You can force participation, but fun is up to them.

I have always advocated – especially if you carry the large chunk of the emotional load in your family – controlling your own Mother’s Day experience. I put everyone else’s needs first the majority of the 363 other days in a year but on Mother’s Day and my Birthday I insist my needs get met. I don’t *hope* they get me something good or plan something fun, I dictate everything and in exchange…they try to have fun.

Yesterday was perfection.

We started with brunch at my favorite place in town. It’s pricey but they have several delicious vegetarian options and it feels very fancy. Over brunch I asked the kids a bunch of questions I’d never asked them before, like about their earliest memories. It was really fun and lovely and delicious. I highly recommend asking your kids about their earliest memories, it’s hilarious what they remember.

Then I wanted to go to the Botanical Gardens which we’ve not been to as a whole unit in probably…10-13 years? If ever, honestly? I’m not sure the 5 of us have ever gone as a group!

The weather was perfect and I insisted on 4,000 photos. Nikki also went through my old HSVBG album in Google Photos and picked out a few for us to recreate which was hilariously fun.

The kids even took some of their own photos and insisted on some of their own staging which meant when the trip was over we had almost 500 photos between all 5 phones. It was basically the best thing I mother could ask for.

At least a mother who loves photos as much as I do.

We laughed a lot…like a whole lot. And most importantly, five very busy people spent the day together. As the kids get older it’s harder and harder to do that, you better believe I’m going to force it on them every Mother’s Day that I can.