Hi there, fellow mamas!
As I sit down to write this, I’m sipping lukewarm coffee while my son (a ball of endless energy) is bouncing around pretending to be the Easter Bunny. It’s 6:45 a.m. on a Saturday, and I already stepped on two plastic eggs. Still, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. If you’re a working mom like me, juggling a job, parenting, and attempting to create Pinterest-worthy holiday memories, you’re probably somewhere between “this is magical” and “when can I nap?”
Easter is one of those holidays I’ve learned to love in a new way since becoming a mom. It’s sweet, colorful, and filled with opportunities for bonding—if we give ourselves a chance to enjoy it. Today, I want to share some of the things that have worked for us: the crafts that didn’t drive me crazy, the games that kept my son entertained long enough for me to fold laundry, and the mindset shifts that helped me show up better—not perfect, just better.
The Juggle Is Real: Time Management During Holidays
Let’s get honest: trying to squeeze in themed activities during a workweek feels almost impossible. Between Zoom meetings and school drop-offs, I used to think I had to do everything to be a “good” mom—elaborate egg hunts, themed snacks, handmade decorations. I tried it all one year and ended up crying in the bathroom because I’d forgotten to print bunny ear templates and my son didn’t even notice.
Since then, I’ve become a lot more realistic.
My Easter Time Management Hacks:
- Plan in 15-minute blocks. That’s all it takes to dye eggs or decorate one or two. You don’t need a full afternoon.
- Use weekends wisely. I pick one weekend morning before Easter to do a “mini egg hunt” in the backyard or living room. I hide pre-filled plastic eggs while my son eats breakfast.
- Prep while they sleep. I keep a small box of Easter-themed items (stickers, small toys, etc.) that I prep after bedtime over the course of a week. No last-minute stress.
- Involve your child. The more he helps—whether it’s stirring the icing or placing stickers—the less you have to do, and the more engaged he feels.
Simple, Sanity-Saving Crafts That Actually Work
Let me be clear: I am not the crafty mom. I don’t own a Cricut machine or a hot glue gun. I gravitate toward activities that require minimal supplies, little cleanup, and can be done on the kitchen table while I check emails.
Top 3 Crafts My Son Loves (and I don’t hate):
- Sticker Easter Eggs
I buy a pack of large foam egg shapes from the dollar store and let my son decorate them with Easter stickers. No dye, no mess, no cleanup. 10/10. - Paper Plate Bunnies
Paper plates, cotton balls, googly eyes, and glue. My son loves gluing on the “fur” while I sip coffee. Bonus: these make cute wall decorations! - Color-Your-Own Easter Cards
We print out free Easter coloring card templates online and he colors them for family. I mail them or hand them out. It’s sweet, creative, and lets him practice writing his name.
Easter Games That Let Kids Play While You Breathe
Sometimes, you just need something that keeps them busy while you get dinner going—or just sit in silence for five minutes.
Low-Prep Easter Game Ideas:
- Easter Egg Spoon Race (Indoors!)
I give him a plastic spoon and a plastic egg and challenge him to walk across the hallway without dropping it. Add a stopwatch and it becomes serious business. - Easter Bingo
There are so many free printables online. We use jelly beans as bingo markers, which makes it twice the fun. Great for family night! - Egg Matching Game
I put small matching items (like two jelly beans, two erasers, etc.) inside plastic eggs and mix them up. He shakes them and guesses the match. - Egg Hunt with Clues
For older kids, you can hide clues inside each egg leading to a “prize” at the end. I just use handwritten riddles—nothing fancy!
Let’s Talk Guilt (Because It’s Real)
I used to beat myself up if I didn’t make homemade cookies for every holiday or missed the school Easter party because of a work call. That guilt? It’s heavy. But I’ve come to understand something:
You don’t need to do everything. Your love is enough.
Easter isn’t about being perfect—it’s about creating joyful moments. Sometimes that means grabbing a store-bought craft kit. Sometimes it means turning on “Peter Rabbit” so you can rest. That doesn’t make you less of a mom. It makes you human.
The turning point for me was last year when I forgot to buy Easter basket stuff until the night before. I panicked, raided the pantry, and stuffed it with snacks, a book he hadn’t read yet, and a Matchbox car. The next morning, he was thrilled. Not because it was perfect—but because it was from me.
The Self-Care Side of Holidays
I used to forget that I mattered during holidays. I’d pour myself out—planning, cooking, organizing—and feel completely depleted by the end. Now, I try to build in moments of self-care, even during busy seasons like Easter.
A Few Things That Help Me Recharge:
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier (I know, I know) just to sip coffee alone.
- Say no to “perfect.” If crafts aren’t your thing, skip them. Do a puzzle or read a spring-themed book instead.
- Phone a friend. I text a fellow mom during Easter week just to say, “You’re not alone.” That connection helps more than I can say.
Work-Life Balance: Still Learning, Still Growing
Balancing a full-time job and mom life is no joke—especially around the holidays when the pressure dials up. I don’t always get it right, but I’ve learned some lessons:
My Work-Life Easter Wisdom:
- Block off family time on your calendar. I mark off one evening before Easter as “family time.” No work emails, no phone calls.
- Let your child see you take breaks. My son now says, “Mommy needs her tea time,” because I’ve normalized rest.
- Celebrate small wins. You did crafts? Victory. You made a basket? You’re amazing. You hugged your kid today? You’re doing more than enough.
An Empowering Word for Fellow Moms
Mama, if you’re reading this and feel like you’re not doing enough—I want to tell you something I wish someone had told me years ago:
You are showing up. You are trying. You are loving. That is enough.
Our kids won’t remember if we made homemade cookies or store-bought ones. They’ll remember how we made them feel—loved, seen, and celebrated. So whether your Easter looks like a Pinterest board or a pile of plastic eggs in a laundry basket—it counts.
Take a breath, laugh when things go sideways (because they will), and know that you’re not alone on this journey. You’re raising magic, one sticky-fingered memory at a time.
Happy Easter, from one working mom to another. We’ve got this.
