Okay, so you’ve got gifts for mom sorted out, but what about the rest of the day? Here are a few tips to make sure your first Mother’s Day is a success:

• Communicate your expectations: Let your partner and family know what you want out of the day. Whether it’s sleeping in, a day off from diaper duty, or a fancy brunch outing, make sure everyone’s on the same page. If you’re newly postpartum the day might be much slower and that’s ok too!  Communication is key, as much as we’d like our partners to be mind readers, they just aren’t.  So don’t set yourself up for disappointment.  Don’t be afraid to speak up and set expectations and be direct with your asks.
• Don’t overbook yourself: It’s tempting to want to celebrate with everyone, but don’t feel like you have to pack your day full of activities. Remember, this day is about you and your little family.  If celebrating your mom or your mother-in-law is important, make sure to make a plan in advance so no one gets their feelings hurt on the day of.
• Take lots of pictures: Trust me, you’ll want to document every moment of your first Mother’s Day. Make sure to get lots of pics and videos of you and your little one (and don’t forget to actually be in some of them, too!).
• Embrace the chaos: Let’s face it, life with a new baby is unpredictable. Don’t stress if things don’t go exactly as planned. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re surrounded by the people you love most.  Set realistic expectations to avoid being let down if the celebration’s don’t go exactly to plan. Chaos sometimes comes with the territory and it’s ok to give yourself, and your plans of the ideal Mother’s Day, some grace and flexibility.