Here’s How Every Mom Handles Mother’s Day, by Myers and Briggs Personality Type
Mother’s Day can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some moms want the fuss, gratitude and attention—it’s their special day and they're going to darn well enjoy it! Others are more low key and would prefer a chill day with their family. And then there are those who don't really care because "it's just another day.” (Or so they say. Did you really not want a card and some flowers, mom?)
But one thing’s for sure: every mom would appreciate being acknowledged, just in her own way.
So, let’s talk about how different moms handle Mother’s Day based on their personality type. Hopefully, it will help you know where to channel your efforts if you want to make your mum feel special (which you totally should!).
INFP: Cries If You Don’t Remember
For INFPs, Mother's Day feels special—maybe even a little magical and spiritual. If it’s forgotten or they get a routine “Happy Mother’s Day!” greeting with no real effort behind it, they’ll feel quietly sad and heartbroken. What they really want is for you to honor what it means that they’re your mom (or the mom of your kids), but not in a flashy, grandiose way. A card with a soulful note or a voice message where you speak from the heart should do.
ISFJ: Quietly Hopes for Family Closeness
ISFJ moms often have high expectations for Mother’s Day, but not because they’re demanding or want an excuse to be the center of attention. They just give their all to their family all year long and quietly hope that others will acknowledge them for it. As introverted traditionalists, a classic and low-key approach would work best with them: flowers, a card with a sweet, handwritten note, or a dinner reservation at their favorite restaurant.
INFJ: Wants Sincere Appreciation For Their Motherhood
INFJ moms experience Mother’s Day on a much deeper level than they let on. They want a deep, sincere acknowledgment of everything they’ve put into the family but, as introverts, they’d prefer to keep it private and low-key. Bonus points if your gesture has a mystical or symbolic vibe. For example, this mom might enjoy a piece of moonstone jewelry as a symbol of their intuitive approach to motherhood, or a keepsake box with family photos, representing the treasure trove of happy memories they’ve curated for the family.
ENFP: Wants a Celebration
ENFP moms aren’t necessarily expecting anything fancy or over-the-top on Mother’s Day, but they do want to feel authentically appreciated and loved. It’s also a perfect excuse for them to bring everyone together and soak up the social vibes. So, think about arranging a get-together rather than just gifts (or both, because why not?). Something like a cozy family dinner or a backyard barbecue with all the relatives.
ISFP: Glows With Authentic Gifts
ISFP moms feel all the feels on Mother’s Day, but they won't make a big deal out of it. They care if others remember and make an effort on their own—if they have to be reminded or prompted, it doesn't count. They want the moment to feel genuine, not performative or like just another public holiday routine. What touches them most is something understated yet deeply meaningful. And if it has a creative touch, like a hand-drawn card or a cake you baked and decorated yourself, that's even better.
ENFJ: Family Togetherness Makes Them Smile
ENFJ moms might take the initiative to organize Mother’s Day themselves because, for them, it’s a perfect opportunity to bring everyone together and create a moment where people can bond, feel connected, and just have a good time. And while they do appreciate being acknowledged for their role as a mother, it’s rarely about soaking up praise and more about seeing their impact reflected in the happiness and closeness of their family.
ESFJ: Radiates Joy at Gatherings They’ve Organized
For ESFJ moms, Mother’s Day is one of the highlights of the year, and they might prefer to organize it themselves to make sure everything is done properly. They’re likely to set high standards for the event, expecting everyone to show up on time, dress appropriately, and be on their best behavior. They know they deserve all the effort because they take it upon themselves to hold the whole family together.
ESFP: Expects Something Spectacular
For ESFP moms, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to shake up the routine and soak in the social vibes (and maybe get a little social validation). A “Happy Mother’s Day” card or text won’t cut it. They want the attention, the recognition, the cute family photos, the hugs—the whole thing. Not even close. So don’t hold back. Decorate the house, throw a family dinner with all the relatives, toast to her, make a whole event out of it.
ENTJ: Will Optimize the Day
ENTJ moms see Mother's Day as an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments and strengthen the family unit. They’re proud of the family they’ve built and want it to be recognized. But don’t expect them to get misty-eyed over sentimental words or last-minute gestures. What they want is real effort and a lot of thought put into it—think personalized, high-quality gifts or a dinner reservation at a nice place. Bonus points if everything feels super organized and a bit upscale.
ISTP: Wants Low-Key, Practical Gestures
ISTP moms are super chill about Mother's Day. If it comes and goes without much fanfare, they won’t flinch. But if you do want to make them feel special, it’s the practical, useful stuff that really hits home for them. Think along the lines of what would actually make their life easier in the near future—like fixing something around the house they’ve been meaning to get to or meal prepping their favorite snacks for the whole week.
ESTP: Love It When You Plan Something Fun
ESTPs are pretty no-frills about Mother's Day. If no one makes a fuss or forgets about it altogether, they're not the type to sulk about it. They’re too busy living in the moment and doing things. That said, if you do want to put in the effort, think action, not sentiment. They’d appreciate it if you plan something fun and maybe a little out of the ordinary of your regular family routine—like a family game night or even a spontaneous day trip somewhere new.
ENTP: Wants Surprises
ENTP moms aren’t big on traditions and sentimentality. Mother’s Day is more an excuse for them to break out of the regular routine and do something fun in the company of people they love. Think along the lines of an exciting or unique experience—like skydiving, a hot air balloon ride, or even an interesting dining experience. Even better if it’s something totally unexpected that they wouldn’t see coming.
INTJ: Want To Know What’s Happening Ahead of Time
INTJs aren’t big on cultural celebrations. However, if no one acknowledges them on Mother’s Day, they'll take a mental note. They put a lot of thought and effort into making their family life run smoothly, and they expect that to be recognized—perhaps with a practical gift that reflects their interests or a well-thought-out family outing to their favorite spot. Ideally, everything should be scheduled and planned well in advance. Surprises aren’t really their thing as they might clash with their own plans which they likely have for weeks ahead.
INTP: Happy To Give It a Miss
INTPs aren’t exactly rushing to hang up Mother’s Day balloons just because everyone else is doing it. They're unlikely to even mention it if no one does first and just go on with their lives. They might even forget about it themselves. That said, they'll still appreciate a genuine but low-key gesture—something like a sincere card or a thoughtful text that actually sounds like you wrote it (not some copy-paste cliché). Just... maybe don’t make a big scene about it.
ESTJ: Want You to Remember and Show Up
As traditionalists, ESTJ moms expect Mother's Day to be taken seriously. But they’d likely prefer to organize it themselves since they don't think anyone can do it better than them. What's required of others is just to show up, participate enthusiastically, and follow through on whatever plans they've made. A thoughtful gift and maybe a heartfelt (but not overly emotional) “thank you for everything you do” will also go a long way.
ISTJ: Will Remember Forever That You Forgot
ISTJ moms see Mother’s Day as an important ritual of respect and acknowledgment. And while a missed Mother’s Day won’t start a fight, it will be remembered (for a long, long time). To make an ISTJ mom feel valued, stick with tradition—send a card or buy her favorite flowers. Making her life easier in a tangible way, like doing the chores or taking care of her errands, would also mean the world to her.