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What moms really want for Mother's Day

Alone time and help around the house are on the Mother's Day wish list.

BY LORI O'TOOLE BUSELT

The Wichita Eagle

Mother's Day is May 11, so your shopping days to find Mom that perfect gift are numbered.

We asked WichiTalk readers to tell us what they really want for Mother's Day.

Here's what several had to say:

Me time

Wichitan Laurilei McAllister, a stay-at-home mom, has a 5-year-old daughter, a 2-year-old son and a 7-year-old stepson who is with her part time.

She also baby-sits often.

McAllister said her perfect Mother's Day would start with her husband taking the kids out for the day.

"If I had money, I'd go to a spa," she said. "If I didn't, I'd stay at home and relax: take a long, hot shower and watch a movie -- something that wasn't kid-related."

Don't forget your manners

Wichitan Peggy Hookup, who has a 17-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter, said she doesn't want anything for Mother's Day except for her teenage children to use the words "please" and "thank you."

Quality family time

On our WichiTalk blog, Wichitan Kim Bonham posted a description of her ideal day:

"All the dishes and laundry done without having to ask (or argue), a nice meal cooked for me, handmade cards, maybe a picnic, just family time for one day without having to rush off to a track meet or softball practice. Alone time with the family... that's it."

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Wichitan Carol Smith, who has three children ages 49, 47 and 42, said she would like them all to attend a service at her church, Asbury United Methodist, with her on Mother's Day.

"That would be the nicest present that a mother could have," she said.

Help around the house

A 70-year-old woman e-mailed us to say that she'd love her family to get their hands dirty helping her on her to-do list.

Her list of chores, she explained, includes repairing the fence, trimming the trees and tilling the garden.

She doesn't have the stamina to do it herself, she wrote.

Be crafty

"The very best present from any child regardless of how old they are is something that that child makes, either a painting or a little story or a homemade card," said a women named Marilyn who called our WichiTalk hotline. "You can keep it for years. It's much better than going out to eat or anything because it's a record."

Pampering present

Another caller had a simple request: "I would love to have a manicure. I really would. And then if they have a lot more money left over, how about a pedicure to go with it? I would love it."

What do you want for Mother's Day?

It's not too late to join in on the conversation about what moms really want for Mother's Day. Find the entry on our WichiTalk blog at http://blogs.kansas.com/wichitalk/.

Reach Lori O'Toole Buselt at 316-268-6562 or lbuselt@wichitaeagle.com.