Mother’s Day Wishes Without the Tacky Hallmark Vibes

Mother’s Day hits different when you’re a single mum.

It’s not always breakfast in bed and carefully wrapped presents. Sometimes it’s just another Sunday where you’re still doing the washing, kids Sunday sports or getting everything ready to go for the week.

And Maybe the only gift you get is the $10 trinket from the school stall that you paid for yourself (for the record, that’s the only Mother’s Day gift I’ve ever received). And while those little gifts are sweet and meaningful, they can also feel like a reminder that no one else is going out of their way to make you feel special.

And that stings a bit, doesn’t it?

Especially when you scroll through social media and start seeing the curated photos of the luxury spa days, the handmade breakfast trays in bed, the fancy lunches, the expensive gifts, and the big family gatherings. It can make you feel like you’re missing out. But don’t let that trick you into thinking your Mother’s Day is any less important, or that your role isn’t just as powerful. You’re doing the job of two. That’s not nothing.

If you're tired of Mother’s Day not looking how you wish it would, maybe it's time to stop waiting and start planning to make it exactly how you want it to be.

Ask yourself:

✨ What does my ideal Mother’s Day look like?

✨ What would actually make me feel happy and appreciated on Mother's Day?

✨ How can I make that happen, even if I have to be the one to do it?

Write it down. And plan it, make it happen for next year. Book the massage. Reserve the nice breakfast spot. Organise a day trip with the kids. Book a weekend away. Plan a staycation with a nice hotel buffet breakfast or arrange a peaceful solo day of pampering if that’s your thing.

Don’t wait around for someone else to decide how you should spend your Mother's Day, This is your chance to create it exactly how you want it to be.

And If you’re spending Mother’s Day solo with the kids, make it a day you actually enjoy, not just something for them. Go out for brunch at a café you love (bonus if it has a kids’ corner or an outdoor play area so you can sip your coffee in peace). Pick somewhere scenic and go for a slow, easy walk, not a rushed "hurry back home to get the washing off the line" one, but one where you can breathe, chat, and maybe even treat yourself to an ice cream along the way.

You could also choose a movie you love, paint your nails together, do facemasks, or teach them your favourite board game from when you were a kid. Have a photo day and print off fun photos together and make a family album of you and the kids. The point is to connect, relax, and create moments that fill your cup too, not just tick a box because it’s Mother’s Day. It’s your day, claim it.

And if this year you don’t have the kids? Please, don’t sit in silence and sadness. Use that space to do what lights you up. Sleep in. Take yourself out for brunch. Read a book in peace. Book the pedicure. Go get pampered, guilt-free. You deserve to be celebrated even, especially, when no one else is doing it for you.

And let’s stop with the pity posts that say, “you’re not alone” like it’s some kind of charity. This isn’t about being pitied, this is about being acknowledged. All you single mums are out here doing the hard yards: the emotional labour, the financial juggling, the late nights and early mornings, all while holding everything together.

So this Mother’s Day, whether you’re spending it with your kids or not, whether it looks how you hoped or feels a little rough, make space to celebrate you. Loudly, quietly, boldly, or with snacks and a Netflix binge in bed.

You’re not just a Mum.

You’re the rock.

The magic.

The one who makes it all happen.

And that deserves more than just one day of recognition, but for now, start with this one.

From one Single Mum to another, here's to a fabulous Mother's Day. Because it's not just another Sunday, it's your day, it's Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Leanne xx

Your Single Parents Guide To Prioritizing Self Care

Buy Now