Motherhood can take many forms in today’s world — whether you’re a single, foster, adoptive or biological parent. The common goal for all parents? Raising happy children! It can get taxing dealing with the “terrific twos”, the “threenager”, or the “fournado” stages , but one thing’s for sure — you’ll get through them all, momma!
Experiencing motherhood is a beautiful feeling, one that is incomparable to material wealth or other forms of luxuries in the world. But how can mothers truly embrace motherhood in a healthy manner? And how can mothers better enjoy the parenting journey? Research has shown that happier parents engage in more positive parental behaviours and influence their child’s positivity, like their motivation, achievement, and relationships with peers.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s important to celebrate the milestones and achievements that come with being a mother. Give yourself that deserved me-time — but you could celebrate it with your little kiddos, of course, if you’d like to!
Here are some seven ways you (or your spouse) can recharge this Mother’s Day for an odd-some time!
1. Rest and recharge doing things you love
Plan a free-and-easy day out doing things you enjoy (no stress, no rules and no one wrapping their hands around your legs to the loo). It could be a day in the spa, facial treatment or massage. But if retail therapy is a de-stressing activity for you, you do you, mommas!
Destressing can always be a wallet-friendly activity. Remember the crocheting hobby you had to abandon since your little ones arrived? Or the jewellery-making interest that you had a while back? This could be your time to pick them up again.
Consistent crochet therapy also helps improve mental health as the repetitive yet calming pastime helps to release serotonin, a natural antidepressant. Photo from Ksenia Chernaya .
If you get tempted to shop for toys, remember the number of times you stepped on your daughter’s slime collection or your son’s Minecraft Lego blocks. But if you’d like to get your little kiddos some cuddly replacements in your absence, check out the Oddbods Plush Toys Collection.
Cuddle to the warm embrace of Newt, Fuse, Jeff and Slick with this plush toy. It’s made from a super soft, plush, squishable and huggable velboa fabric that is highly durable. See more options at the Oddbods Official Amazon Store.
2. Flower therapy: Book flower arrangement classes or a horticultural therapy
If you love flowers, this would be a go-to activity! Book a therapeutic flower arranging session and reward yourself with your own fruit of labour — a pretty bouquet for Mother’s Day. These flowers don’t have to be ephemeral — keep these beauties in a vase, and you can have beautiful flowers bringing a fresh burst of energy into your living space.
Besides being a therapeutic activity, adorning your home with the bouquets you have arranged can also help to brighten up your space. Photo from Anna Shvets
3. Meet up with your old pals for some high adrenaline activities
It’s your day today, mommas! Go out, have fun and meet up with your old pals! If they have been that support system in your parenting journey that makes you feel accepted and embraces your imperfections, they deserve your time. Whether it’s a day at a theme park, cycling around the city skyline or bungee jumping — have a helluva time getting the adrenaline rush running!
4. Treasure your memories in a memory box
Besides helping you and your little ones recount beautiful memories from the past, it is also a good bonding activity. Photo from cottonbro .
What could be a better way to recount the beautiful memories created with your tiny humans than to create a memory box with your kiddos! Print photos of your kiddos when they were younger and then make them into an album. Perhaps you can have a little mini-game or a quiz to ask them how old they were in the photos and if they remember their emotions back then.
Correct answers get a long cuddly hug and a kiss from momma!
5. Watch a stand-up comedy show with your family
Laughter is truly the medicine to life’s biggest problems. While it can’t cure ailments, it can lighten your mental load. It can make you a more easygoing parent too! Check out the event calendar in your city for stand-up comedy shows to destress, with or without your family. It doesn’t cost a bomb either!
Or if you’re a homebody, you could always watch The Daily Show with Trevor Noah all day and still have a whale of a time at home — with plenty of guffawing!
6. Spruce up your bedroom with a mini makeover!
Mothers always care for their children above their own needs. This Mother’s Day, indulge in a mini room makeover by decorating your room to make it pretty! You can do a mini thematic revamp if you’d like or even a DIY project using your kiddos’ past crafts from their time in school.
Whether you’re into the Victorian, Scandinavian or Boho style, this Mother’s Day could be the time to rediscover which one’s your favourite. Check out some inspirations from Pinterest before you embark on your little project.
7. Hop on the craze of plant parenting!
If you’re keen to jump onto the pandemic plant parent craze, this Mother’s Day could be the right time to start! Depending on the level of light in your room, choose hardy plants that have a longer life span that not only beautifies the space but double up as air purifiers. Air purifying plants such as the Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) or the English Ivy make a great start. The Ficus Elastica (rubber plant) is another beautiful and easy-to-maintain houseplant that doesn’t require much attention (or water or money).
But like the ancient adage, with great power comes great responsibility. It’s essential to know how to care for your plants if you want to become a plant parent! For example, some plants are toxic to cats and dogs, and some are very susceptible to root rots when overwatered, so always observe how your plants react to your watering patterns. Here are some tips from us at Oddbods!
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It’s okay to underwater but be careful of overwatering (because it’s often irreversible)
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Don’t forget your handy supply of neem oils or plant pesticides to keep plant pests at bay.
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If you’re a beginner, avoid buying the more “sensitive” and temperamental plants like Alocasia species as they are very prone to spider mites and generally need a lot of care.
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Use plastic plant pots instead of ceramic ones to minimise accidental breakage. Plus, with kiddos running around in your room, having to clear shards of glasses can be dangerous.
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Place your plants at a safe height away from your little one’s reach. You could install DIY plant shelves in your bedroom that could instantly brighten up the whole room or set up a plant nook!
Indoor plants add another dimension to your room, breathing life and adding colour to the space. Photo from Huy Phan.
It’s all about you
This Mother’s Day, it’s all about you, momma. It’s a day to celebrate and honour the supreme sacrifices made by mothers like you around the world to bring children into the world. A day of love, happiness and thankfulness. For mothers, it is a day of self-appreciation, self-love and self-reflection. And for those that experience mom guilt for giving their kiddo another chocolate bar or reprimanding them at the grocer’s for throwing a tantrum — it’s okay. You are enough, and you are loved. And you will forever be your little kiddo’s hero.
We hope that the Mother’s Day ideas can help you reinvigorate your thirst for life as you raise your little champ!
