Mother’s Day can be a tricky one for separated or divorced dads, especially if your parenting time falls on the weekend. But it’s also a golden opportunity to show your children what maturity, kindness, and respect look like — even in the face of past relationship challenges.
You may not be in a relationship with your child’s mother anymore, but she’ll always be their mum. Helping your kids prepare for Mother’s Day when they’re with you doesn’t just make them feel good — it teaches them empathy, appreciation, and emotional intelligence. It’s one of those quiet dad moments that makes a lasting impact.
Why it matters
- Kids shouldn’t feel caught in the middle: When parents show respect for each other, kids feel more secure and less conflicted.
- It models positive behaviour: You’re showing your children how to honour relationships, even when they change.
- It builds emotional resilience: Helping your kids express love and gratitude is a big part of their emotional growth.
Simple ways to help your kids celebrate Mum
You don’t have to go over the top or spend big to make Mother’s Day meaningful. Here are a few thoughtful (and budget-friendly) ideas you can help your kids with:
1. Handmade Cards
Sit down with them and help create a card. Provide the paper, pens, stickers, maybe even some glitter if you’re brave! Encourage them to write a heartfelt message — what they love about Mum, a favourite memory, or something special she does for them.
2. DIY Gift or Craft
- A hand-painted mug or pot plant
- A framed drawing or photo
- A “10 things I love about Mum” list written out creatively
It’s the thought and effort that counts, not the cost.
3. Breakfast or Baked Treats (To-Go)
Help your kids make something simple like muffins, cookies, or a jar of homemade granola that they can give to Mum on Sunday morning.
4. Flowers from the Garden
If you’ve got a garden or can go on a nature walk, picking a small bunch of wildflowers is a sweet, personal gesture.
5. Memory Box
Use a shoebox and help your child fill it with small items that remind them of Mum — photos, notes, artwork, even a funny little trinket.
6. A Video Message
If they can’t see her in person or want to do something extra, help them record a short video saying Happy Mother’s Day, sharing a memory or singing a song.
Even if it’s hard, do it anyway
If your co-parenting relationship is strained, or if things ended badly, you might feel conflicted. But this moment isn’t about your relationship with your ex — it’s about your kids’ relationship with their mum. Helping them celebrate her isn’t taking anything away from you — in fact, it shows real strength.
It’s a quiet win for fatherhood. One of those moments your kids will remember years from now, not for the card or the gift, but for how you showed them what love and respect really look like.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums — and kudos to the dads who help make it special.
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