Make Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day is coming up.   This is not merely a day to tell your mom you love her.  It's a day to honor MOTHERS.  All mothers. Your wife (if you're a married guy), who cares tirelessly for you and your kids.  Your mother.  Your mother-in-law.  Any woman who has been a mother or mentor to you.  Thank moms for the very special sacrifice that they make.  All moms.

So don't just get your own mother a card, write "I love you" and be done with Mother's Day for another year.  Think about the women in your life who are mothers and find a way to truly thank them for the love they give to their children-our future- everyday.  It may be your grandmother, your daughter, your mother-in-law, your wife, your sister, your friend.  It may even be a spiritual mother like a nun or a woman who was like a mother to you, but think about the mothers in your life that you are really close to and show them that you appreciate and understand what a special vocation this is.

In case you wanted a few ideas for things that moms really love and appreciate, I jotted down a few

1. Affirmation

• Write a nice letter or a poem 
• Create a mini scrapbook or photo album with some favorite memories and add some personal touches/notes
• Draw or color a picture and ask your child some questions (what do you love to do most with mom? what is your favorite thing mom makes for you?  what does your mom look like?)
• Tell her how wonderful she is and how much you love her (several times!)

2. Pampering

• send them to a spa (don't have money?  create the experience at home with a foot bath, massage, and homemade facial treatment--hint: go to pinterest i.e.http://pinterest.com/dartjjj/homemade-facials/)
• make or order dinner and be sure to take care of the dishes afterwards too
• give her the day off from all her household duties and let her sit on the couch and read a book or watch her favorite show
• send her on a "shopping spree" to pick up a few new items 

3. Time spent with kids

• Make a special tradition and try to do it every Mother's Day (my hubby plans a hike to a different water fall each year-this will get more difficult in future or we may have to repeat some waterfalls. I love hiking, I love nature, and I love to spend time with my family and make memories.)
• Let each kid plan a special event or activity to do with mom (color a picture, get an ice cream cone, play a board game, etc.)  Depending on how many kids you have and what other activities are planned for the day, you may have to allow some kids to have their mini-date with mom on an alternate day 
• Play a family game (let mom choose which game)
• Watch a family movie (let mom choose)
• Call or Skype long distance moms and grandmas
• Bake mom's favorite dessert with mom (if she likes baking, otherwise move this idea to the "pampering" section and make it for her

4. Prayers

• Say a rosary for the moms in your life
• Make a spiritual bouquet to give to mom (kids commit to say some prayers and make a nice card and decorate it with the prayer commitments and pictures)
• Have a Mass said to honor mom

Did you notice that most of these ideas were either free or had a very small cost?  Try to be more heartfelt this year, rather than simply picking up a poetic card, bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates (of course, we'll take those too if you insist).  :)

If all else fails, try some of these (found at CrappyPictures.com)