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.
The boys are coming over. What results is a football frenzy that may, or may not involve drinking, eating and possibly a little bit of raucous behaviour. When your team loses it could spoil the day but if you follow these tips, regardless of the results, you’ll always be a winner.
It’s no good having the barbeque outside and the television inside. How will you catch all the action if there’s a wall between you and the game? Hearing your mates screaming in excitement is no match for actually seeing what’s going on, so either move the TV to a spot that’s visible from the barbeque or move the barbeque to a spot where you can see the TV – even if it means bringing the barbeque inside the house. That’s a joke. Don’t do it.
Let’s be real; maintenance is such an ugly word. Whether it be the lawnmower, gutters, chainsaw or pool, each weekend is consumed by something that needs to be maintained. While there are no shortcuts if you want things to be in perfect working order, there are simpler ways of making sure you don’t spend your leisurely weekend couped up in the shed. One apparatus you can apply these tips to is your trusty bicycle. Contrary to popular belief, you’re bike doesn’t demand hours of tinkering nor an expensive trip to the specialist every other week. By giving your two-wheeler a measly ten minutes of TLC every week, you’ll be saving yourself from trying to find a few hours (let’s face it: half a day) every couple of months. Assuming you are a regular rider, this simple DIY guide will encourage a long-lasting bicycle without extended downtime at the shop.
When it’s time to redecorate a kid’s room the most important thing to keep in mind is their tastes. Let your kids lead too demonstrate that their ideas have value, make the experience more fun, teach decorating skills and increase their appreciation of the final product. That doesn’t mean you can’t guide them, don’t over rule every decision they make.
Anyone with young children will know that whilst holidays are a fantastic opportunity to ‘get away from it all’ and spend quality time together. Sometimes the stress of the journey to get there can make you question whether it’s worth all the effort!
Once you have decided on that once in a lifetime road trip across the country, there is little you can do other than dream about your perfect getaway. But before you get lost in the clouds, come back down to earth and plan your trip properly before you go. This is ensure fewer obstacles and more time spent enjoying your adventure. Follow this simple guide and make sure you don’t forget anything important when planning your next road trip.
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous words, “Life is a journey, not a destination,” still inspire today. The journey is the destination, or rather, it’s not the destination but the journey that matters most… For road trippers, the journey is just as remarkable as the destination, especially if you and your family are embarking on a summertime road trip in Australia.
The best activities to do in the Australian summer
Go for a swim.
If you’d like to kill two birds with one stone (that is, get fit and cool down), going for a swim in your local pool, lake or beach is an excellent way to spend a hot summer’s day. Of course, make sure you only swim in safe areas – preferably watched over by a lifeguard or two. If you don’t yet know how to swim, learning how to during the sultry Australian summer is an ideal time to learn.
Have a BBQ
There’s probably nothing more quintessentially Australian than having a BBQ on a warm summer’s day. The sun, a snag and a beverage in hand seem to go so well together that for many Aussies, having a BBQ is the “go to” activity during summer. Don’t forget: BBQs are more fun the more people are involved, so invite your friends, family and neighbours over for the afternoon and make the most of your summer’s day. Head on over to Barbeques Galore for their huge range.
Go for a picnic.
Whether with that special someone, or the entire family, finding a little area of shade under a tree to have a picnic is a fine way to spend some time during the sometimes unrelenting Australian summer. Australia is bestowed with tons of great public parks, and making full use of them will give you the fresh air and relaxation you need amidst the burning sun above. Don’t forget to bring along a footy or soccer ball for a little bit of stimulation between quiet naps under the shady trees.
Go to the beach.
For many around the world, Australian summers are associated with our beautiful stretches of sandy beach, and the swimming and surfing our wonderful coastline provides. The next time the thermometer soars above 30 degrees, get some friends together and head on down to the beach for a day of sun, water and sand.Of course, make sure you apply plenty of sunscreen before you head out. And also make sure you only swim in designated swimming spots (and even then, only between the flags).
Watch a movie outdoors.
Imagine this: a blanket underneath, a special someone close by, and a massive movie screen in front – all set out in a lush botanical garden. Seeing a movie in many of the outdoor cinemas that spring up over the Australian summer can be a fun way to spend those hot and humid nights. There’s something about watching movies in the great outdoors, under the stars, and if you haven’t yet experienced what it’s like, you’re truly missing out. Sure you could watch a movie indoors, but that’s just boring now isn’t it!
Although you may not feel like doing anything when the mercury climbs into the high 30s, put on some shorts, grab a hat, and head outside. There are lots of activities out there just waiting for you – such as those suggested above – and all are almost guaranteed to give you a good time.