36: Post-Mother's Day Reflections & Advocating for Yourself as a Modern Mom Craving Space, Ease, and Sanity
The Real Mother’s Day Gift Guide: What Moms Actually Want (And Need)
Mother’s Day recently passed in the U.S. and Canada, and for many, it left behind a swirl of mixed emotions. Between the sweet cards and handpicked flowers were deeper, more complex conversations about maternal burnout, invisible labor, and what genuine support looks like in this season of life.
Being a mother of two young children and an advocate for intentional living, Monica has observed an increasing disconnect between the commercialized portrayal of “celebrating mom” and what women are truly seeking as they navigate the crossroads of motherhood, identity, and the pressures of modern life. In a recent episode of her podcast, she explored these themes, sparking thoughtful discussion that now continues in this written reflection.
Rethinking Celebration
A question that continues to surface in conversations around modern motherhood is this: Can one designated day of celebration truly offset the ongoing mental load that most mothers carry?
This year, Mother’s Day brought a mix of emotions—joy, yes, but also a sense of frustration. Across social media, in private conversations, and in messages from podcast listeners, the sentiment was echoed again and again: “I don’t need another scented candle or monogrammed mug. I need real support. I need rest. I need a break.”
Tuning in to this collective voice, Monica found herself reflecting deeply on what it really means to honor mothers—not just on one day, but throughout the year. What do women in this chapter of life truly need? What if gifts went beyond material items and instead centered around experiences, ease, and meaningful support?
What follows is her take: a practical and nurturing gift guide for mothers—designed not only for Mother’s Day, but for any season where deeper care is needed.
1. A Thoughtfully Planned Flower Planting Day
Instead of a pricey bouquet that wilts in a few days, imagine this: someone organizes a hands-on, grounding afternoon where you plant your favorite blooms with your kids or loved ones. The supplies are gathered. The weather cooperates. There's no scramble for gloves or digging through storage for that one missing trowel.
Monica shares, “Planting flowers was a tradition in my family growing up, and now I’ve started doing it with my own kids. It’s not just nostalgic—it’s a chance to root into the present moment, to teach care and stewardship, and to witness beauty that unfolds over time. A planted flower is a long-lasting gift you nurture together.”
2. A Home Organizer for a Week
Clutter is not just visual—it’s energetic. When drawers are stuffed, toys spill over baskets, and closets are exploding with randomness, it affects your mood. One of my biggest fantasies? Having someone come in for a week, with fresh eyes and practical magic, and gently help me create a space that breathes.
You don’t need to throw everything out or color-coding cereal boxes, but having a helpful person who understands the chaos of parenthood and offers calm, supportive organization. Closets. Toys. Kitchen drawers. Yes, please.
This gift isn’t glamorous—but it is transformational. And it benefits everyone in the house.
3. A Massage or Solo Self-Care Appointment
Sometimes, the most radical thing a mom can receive is… solitude. Not forever. Just long enough to fully exhale.
An uninterrupted massage. A quiet cup of tea. An acupuncture or reiki session. Even a walk in nature alone. These are moments where we reconnect to ourselves outside the roles we carry.
Massage isn’t indulgent—it’s medicine. It helps moms come back into the body, clear energy, and return to the family more centered. We’d argue every mom needs this kind of reset quarterly, if not monthly.
4. Spring Cleaning Help (AKA Support That Lightens the Load)
Let’s normalize gifting functional, unsexy support that actually makes a difference. A cleaning team for the day. A deep clean to shake off winter and welcome spring. Someone to help with window washing, baseboards, behind-the-toilet kind of cleaning. The stuff we put off for months—or years.
Monica recently treated herself to a professional spring clean, and the lightness she felt afterward wasn’t just from the sparkling windows. It was the psychic space that cleared up when the home felt brighter, more cared for, less chaotic. It was a true gift.
5. A Solo Shopping Trip (for Clothes That Don’t Have Holes in Them)
If your wardrobe still consists of maternity leggings, stained nursing tops, and clothes from that postpartum blur—you’re not alone!
What if the gift was an hour or two of child-free clothing shopping? Maybe even a styling session with a friend or boutique consultant? The goal isn’t consumerism—it’s reclamation. Getting dressed should feel like an act of self-expression, not self-abandonment.
Let’s wear clothes that make us feel alive, not just "functional."
6. Experiences Over Things
Beyond any one “item” on this list is the deeper truth: most moms don’t want more stuff. They want meaningful experiences, ease in their daily lives, and support that recognizes how much they hold.
They want to feel seen, celebrated, and resourced—not once a year, but consistently.
And that means the gifts we give ourselves—and each other—need to be about more than checking a box or posting a photo. They need to be about listening.
Advocating for What You Need
One of the key takeaways: if you want to receive differently, you have to communicate differently.
People aren’t mind readers. If you don’t want a heart-shaped necklace or a new kitchen gadget, say so. If what you truly need is a break, a helper, or a chance to connect with your creativity, speak it aloud.
Advocating for your needs is an act of love—not just for yourself, but for your family. It models healthy boundaries and encourages others to think more deeply about how they support and appreciate you.
Building New Traditions
This year, Monica’s family celebrated in a simple, meaningful way: “We picked out flowers, got our hands in the dirt, and planted new life together.” she says. No unnecessary plastic, no rushed brunch. Just a moment of presence and planting something that will continue to grow with us.
We’re allowed to rewrite the traditions that don’t fit anymore. Whether that means ditching Mother’s Day entirely or making it into a weekend of retreat and renewal, you get to choose what feels right for you.
And if you’re reading this and still navigating complicated feelings about how you were celebrated (or not celebrated), it’s okay to hold gratitude and grief in the same hand.
A Realistic Gift Guide (Recap)
Here’s the short version, for easy forwarding to partners, friends, or even yourself:
A flower planting day—supplies included
A week of home organizing (professional or friend)
A solo massage, Reiki, or wellness session
Deep spring cleaning support
A guilt-free solo shopping trip
Experiences over stuff (think: retreats, workshops, sound baths, or time in nature)
Final Thoughts: From Celebration to Sustained Support
Mothers don’t need one day of appreciation. We need systems of support. We need community. We need each other.
Celebrating motherhood means honoring its full spectrum—its exhaustion and its beauty, its grief and its joy, its messiness and its magic. It’s okay to ask for more. It’s okay to redefine what feels good.
And it’s more than okay to believe you deserve gifts that reflect who you are becoming, not just what you’re doing.
Here’s to more grounded, honest, soul-aligned celebrations ahead.
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Want more real-talk episodes like this? Listen to The Wand(HER)wild Podcast and connect with our community over on Instagram @wandherwild or through our digital events at wandherwild.com/community and retreats at wanderwildfamilyretreats.com.
