Yesterday was Mrs Lighty’s first Mother’s Day, hurrah! But on this first Mothering Sunday, I decided that there are two types of families out there: those that go all out, celebrate in style, and are generally excellent at marking all occasions. The others? Well, they’re like the Lighty Family: just a little bit crap!
By crap I mean that we don’t really ‘do’ occasions. Mrs Lighty always tries to buy a little something for the Mums and my Nan, but we never really do anything to celebrate and even with the gift buying, half the time I don’t know what to get. We’re the same with birthdays, and even Christmas to a certain extent. I remember thinking when I lived at home that the Hatchys seem to be the only family not to send Christmas cards to each other. But when you live under one roof, why bother? Furthermore, a friend was shocked a few years ago when she asked me what I’d asked people for as birthday gifts. A bemused Mrs Lighty replied, “I haven’t!”.
I’m an adult, I earn my own money, and I don’t expect gifts. So quite why I expected my first Mother’s Day to be different, I don’t know.
My Mother’s Day wishlist was quite simple. All I wanted was 1) breakfast in peace and 2) a hot bath. Notice I said breakfast in “peace” rather than breakfast in “bed”; as most of my breakfasts nowadays consist of not being able to eat more than two spoonfuls before having to go and retrieve a little someone intent on rolling to his escape (he still hasn’t mastered crawling!), and couple this with the fact that Mrs Lighty isn’t exactly what you’d call a morning person, I would’ve settled for breakfast in peace. And the latter request made the list after having our boiler fixed the day before Mother’s Day – oh how I was looking forward to a long, hot soak in the bath, rather than a short, lukewarm one!
So when, on Mother’s Day morning, I was greeted with the following scene in my bathroom, I should’ve known better:
Yes, that is Mrs Lighty’s bathroom floor ripped to shreds in Mr Lighty’s attempt to find a leak. Between this and the fact that Mr Lighty had to work on the morning of Mother’s Day, my simple wishlist was never going to happen!
However, having spoken to quite a few of my friends, it seems like many of us didn’t get the Mother’s Day we’d hoped for. But why do we feel so disappointed on this day? For me, I know that it was partly because it was my first Mother’s Day, something which I’d waited a very long time for, but aside from that, a big part of me thinks it’s because this mothering malarky is bloody hard work. It’s bloody lovely work at the same time – don’t get me wrong – but it is oh so hard, too. I take my hat off to stay at home mums as this is hard, and I take my hat off to working mums, as I feel that I’m about to find out that that is hard, too. So unless you’re part of one of the aforementioned fantastic-at-celebrating familes, then us mothers are likely to be left feeling like this day is like any other day of the year and, well, just a bit crap.
But having said that, I can’t complain about a hardworking husband who was forced to spend the day trying to make our home better, particularly when he came home with a card and flowers. Nor can I complain about a day spent with my gorgeous boy, especially when my maternity leave days are numbered.
Flowers and a first Mother’s Day card from Mr and Baby Lighty.
Oh and Mum, I’m sorry that we’ve been just a little bit crap for all of these years. I understand now. Perhaps next year we can actually celebrate properly, and be, well, a bit less crap?!
A Mother’s Day photo with my gorgeous boy. Who needs a special day to celebrate?!
Proud to be linking up with:
I have to say I am one of those people who celebrate EVERYTHING!! I don’t necessarily want/expect lavish gifts or loads of money spent on me, just a little something to mark the occassion. But equally I know many people who really aren’t that bothered (my husband being one haha) That photo of you and Baby Lighty is bloomimg adorable! He’s such a cutie xx
Thank you!! I think for the Lightys it’s not so much that we don’t celebrate so much as we don’t celebrate well?! I guess a lot of it for us comes down to time and money. Also I think once our babies are older, we’ll have more reason to go all out and celebrate properly!! Xxx
I had an epiphany moment whilst running on Saturday – that I have never really made a huge fuss of my Mum on Mothers day…so we last minute invited her and my step dad along to our Mothers Day Roast dinner out. It was so lovely – I’m really pleased I didn’t put it off for another year (again) because who knows what the next year might bring. xxx
I know, I’ve said to my mum that we ought to do something properly next year, but she said she likes it the way things are! To be fair, we do have a laugh over our family dinners!! Thanks for taking the time to read my post
Pleasure lovely – just been prepping your Meet the members post for next Friday
Ooh excited!! Thanks so much for having me on the series, #coolmumclub is my favourite linky
Thanks Nicola! It’s mine too of course
Me again! Popping back from our fave #coolmumclub x
My first Mothers Day was when she was about 2 weeks old so I think baby brain extended to us all. I couldn’t leave the house for long periods to celebrate with either of our mums and all I got was a card. A lovely card but I was so deflated as I expected a little more. I think my expectations were high because his family are the type that love a celebration and he’s normally really thoughtful…I can confirm I got a super awesome bread making course voucher this year as I’d been saying I miss having time to bake bread. So maybe it’s all about the 2nd Mothers Day…
Ah maybe you have cracked it!! Will start hinting now for next year!
Thanks for reading my post xxx
I think there are waaaay to many expectations on the day! Kids just don’t do what you want any day so why Mother’s Day? It’s a lovely family occasion but a card and maybe a little pressie is enough for me, Extra sleep, some time and some good food is a bonus! Hope you still had fun with the prosecco!! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Yep totally agree. The extra sleep would’ve been appreciated though!! Oh and yes, the Prosecco went down a treat! Thanks for having me on #bestandworst
Ah mother’s day does tend to be a mixed bag all right! Bad timing with the tearing up the floor though – lol husbands for ya! I’m glad you enjoyed your day in the end. Thanks so much for linking up with #bloggerclubuk x
Thank you for having me on #bloggerclubuk!
Well I guess I can’t blame him for the floor – it’s better than the kitchen ceiling falling in because of the leak, ha!! Maybe next year will be better?!!
Mother’s Day is a tough one isn’t it, I always build myself up thinking that I’m going to have a lay in and spend the day curled up like a cat…..in my dreams! I’m thankful for a warm cup of tea and half a biscuit to myself:) the little darlings!!:))) loved ur post:)
Visiting from #BloggersClubUK
Mainy
Ah thank you! Yes perhaps our expectations are too high?! Next year I’ll lower them to that cuppa and half a biscuit and may be pleasantly surprised!! Thanks for taking the time to read my post
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