an honest mother’s day gift guide :: six gift ideas every mom will understand

As I was scrolling through Target’s website recently I came across a product with such unbelievable practicality and brutal honesty when it comes to momming I sat there and actually contemplated hitting the ‘Add To Cart’ button. The more I thought about it I decided that I probably (hopefully??) am not the only one who finds laughter in the brutal honesty that is motherhood sometimes. It’s those moments when life can not get anymore real and we’d just as soon be real about that realness!!

Don’t get me wrong…I’m just as much of an emotional and sentimental person as I am practical. But, while there are years where my vision of a lovely Mother’s Day includes hand-made cards from my kids and breakfast in bed, there have been just as many times over the years of motherhood that I yearned for useful, practical, and at times even hilarious gifts to bring levity and ease to my full time mom job.

If Mother’s Day gifts were brutally honest, I think they would look something like this…

1. Nostalgia Hotdog Toaster (Target.com)

For those days when 5pm rolls around and mom suddenly remembers that she is the main source of all physical nourishment for her tribe and “brinner” was last night.

2.  Women’s Referee T-shirt and Whistle (Amazon.com)


You might also consider a yellow flag or penalty cards to include with this gift…and if you want to go all out?? Time out bench for the win.

3. Mombie Sleep Mask (Amazon.com)

We all know that mombies are super-moms that run on coffee, sticky kisses, and no-sleep. Help a girl out with this amazing sleep mask that will both block out the early morning sun and convince her children that the real monster at 3 am is not really under their bed.

4. Colored Letter Board (VintageRevivals.com)

Letter boards are all the rage right now, and really, why not get one that will offer a much needed moment of levity to moms living in the hood. Motherhood, that is. Ain’t nothing rougher.

5. If Found In Microwave Coffee Mug (Etsy.com)

When Dad opens up the microwave to heat his bedtime chips & cheese he’ll automatically reach hero level as he brings mama a hot cup of coffee…even if it’s been rewarmed 3 times and she’s been snoring on the couch for an hour.

6. Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (Ulta.com)

As moms we want to know that we have something in our makeup arsenal that will flawlessly conceal the years of dark circles that have taken up permanent residence under our eyes. Tarte’s Shape Tape is one of the best concealers on the market, and your mom (sister, aunt, lady in aisle 6 at the grocery store with 4 kids…) will thank you.

So there ya go! One of the most honest gift guides you’ll find. Truthfully though, it doesn’t matter a stitch that we’ve got dark circles and no meal plans and cold coffee because being a mom is one of life’s greatest pleasures and privileges. And we wouldn’t trade it for the world <3

But if you could pass on a message to children everywhere…seriously guys, stay in your own beds 😉 Mombie means business.

What honest gift would speak your language this Mother’s Day?