For mums of all experiences, Mother’s Day provides a much-needed break. Here, we suggest the best ways to ensure she has a relaxing day Words: Melanie Greenwood

What mums really want on Mother’s Day, or any other day, changes little - happy children and a peaceful home filled with laughter.

‘In your dreams’ you might think. Still, if there’s one day when the maternal can call the shots, it’s Mother’s Day, which in case you are wondering, is Sunday, 30 March.

The actual celebration grew from Laetare Sunday in the Christian liturgical calendar. During the 16th century, worshippers returned to their ‘mother church’ for a service held on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

In later times, Mothering Sunday became a day when hard-working domestic servants were allowed to visit their mother but now it’s a lot more commercial.

To make it easy for the men and children, we have set out what mums of all ages would love and even better it may be cost-free.

Mums-to-be:

Before childbirth - enjoy every minute of feasting, resting, reading, pampering and relaxing. After delivery there’s little of this until they’ve left home.

First time mums:

Shell-shocked newbies need physical rest, mental soothing and a laugh as long as it doesn’t hurt stitches.

They often set impossibly high standards for themselves and feel riddled with guilt at not being good enough. Hopefully this passes quickly.

For those who have lost track of what time of day, night or even week it is, offer help with housework, supply numerous meals and treat them to an Emergency Mum Pack, which could consist of a comedy DVD, a wonderful stew, spa goodies, chocolate treats and perhaps a glass or two of wine.

Mums with babies and toddlers:

This woman needs an army of help, as does the equally exhausted father. Draft in support from family and friends to take out the brood and supply a meal they can eat in bed.

Yummy mummies with children between five and 12:

They’re at school; they can talk, go to the toilet alone and amuse themselves. This is the calm between the storms of pre-school and the typhoon years of teenagers.

Special treats on Mother’s Day include lovely glittery cards with sticky kisses, lukewarm tea and a sort of time off, that still involves you cooking and clearing up, but the other half, if you have one, might unchain you from kitchen sink and stove.

Wiped out mothers tackling teenagers:

These mothers scurry between work and supermarket, giving innumerable lifts at all hours and cash handouts without a minute to call their own.

As doors slam and endless food foraging goes on they should quietly slip away for the day, leaving a note on the table that offspring can fend for themselves!

Take yourself to the nearest cosy pub, or spa, read the papers, enjoy a lovely meal prepared by someone else and don’t return home until you can go straight to bed.

Newly calm mothers of children who have left home:

It’s good to reclaim your life and now it’s a joy to see them.

They’ll make Mother’s Day special, although you may have to remind them when it is and they could be far away. There will be flowers, you might actually get taken out to lunch or cooked for without having to lift a finger.

Mothers of grown-ups, who now have partners and offspring:

Let’s hope you like the daughter and son-in-laws, who also have their mums to see, who probably live elsewhere and you learn to share.

If you are invaded by small children, babies and enough equipment to stock a nursery store, you’ll remember just how that felt but now you have the energy and time to take little ones out, you can enjoy the peace and quiet tomorrow!