Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Chanukah, Christmas. It seems like there is always an occasion for which gifts need to be purchased.
You can ask us, read gift guides or just take a shot in the dark, but there are a few things that all moms really want. Yes, that necklace or new pair of slippers are much appreciated, (and don’t think this is an excuse not to buy them for us). But what we really want is pretty simple.
Here is a list of what we all really want this year!
1. A trip to the bathroom, alone
This should not be too much to ask. Just a minute or two to take care of business on our own, without worrying about what a child may or not be getting into.
2. A full night of sleep (or an extra hour … we will take what we can get!)
We would like to remember what eight hours of sleep feels like. You can send the kids away or send me away if you need to. Just figure it out.
3. To drink a full cup of coffee while it is still hot (no reheating!!)
While ice coffee is great, being able to enjoy a full cup of hot coffee is something that seems to go out of the window once you have kids. We would like it back!
4. To take a shower, alone
So this one might take a little more on your part than the solo bathroom trip, but the some concept applies.
5. A day to be the one to ask, “What’s for dinner?”
You know how nice it is to come home and have dinner shopped for, prepared and ready to eat? We would like that experience, too!
6. To enjoy a single piece of chocolate without hearing, “I want some mommy”
Yes, we all want to teach our kids the importance of sharing. But when it comes to mom’s chocolate, there is no sharing involved.
7. To not have to wipe anything for a whole day
No spills, not the counter, no faces and no butts. No wiping!!
8. All questions to be directed to “Daddy” for one day!
Just for one day, let’s pretend that mom does not have the answer. For anything!
So there you have it. We are really not that difficult to shop for, and we are actually pretty cheap! And at the end of the day, if none of these things are actually possible (because let’s face it #momlife), simply letting a mother know that she is doing a great job and you could be lost without her will have to suffice.
Jmore parenting columnist Talya Knable is a psychotherapist who lives in Lutherville with her husband, Stephen, and their two children, Jack and Leigh. Her website is tkpsych.com/ She is also the assistant clinical director of Shalom Tikvah (shalomtikvah.org/), a local non-profit organization that supports Jewish families facing mental illness and other challenging life circumstances.
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