I’ve renamed Mother’s Day, “Mother’s Day Off.” I like to spend the day relieved of my motherly duties, which means no working, no cooking, no cleaning… for the whole day… and not just breakfast time (after all it is Mother’s DAY, not Mother’s MORNING).

I use the entire Mother’s Day weekend.  On Saturday, we get together for a family and friends cookout.  We make the guys grilling heroes by letting them believe cooking burgers, brats and hot dogs is really creating a stress-free atmosphere for us and the planning, shopping and preparing of side dishes pale in comparison to the meat main attractions.  Then, on Sunday, the moms go shopping in Galena, Illinois, a town with a historic main street full of unique shops.  We browse a lot, buy a little and have lunch.  We leave early and get back too late to worry about laundry, dishes or dust.  The situation is win-win for everyone.

I encourage you to try something similar this Mother’s Day weekend.  Let your kids and husband “lavish” you on Saturday and make Sunday YOUR day (or vice-versa). If you don’t enjoy shopping or there aren’t any malls or quaint shopping areas in your area, plan to do something else you enjoy.   The key is to get away and remove yourself from anything which might tempt you from your Mother’s Day Off.