The role of mothers in shaping their daughters’ and sons’ lives is unsurpassed. Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest and be the best we can be.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. So, this year give her the gift of your heart and time, and make it a special day she’ll treasure.
Mother’s Day Brunch Serve your mother a scrumptious breakfast or take her out for Mother’s Day brunch. If you prepare it yourself, the following menu will be sure to please: fruit salad, juice, waffles or pancakes with her favorite blueberry or strawberry topping, Canadian bacon and fresh sausage, omelets or eggs benedict, homemade hash browns, and coffee cake or Danishes. Also, don’t forget the fresh cut flowers for the table centerpiece.
Spring Bloom What better way to spend a spring day than together in your mother’s garden? Pick up her favorite annuals and perennials: begonias, petunias, violets, morning glories, poppies, marigolds, snapdragons, or mums. Then enjoy a relaxing day together planting and sprucing up her flower garden and catching up on old times.
Mother and Daughter Memories Give your mother a keepsake that’ll be dear to her heart. Purchase Mothers & Daughters: A Record Book About Us to fill out and share with her. Or create your own memory book with a scrapbook or journal. Include photos and memories about special times the two of you have had together; the most important things you remember about your mother from your childhood; how she has inspired you; and the times you look forward to in the future.
The Main Event Surprise your mother with tickets to an event she’s been dying to see: the ballet, a concert, play or musical, the opera, a favorite sporting event, a comedy show, or dinner theater. Be sure to tell her you have something special planned (but not what), so she’ll be all yours for the day.
A Short Excursion Spring is the perfect time to tour the countryside. Take a car or bike ride with your mother, and enjoy the vivid colors of spring, blue skies, beautiful blossoms, and other scenic sights.
Family Portrait If your family is like most, you’re well overdue for an updated family portrait. What better time to have it done than on Mother’s Day? Schedule to have your family’s picture taken at a studio, or hire a photographer for a photo shoot in the park. Coordinate with family members in advance on the formality and color scheme, so outfits don’t clash. Inform your mother how to dress for her special day, but keep it a surprise, and don’t disclose your plans.
The Power of Poetry You don’t need to be a poet to write a special verse for your mother. In your poem, share what it was like growing up with her, how she influenced your life, or tell her just what she means to you. Then print it on stationery, and mat and frame it.
A Little Pampering Mothers spend many years pampering their children giving bubble baths, washing hair, and caring for them when they’re ill. Give your mother a special treat, a gift certificate for pampering at the spa where she can enjoy a Swedish massage, hair design, a sea spa manicure and pedicure, or a soothing facial. (See Allison Chance’s article on pages 12-14 for ideas.)
Weekend Getaway Put together a weekend package designed especially for your mother. Choose a destination that offers the activities your mom most enjoys. Leave the dates for the getaway open so she can make the trip at her convenience, or so the two of you can make plans together.
Keep it Simple Plan a relaxing day together enjoying the outdoors, and head to a nearby park where you can meander along nature trails, take a scenic bike ride and reminisce.
Especially for Mother Select from one of many poetry books for and about mothers that expresses what you’d like her to know. Try one of the following:
- Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me by Maya Angelou
- Mothersongs: Poems For, By, and About Mothers by Sandra M. Gilbert et al.
- You Are One Amazing Lady: Special Thoughts to Share With a Truly Wonderful Woman by Douglas Pagels
Kimberly Blaker is a lifestyle and parenting freelance writer and blogger. You can visit her blog, The Young Gma’s Guide to Parenting, at www.theyounggma.com
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