South West mums missing out on Mother’s Day lie-ins as rest tops wish list

Mums across the South West are among those most likely to miss out on a Mother’s Day lie-in this year, according to new research highlighting how difficult it can be for parents to catch up on sleep.

A national survey commissioned by toddler and baby sleepwear brand Sleeping Stars found just 30 per cent of mums in the South West are expected to get a lie-in, far fewer than in London where nearly six in ten (60 per cent) are likely to sleep in.

For many mums, the dream Mother’s Day gift isn’t something wrapped up – it’s simply the chance to rest.

The survey found a third of mums (33 per cent) say their number one Mother’s Day wish is a full day off parenting duties, while around one in six (15 per cent) say the best gift would be a full uninterrupted night’s sleep.

Across the UK, however, the reality on Mother’s Day morning often looks very different. The study found only one in ten mums (11 per cent) actually get a proper uninterrupted lie-in on the day, while more than one in four (25 per cent) are still woken up bright and early by their children.

The situation is even worse in Wales, where 44 per cent of mums say they will not get a lie-in at all.

Despite this, many people still believe traditional gifts are what mums want most. More than four in ten Gen Z respondents (42 per cent) believe flowers are the perfect Mother’s Day present, but just 9 per cent of Boomers say they would actually want them.

It’s not just Mother’s Day either – many mums say they are doing most of the hard work all year round.

More than four in five adults (81 per cent) say mums take on most of the “mental load” when it comes to organising family life and special occasions, while just 12 per cent think the responsibility is shared equally.

Women are the first to admit mums are doing most of the heavy lifting, with more than nine in ten (92 per cent) saying they carry the load, compared with two thirds of men (68 per cent).

Ilona Andrews, certified child sleep consultant and founder of Sleeping Stars, said the findings reflect the reality many mums face balancing family responsibilities with their own wellbeing.

“For many mums, the idea of a Mother’s Day lie-in feels like the ultimate luxury, but as our findings suggest, it’s something far fewer actually get to enjoy.”