I Love You, Mom!
Moms, we see it every year. Flowers, candy, cards. We keep it together 364 days of the year, never missing a birthday, recital, basketball game or soccer match. But today is the day we take off. The day where we kick our feet up and just relax. The day where we snap our fingers and our wish is their every command—maybe in a more perfect world, anyhow.
As moms, our jobs are never over. So how do we hang up our capes and just enjoy the day? Simple! Follow these steps and you’ll be fine!
Hint with every breath in your body!
If you want something specific, be specific!
Kids’ minds run a mile a minute. If they know Mother’s Day is coming and they know you want them to clean their rooms more than anything in the world, they will make their best effort to make it happen. There’s nothing wrong with setting your hopes high. After all, who knows better than Mom?
Get Daddy involved!
It takes two to tango! Dad, get involved. You know better than anyone else what a mom has to deal with, from picky eaters to the principal’s office. Help make her day special with breakfast in bed or even dessert after dinner. Whatever you do, just make sure she doesn’t have to cook. While women love to pull out those aprons for special holidays and celebrations, Mother’s Day is just not one of them.
Leave yourself reminders!
If you want to do something special for your mom, and distance stands between you two, (whether that’s a phone call or a road trip that takes hours), make her feel special by not forgetting! Leaving yourself gentle reminders can help more than you know. “Don’t forget about Mom!” on a sticky note or setting your phone to the date can really save you a headache later. There’s nothing worse than forgetting to give a little love on a day that counts to the woman that gave birth to you.
The gift that doesn’t keep on giving…
Gifts are great, but there’s nothing worse than giving a gift that can’t be used. Moms are usually impressed with the thought, but please…please…PLEASE don’t get her something she does not know how to use! Let’s kick this Mother’s Day up a notch. Think of her, and if you’re still not sure, ASK HER! High-tech remotes that start the microwave and washing machine at the same time sound super cool but can turn out to be the worst when you’re trying to program them.
Spa Day!
“I don’t want to be pampered and pleased,” says no mom ever! Spa days are a great getaway from reality. Local spas are great! Custom spas are even better. Creating your own at-home oasis for Mom can be simple and fun for the kids. It’s even a great way to get everyone to help with half the cost. Someone can wash Mom’s hair, polish her nails and maybe slice a few cucumbers to place over her eyes. The sky’s the limit—and a few more tips from her favorite blog or magazine can make things even better! Be creative.
Jessica Samuel is a native of St. Louis and current Kansas City resident, journalist, photographer, graduate student and ALLY.