BY JANET MARSHALL

In 1870, with the Civil War fresh in her mind, social activist Julia Ward Howe advocated for a Mother's Day for Peace. She wanted moms to rise up and demand peaceful ends to conflict, according to historical accounts.

If you ask modern moms what they really want, peace is still high on the list. Because a modern mom's peace is often disturbed, even in the best of times.

And these are not the best of times.

For Mother's Day, Theresa Knowles of Spotsylvania County said she really wants the peace of mind that would come from her husband finding a new job. She said he's been laid off, and his last day is May 22.

"I'd be willing to give up any gift or token of appreciation if he could give me that news," Knowles wrote in an e-mail.

Another mom e-mailed that what she wants most is for her sons to stay safe. One has served multiple tours in Iraq; another went over in December. Her youngest was recently injured by a rocket-propelled grenade.

"I would love to fall asleep, even for just one night, not wondering, hoping, praying that my sons will be alive when the sun rises," she wrote.

Keri Tolliver of Spotsylvania County said she'd appreciate some peace of mind about her "responsibilities as a mom."

"For example, not feeling sick to my stomach about how I am going to stretch the budget one more week for groceries, or how much gas I can put in the car and still have a few dollars for candy bars when my little girls have earned something special," Tolliver said.

'YOU'RE DISTURBING MY PEACE'

Even when nothing dramatic is happening--no one's in danger, no one's sick, money's OK--it can be hard for a parent to unwind.

Because for all the joys of raising kids, there are endless meals to cook and fights to referee and jobs to get done.

Moms are often told to take care of themselves first--to put on their own oxygen masks before helping others. But their Mother's Day wishes reveal that they tend to do the opposite.