Mother’s Day can be a lovely moment to pause and feel appreciated. But if you’re a single parent, it can sometimes arrive with mixed feelings too.

If there isn’t a partner in the house organising the traditional breakfast-in-bed situation (or gently reminding the kids to write a card), the day can pass by a little more quietly than you’d hoped.

That doesn’t mean it has to be disappointing though. Many single parents end up creating their own Mother’s Day traditions, often ones that feel more meaningful, relaxed and genuinely enjoyable than the slightly forced version we’re sometimes sold.

Here are a few alternative ways to celebrate.

Let older kids take the lead

If your children are older, it’s absolutely okay to talk about Mother’s Day and what it means to you. They may not automatically realise that it matters to you unless you say something.

That doesn’t mean demanding a full brunch menu and a spa voucher – but a little encouragement can go a long way.

Sometimes the best approach is simply giving them ideas.

You might say something like: ‘I’d love it if we could do something small together on Mother’s Day – even just a walk or a cup of tea somewhere.’

Many older children are actually very happy to step up once they know it matters.

Claire, mum to two teenagers, says she now leaves the planning to them.

“For years I’d pretend Mother’s Day didn’t bother me, but secretly I felt a bit sad when nothing happened. Now my two teenagers organise something between them. Last year they cooked brunch and we watched a film together. It was simple but it meant a lot.”

Even small gestures can feel special when they come from your children themselves.

Create a “mum’s choice” day

If organising surprises feels stressful for everyone, another option is to simply make Mother’s Day a ‘mum chooses the plan’ day.

That might mean picking the film, choosing the takeaway, deciding the family walk route or booking a table somewhere you’ve been wanting to try.

It takes the pressure off children to come up with elaborate ideas while still marking the day in a way that centres you.

Nadine explains:

“My daughter is 11 and gets anxious about doing the ‘right’ thing. So now we do Mum’s Choice Day instead. This year I’m choosing pancakes and a trip to the garden centre. It sounds simple but she loves that it feels like a little adventure.”

Swap small gifts with friends

Another lovely idea is creating a Mother’s Day swap with other single parent friends.

You could exchange small thoughtful gifts, write each other cards, or even drop something through a friend’s letterbox so they wake up to a surprise.

Some single parents have even turned this into a tradition.

“There are four of us in a local WhatsApp group and we do a Mother’s Day gift circle,” says Jo, mum of one. “Nothing expensive – usually something like flowers, chocolate or a nice candle. It’s just really lovely knowing someone is thinking of you.”

It’s a simple reminder that appreciation doesn’t only have to come from romantic partners.

Plan something with other single parents

Mother’s Day can also be a great excuse to organise something social.

A park walk, coffee meet-up or relaxed lunch with other single parents can turn the day into something uplifting rather than something to get through.

Being around people who understand your parenting life can make a big difference.

Hannah says:

“Last year a few of us from Frolo met at a café with the kids. There were six mums and about nine children running around. It was chaotic but really fun. It felt like we were celebrating each other.”

Celebrate yourself

It’s also completely valid to celebrate yourself.

You might buy yourself flowers, book a treatment, take time for a long walk, or simply carve out a bit of quiet time.

As single parents we often spend most of our time thinking about everyone else. Taking a moment to acknowledge everything you do every day is more than deserved.

Claire puts it perfectly:

“I used to wait for someone else to make Mother’s Day special, but now I treat it as a reminder to do something nice for myself. Last year I bought myself a really nice bunch of tulips and took a long bath while my son gamed upstairs. Honestly, it was perfect.”

However you celebrate, it counts

There isn’t one “right” way to do Mother’s Day.

For some families it will be cards and pancakes. For others it might be a walk with the dog, a takeaway, or simply a quiet moment to recognise everything you do as a parent.

Whatever it looks like in your household, the important thing is remembering that your role matters every single day of the year – not just one Sunday in March.

And if you’d like to spend the day surrounded by people who understand single parent life, you can always find support, friendships and local meetups inside the Frolo community.

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