Real moms tell us their Mother's Day wishes

The question: What do women want? Specifically, what do they want for Mother's Day?

Yes, it's that time again. The one day of the year set aside to honor mom. This year that's Sunday, May 13. Forget it at your peril.

I know that some men tell their wives that it's a contrived "Hallmark holiday." That is not a good strategy.

I also know men who tell their wives, "You're not my mother." That too is not a winning argument for failing to do something nice. She is the mother of your children. And what kind of example does that set for the kids? Let me answer that: poor.

So, with those lame excuses dispatched, let's return to the question I asked in a recent random survey of moms (and moms-to-be). It turns out that mothers are a selfless lot. No surprise there. Those I spoke with said that what they really wanted for Mother's Day was good health and the well-being of their families. But, when pressed, most came up with a thing or two that would make a welcome gift.

shopellen@tribune.com

Nicole Daksiewicz

31, with son Grey, 5 months

What money can't buy: "I'd like to sleep in. Sleep till noon."

But it can buy: "A new pair of flats because my feet are (a half-size) larger now than they were before I got pregnant. Some black flats would be nice."



Ashley

Wiggins



25, asset manager and mother of Madison, 7, and Darnell, 5

What money can't buy: "(My children) make the best gifts at school, hearts with flowers. I save them."

But it can buy: "Flowers, dinner at Ruth's Chris (Steak House) with my boyfriend. I already made the reservations! You want to help him along."



Rebekah Williams



27, surgical tech and nursing student

What money can't buy: Time to "meditate, relax, gather all my thoughts. At the end of the day there's no room for me. I have all these roles. I'm a student. I'm a mom. I'm a daughter. I just need to unwind."

But it can buy: "I'd love a good pair of heels. I was in Topshop. They had these suede lilac pumps. They were sooo gorgeous!"



Dawn Beye



58, psychotherapist

What money can't buy: "The safe arrival of my new granddaughter (and first grandchild). Mother's Day is her due date." (This just in ... baby Aria Ann came early and now grandma wants a ticket to Monterey, Calif., to visit!)

But it can buy: "A gift certificate to a cooking store or a bookstore. Books and cooking are my two favorite things."



Karin Olsen Campia



59, marine photographer

What money can't buy: "That my husband (recovering from a stroke) gets better."

But it can buy: "You can never have enough Hermes scarves. Big colorful scarves that my girls (Tori, 23; Tegan, 20) pick out."



Rosalynn Jovanovich



37, commercial real estate appraiser

What money can't buy: "I just want a healthy baby." Her first child, daughter Mila, is due June 10.

But it can buy: "To have my mother's engagement ring reset into some piece of jewelry."