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# Tips for mommy on her very special day
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/tips-for-mommy-on-her-very-special-day/
- Published: 2007-05-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:43:10.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Dear Readers, Mother’s day is just around the corner and every year I receive dozens of comments and/or letters regarding this holiday from Moms with young children. Many of you acknowledge good intentions but disappointing events — the beautiful hotel brunch interrupted by a toddler temper tantrum that was so loud you ended up sitting in the ladies lounge for 45 minutes, or the family camping trip planned for you, your spouse, your older children… and the infant that fed every two hours in the tent. Some of you admit that you really just wanted some time off and you ended up cleaning the kitchen war zone after the breakfast in bed, and finally, most of you ended up feeling a little sad or angry that you didn’t even get to take a nap.

After ten years in early childhood development, I gently encourage you to ask yourself a few questions before repeating this Sunday’s train wreck. 1) When you need to re-charge your emotional batteries, do you need to be alone or with people? 2) How much control do you need over this day (aka do you really want to be surprised or do you want to plan it yourself)? 3) What triggers should your partner do anything and everything to avoid?

So, if you answer these questions honestly and, most importantly, communicate the answers to your partner, you’re on your way to a wonderful celebration of the most important role in your life. Have a happy Mother’s Day!

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 8, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050807.pdf?ref=smdp.com)