Last Updated on March 20, 2018
One of the best Mother’s Days I ever had was spent at Chuck-E-Cheese. I know, I know … how in the world is that even possible? In all fairness, it was my idea. It actually turned out to be a brilliant idea if I do say so myself. No one would dare take Mom to that nightmare of a place on her day! So it was empty. We had the place to ourselves. My kids were happy … which made me happy. And we had all the basketball, skee ball, and air hockey a girl could want … and her kids too. It was a Mother’s Day to remember.
Mother’s Days are a bit more difficult now. Being a single mom definitely makes it different. There is a sadness to it … something missing. That person who kinda pulls it all together. You know, the guy that helps the kids pick out a sweet little gift, reminds them to make a card, and takes Momma out to lunch after church.
My ex-husband doesn’t do any of those things. Unfortunately, my kids feel that loss almost more than I do on those days. I can’t imagine how awkward it would be to remind them about Mother’s Day. So I haven’t.
Thankfully my kids are pretty much on the ball and remember to wish me happy Mother’s Day. I know at times they feel like it isn’t enough … mostly because they’ve told me. It really is, though.
We usually go to church and then I get to choose our lunch spot. My kids don’t mind my picking because I always pick burgers and fries … yum! I am definitely looking forward to that!
I’ve been thinking about it though. How do we do this single parent holiday thing well?
I gotta be honest. I’m definitely gritting my teeth when I’m buying presents and cards for my ex-husband … I simply do it to bless my children. I want them to honor and respect their father even if I don’t particularly feel like he deserves it.
I want to give my children the freedom to follow God’s command to honor their father not just on a special day, but every day. So how do I facilitate that for me … I mean how do I help my children honor me without seeming completely crazy? I’ll be honest. I don’t. Seriously. I think this is an opportunity to bless my children by being content with an imperfect Mother’s Day and maybe even being willing to celebrate a little differently.
I’ve decided that I can make it about all of us … after all I wouldn’t be a mother without them right?
We could have a day of fun … I very rarely get to be fun mommy anymore! I’ll be fun mommy again! Woohoo! We will eat yummy food, do something great, and enjoy the day. We will celebrate being a family.
Although if it’s all the same to everyone, I’d prefer to avoid Chuck-E-Cheese. Once was fun, but not again.
Sue Birdseye is an author and communicator who shares the adventures she has on her unexpected journey of single parenting. She went from the typical “picket fence” kind of life to being a single mom to five beautiful children. She has learned what it means to be totally dependent upon the Lord and how beautiful that dependence is. Her change of life circumstances has led to a passionate desire to encourage and bless other moms no matter their life circumstances. She has been active in her community as a foster/adoptive mom and public school teacher. She has also been part of her church’s worship, discipleship, women’s, and children’s ministries. She is an avid book reader, a game night hoster, and an early morning writer. Her book “When Happily Ever After Shatters” is the story of how God stepped into her life and the lives of her children just when everything seemed to be falling apart. She hopes that her writing will encourage, bless, and maybe even make someone smile.