By a working mom who’s still learning to balance love, life, and glitter glue
Valentine’s Day has always had a soft spot in my heart, but ever since becoming a mom, it’s taken on a whole new meaning. No longer about roses or fancy dinners, February 14th in our house is now more about construction paper hearts, glitter explosions, and that proud smile on my son’s face when he hands me something he made “just for Mommy.”
As a full-time working mom juggling emails, meetings, and that never-ending laundry pile, carving out time for holiday crafts isn’t easy. But each year, I try to make room for it—because these are the memories I want him to hold onto, and honestly, they help me reconnect, too.
The Struggle Is Real: Making Time for Crafts (and Everything Else)
Let’s be real—our days are packed. Between deadlines, dinner prep, and trying to remember which day is Pajama Day at preschool, it’s easy to push things like Valentine’s Day crafts to the bottom of the list. I used to feel like I had to choose between being the “fun mom” and the “responsible adult.” But here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t have to do it all—you just have to do what matters most.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few hacks that help me sneak in craft time without sacrificing my sanity:
Time Management Tips:
- Plan ahead: I set a reminder on my phone a week before Valentine’s Day to pick up basic supplies—glue sticks, pink paper, googly eyes. No Pinterest panic-shopping at the last minute!
- Use evenings wisely: After dinner is when we do our craft time. I turn off my laptop and we sit at the kitchen table. It’s messy, yes. But it’s also magical.
- Keep it short and sweet: Not every project needs to be an hour-long ordeal. Most of our crafts take 15–30 minutes. Enough time to have fun without melting down (him or me!).
Our Favorite Sweet and Simple Projects
Here are a few of our go-to Valentine’s Day crafts—simple, cute, and mom-approved:
1. Heart Critters
We cut out paper hearts in different sizes and use them to make animals—ladybugs, owls, puppies. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennas and you’ve got yourself a heart critter zoo.
Pro tip: Pre-cut the hearts if your little one is still mastering scissors. It saves time and frustration.
2. “I Love You Because…” Cards
This one melts my heart every time. We fold construction paper into cards and write “I love you because…” on the front. Then I help my son come up with one or two reasons. (“Because you make pancakes!” was last year’s winner.)
Mom moment: Don’t worry if your kid scribbles all over it—it’s still beautiful.
3. Valentine’s Day Slime
Yes, I went there. I used to be anti-slime (because ew), but now we make a simple version with glitter and pink food coloring. He’s obsessed, and I’ve learned to tolerate it.
Clean-up tip: Keep a plastic tray under the bowl, and have baby wipes on standby.
4. Handprint Hearts
Trace and cut out your child’s handprints in red or pink paper, then glue them together to make a heart shape. We tape ours to the fridge or make a banner.
Keepsake idea: Date the back of one each year. It’s a sweet way to watch those little hands grow.
Overcoming Guilt and Perfection Pressure
I’ll be honest—there have been years when Valentine’s Day snuck up on me, and I felt guilty for not doing “enough.” I’d scroll through social media and see perfectly styled photos of heart-shaped cookies and elaborate DIY cards, and think, Why can’t I be that mom?
But then I realized something: my son doesn’t care about Instagram-worthy crafts. He cares that I sat down with him, looked him in the eye, and said, “Let’s make something together.”
So here’s your permission, mama: let go of perfection. If the glue doesn’t dry in time or the hearts are lopsided, who cares? You showed up—and that’s more than enough.
Practicing Self-Care (Yes, Even During Craft Time)
Something unexpected happened the first time I fully unplugged and crafted with my son—I relaxed. For those 20 minutes, I wasn’t thinking about work or the dishes. I was just there, in the moment, with glitter on my fingers and love in my heart.
Craft time has actually become part of my self-care routine. I light a candle, play some calm music in the background, and let myself enjoy the process. It’s a small act, but one that reminds me that joy isn’t always in the big moments—it’s in the gluey, giggly, heart-shaped ones.
Quick Self-Care Ideas for Craft Days:
- Make yourself a cup of tea before you start.
- Play your favorite playlist while you create.
- Take a photo of your child’s masterpiece and make it your phone wallpaper for a week.
- After craft time, take 10 minutes just for you—read, journal, stretch, whatever fills your cup.
Finding Balance (Or at Least a Better Rhythm)
Work-life balance can feel like a myth some days. I don’t have all the answers, but I’ve found a few things that help me maintain a healthier rhythm:
- Block out family time: I treat our craft sessions like I would any meeting. They’re scheduled, they’re important, and I protect that time.
- Ask for help: If I need to prep for a big project at work, I’ll ask my partner to handle dinner or take over bedtime. We’re a team.
- Be present where you are: When I’m working, I try to focus on work. When I’m home, I try to unplug (even if just for a little while). It’s not always perfect, but it’s the intention that counts.
The Beautiful Mess of Motherhood
Last year, we made Valentine’s Day cards for my son’s classmates using heart stamps made from toilet paper rolls. They turned out adorable—and completely covered our dining table in red paint. I remember looking around at the chaos and laughing, genuinely laughing. Because that’s motherhood, isn’t it? Beautiful and messy, all at once.
And honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Final Words of Encouragement: You’re Doing Great, Mama
If no one’s told you lately: you are doing a phenomenal job. Whether you made ten crafts this year or forgot it was Valentine’s Day until your kid asked why everyone was wearing pink—you are enough.
Crafts aren’t about being the perfect mom. They’re about creating space for love, connection, and creativity. They’re about letting your child see that they matter, that your time and attention belong to them, even if just for a little while.
So go ahead—pull out the glue sticks, the scissors, and the heart stickers. Sit with your child, make a mess, and make a memory. And then—take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back, and know this:
You’ve got this, Mom.
