Ten Ways for Mocha SMCs to Rock Valentine’s Day

Leading up to our first Mocha SMC live event, which we held this past Valentine’s Day, Aisha found an article in Working Mother that listed the top ten ways for single moms to rock Valentine’s Day. After reading a few of their suggestions, like having slumber parties and playing truth or dare with your kids, we decided this list wasn’t for us. So instead, we rallied our Mocha SMC Pod by asking them during our event how they wanted to spend their V-day. We compiled the popular answers from the event to create The Mocha SMC way to spend Valentine’s Day. 

1.  An Uninterrupted Nap: Every SMC can likely agree that we don’t get enough sleep, especially when our kids are little. I am pretty sure that I haven’t slept a full night in two and a half years, since the night before my youngest was born. So, a few hours of uninterrupted sleep would be a fantastic gift.

2.  Shopping (Bonus for Black Owned Businesses): Listen, moms love to shop without their kids. Sometimes it feels like a treat to just run errands without them, and I find myself wandering the aisles of the supermarket in complete bliss. But as Mocha moms, we understand how important it is to support Black businesses so some of us specifically seek them out and shopping on V-day is no different. 

3.  Spa Day: Whether it’s a full body scrub from the Korean Spa, or a mani/pedi from the spot down the street – we like to be pampered. While this is hard during the pandemic, giving ourselves a face mask and placing some cucumbers on our eyes will do just fine in a pinch. 

4.  Have Your Child Make You a Meal: The consensus from the group was that this one only works if your child is at least eight years old. Prior to that, you might get boggers in your omelet or burnt toast. 

5.  Get Family/Friends to Watch Kids: This is truly the best, in my opinion, because it also allows for the time to do several other things on this list without interruption. We love our villages because these people make any type of self-care more accessible.

6.  Desert and Good Wine: Treat yourself to a good box of bougie chocolates and fine wine. Sex is good, but sometimes chocolate can be a close second. So why not indulge on this one day?

7.  Hop onto Online Dating Sites for Some Quick Validation/Adult Conversation: We’ve had some lively conversations in the Mocha SMC space lately about the trials and tribulations of online dating, but many of us can at least agree that what it’s good for is certainly quick validation that Mama’s still got it. 

8.  Get Yourself Fancy Coffee and Drink it While it’s Hot: I haven’t been able to finish my coffee while it’s still hot in about 7 and a half years (the age of my older daughter). But even if you can’t drink it while it’s still hot – without interruptions – at least ensure that you don’t have to make the coffee by supporting a local small coffee shop (bonus if its Black owned) and letting someone else make it. 

9.  Order Takeout: Until your children are old enough to cook your dinner, do yourself a favor and outsource the dinner tonight. Kick up your feet and let someone else cook the meal. 

10.  Eat and Drink Whatever without Sharing: Every mom can relate to a moment when she’s hiding in the corner so that she can eat something without her kids asking for a bite. So, it’s a treat to be able to savor a meal without the kids trying to steal it. One woman mentioned that she’s gonna get some crab legs and Margaritas. I have always said, it’s not drinking alone if the kids are home! Go get those crab legs girl!

However you decided to spend Valentine’s Day, we hope the day was filled with laughter and lots of love. My older daughter told me just before she went to bed, that I didn’t have to worry about not having a valentine – she offered to be mine. While I didn’t get anything on this actual list, I did get to spend an hour with my Mocha Mamas and I ended up having the best declaration of love I could have asked for from my daughter.