The ideal present for a SAHM (stay-at-home mum)

You know what I reckon a SAHM or stay-at-home mum treasures most?

Peace of mind.

Jewelry and flowers are wonderful gestures of thanks to your wife's hard work, but if you really want to wow her, offer to take over her mummy duties for a period of time (a day? a weekend? a whole week?). I don't mean just making sure the kids survive, but really learning the ins and outs of their routine, what needs to be done, what shouldn't happen, and so on.

Because when you truly know your children, and what should and shouldn't be done at various points of the day, and what they do and don't like that is when your wife has peace of mind.

And what does it say about you? It says to her that you've noticed her major role in the family. It says to her that you appreciate and admire what she does. It says to her that you acknowledge that it's not easy. It says to her that you're proactive and caring enough to not only free her up, but to give her peace of mind when she's off doing her own thing and leaving the children with you.

Keen to try solo-parenting for one weekend? Ease yourself in, to give yourself (and her!) the confidence that you can do it.

So this weekend, for the entire weekend, keep your eyes and ears open. Watch carefully and see what she does and how she handles the kids. Remember it all.

Next weekend, leap up before she does, and look after the kids. From getting them out of bed, to breakfast, to showers, to getting dressed. She'll be around, after all, so nothing will go too pear-shaped (we hope!).

And the weekend after that, give her the gift of a weekend off, with peace of mind included. Keep her updated through the day via SMS tid bits of what the kids are up to, if she wants to know. Let her relax, knowing the kids are safe in your hands because you know exactly what to do.

And that will be one of the most thoughtful and meaningful 'presents' you can give to her!