy for it.


That's a good approach in life.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 17:38     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

Young adults during their 20's are pretty surly about these made-up Hallmark holidays. Like a pp said, give it time.

Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 17:35     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

A late 20's daughter and 30 year old son now reliably each send flowers and each call. Ten years earlier, no. Some of those earlier years, one or the other might remember unassisted by DH. But likely he helped them out, in remembering. And the kids often covered for each other, signing the other's name to a flower deliver.

Point is Op, give it time.
Anonymous
Post 05/10/2026 17:23     Subject: reasonable expectations for mothers day for 18 yo daughter 20 yo son?

My teen did nothing, but he came to brunch, smiled in a photo and didn't complain despite something going on this AM (didn't eat). So I call that a win