Moms: Stress Less This Mother's Day

SAN DIEGO, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Expecting a Mother's Day complete with breakfast in bed and angelic children? It may be wise to think again! With Mother's Day around the corner, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists encourages moms to set realistic expectations so they can stress less this Mother's Day.

While most people think of Mother's Day as a simple, easy celebration, the reality is that sometimes Mother's Day can be stressful and even disappointing for moms, who envision a flawless day honoring motherhood. Unfortunately, the reality can be complete with cranky children, imperfect meals and undesirable gifts.

How can moms avoid the Mother's Day letdown…or meltdown? Moms can prepare with these helpful tips from TherapistFinder.com:

1. Plan ahead. Identify your expectations and hopes for the day. Are you hoping for a big celebration? A particular gift? Think about what will make the day special for you.
2. Manage expectations. While the idea of a perfect Mother's Day is nice, expecting everything to go as planned is a recipe for disaster. Knowing that your child's behavior will likely be the same as any other day and being ready for snags in your plan will allow you to relax and enjoy the day for what it is.
3. Communicate. Talk directly with your partner about your ideal Mother's Day by using gentle phrases like "I am hopeful that…" or "It would mean a lot if…" You want to be careful that you don't take away their opportunity to surprise you, but being clear about what you would like will help your partner plan your special day.
4. Set limits. Be careful not to overextend yourself. A simple Mother's Day brunch can quickly become a full day of Mother's Day activities and running around town. Remember, this is a day for you, so don't over-commit.
5. Gift yourself. Why let your Mother's Day happiness rest in someone else's hands? Celebrate you by getting a gift for yourself that will remind you that being a mom is a big deal – and hard work!

While Mother's Day is meant to celebrate the joys of motherhood, it also has the potential to stir up a number of difficult emotions. A Marriage and Family Therapist can provide tools to help parents cope with the many challenges of raising children, including helping new parents as they adjust to having their first child. They can also help parents to reconnect with each other. Find a California therapist to talk to using the free service www.TherapistFinder.com.

About CAMFT

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is a professional organization representing the state's leading licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides TherapistFinder.com as a resource for individuals looking for marriage and family therapists located in California. Marriage and Family Therapists treat a comprehensive range of issues including depression, anxiety, phobias/fears, elder and child issues, relationship issues, post-traumatic stress and severe mental illness. For more information, visit www.camft.org or www.TherapistFinder.com.

SOURCE California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists; TherapistFinder.com