Mother’s Day and Giftgiving

What Do You Really Want?

If you didn’t get the Mother’s Day acknowledgements from your children, and their father, you’d be upset, right? Yet, if you are like so many other women, as nice as it is getting the flowers, gifts, brunch, etc., it leaves many of you feeling disappointed.

Does that make you sound ungrateful? NO! If, on Mother’s Day, everyone makes a fuss but the next day everyone goes back to taking you for granted, how can you not be disappointed?

Here are a couple suggestions for your kids of things you might really want and enjoy. And you can send them to this blog entry any time of the year: Mother’s Day, your birthday, Christmas, when you don’t feel well…and whenever the people you care for are forgetting how important you are in their lives!

Happy Mother’s Day. May this be the best Mother’s Day for the Mom in your life!

Kids…here are some things you can get your mom that she’ll really like:

Time. Most women fill their waking time with tasks for family, work, school events, etc. As a result, they leave no time for themselves. Pick one time-consuming job that Mom does regularly and take over that chore – permanently. It could be cleaning the bathroom each week, doing dishes or taking Mom’s aging mother shopping once a month. Whatever you pick, follow-through and really make it your job. Extra hint: make sure Mom agrees to use the hour or two that you are giving her each week for serious self-care.

Appreciative Attention. Instead of depending on the card and gift industry to tell you when to honor your mother, start a new ritual called Mom’s Personal Day. Pick one day a month – or even every other month. Mark it on your calendar and hers. Plan something special to let your mother know she is valuable a part of your life.

Need ideas for your Mom’s Personal Day? Based on her interests and age, your Mom might enjoy a mother-son brunch, afternoon at the beach or a museum, a mother-daughter shopping trip or simply a loving visit from you where she is the total focus of your attention. Find out what she would like best, and do it for her. Windfall moment: you’ll be making memories with Mom that will stay in your heart long after trinkets have lost their usefulness. Added benefit: you may discover a whole new appreciation for something you never thought you’d like.

Stress-relief. What’s the one thing you do that stresses Mom out? Is it being defensive or argumentative? Maybe she stresses because you don’t pick up after yourself, or don’t call. Whatever that one thing is, stop doing it. It won’t take away all Mom’s stress, but every little bit has an impact. Side bonus: the effort will build your character – and that will please Mom even more!

Mom will always love you, and these ideas will show her you love AND appreciate her too!!