“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9
My son is only two and stays home with me, so I haven’t felt the pressure that so many modern mamas face as they prepare their little loves for all the Valentine’s parties. However, social media has undoubtedly shown me the pressure, and it’s not only financially infeasible but also quite unrealistic—coming from a mama who stays home and, in theory, should have all the time and resources to make these holiday extras happen!
Whether it’s the pressure to purchase a Valentine’s card mailbox (with all the monogrammed trimmings), make homemade goody bags with all-organic candy, cut doily heart garland streamers, or pay for a Valentine’s mini photography session, it’s too much.
When you feel overwhelmed and unable to do it all, rest in the truth that you can’t do it all. There is freedom in admitting this, mama, and while the enemy wants you to feel like you’ve failed, God is using this humility to grant you the rest you need.
Is there anything wrong with knitting your little ones a homemade Valentine’s sweater to make fun pictures? Of course not!
Is it okay if you stay up late baking homemade pink and red cupcakes for the classroom Valentine’s party? Absolutely.
Honestly, I think it’s not only essential but emotionally healthy to curate sweet holiday memories with your family, especially your children, who look to you for rhythms and traditions that provide both joy and security.
The problem isn’t created by what we do (so long as it’s God-honoring, obviously). Still, it arises when our motivation for doing everything centers on meeting society’s standards rather than cultivating love in our homes. The danger lies in our hearts being centered on participating in activities to prove our worth or elevate ourselves above others, rather than serving our families with joy.
When our intentions shift from honoring God and the responsibilities He’s given us, we’ve separated ourselves from faithful Love. And how can we celebrate Valentine’s Day if we aren’t actively investing in and displaying faithful Love for our hearts and others?
It’s easy to get caught up in the consumerism that plagues so many of our holiday celebrations. After all, the ads, reels, and posts bombard our digital feeds. But keep a check on yourself, mama, by regularly asking this one crucial question: Have I intentionally displayed the love of Jesus in my children’s lives today?
Displaying God’s love in this season might look like taking a few minutes while everyone is in the car to ask each child to share one reason they know God loves them. It could be reading a love-themed Scripture to the entire family before dinner. It could also look like making holiday memories, like baking heart-shaped cookies, cutting out handmade cards, or decorating the house with pink and red streamers.
Have fun this Valentine’s Day! Make the crafts, buy the candy, take the photos—but only so long as these holiday extras are rooted in the delight, joy, and calling of our all-loving God. Stay vigilant in your maternal calling to safeguard the hearts of your children so they, one day, can separate man’s fickle, often financially-induced ideas of love with what is true, eternal, and so, so freeing.
And remember, love is intentional, and it always considers the hearts and souls of others. So rather than allowing today’s marketplace to control your headspace and manipulate your heart, ask God to guide you through this season so you can actively, purposely show up for your children, rightly showcasing the love of our good, good God.
Let’s pray:
Father, when the world says our worth as mothers is centered on how much we do or how much money we spend, let us remember the truth: our main objective is to showcase your love to our children. Help us humbly accept that we will never be perfect at this, but may the admittance of our limitations be the very thing that points our babies to your forever-dependable nature.
In today’s modern culture, may we never lose sight of the ancient truth that your love sustains us all. As we share that love with our children, may we showcase your hope and love. In your holy name, Lord God, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Anastasiia Krivenok
Related Resource: How to Stop Comparing Your Prayer Life and Start Praying for Real
Have you ever listened to someone pray and thought, Well… I’ll never sound like that? In this encouraging conversation, Donna Jones sits down with author and speaker Shellie Tomlinson to talk about the comparison trap in prayer—and how to get free from it. Shellie shares why God isn’t looking for “perfect prayers” or spiritual clones. He wants you. We unpack simple, practical habits that help you linger with God, stop quitting when your mind wanders, and remember that prayer isn’t the goal—a deeper relationship with Jesus is. Shellie shares one simple reminder about approaching God in prayer that I’m sure I’ll never forget. You don’t want to miss it! If this episode of That's Just What I Needed helped you prioritize what matters most, be sure to follow the show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Tuesday, 03 February 2026.
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