Remember, it is not Wife's Day but Mother's Day. It is the kids who have to make the effort, but they may need guidance from their father. For some women Mother's Day can be more important than their own birthday.
Mother's day is not about money, but children showing love and appreciation to their mothers. As the father, remind the kids to visit their mother. As the husband, you could let her sleep in, and when she is ready to get up, you or you and the children could make breakfast and serve it to her in bed or sit down as a family to eat. Don't forget to clean up after breakfast. It won't be as special for mom if she is left with cleaning up the mess.
Here are some ideas to pass on to your children:
- Planning a day for their mother and letting her know how much they all appreciate her will most likely mean more than anything they could buy.
- Mothers always like it when the children offer to do a chore they don't normally do. Suggest they each give her a book of coupons for chores they will do when she needs them done, but only if they will actually do the chore when she asks without putting it off or making an excuse when the time comes.
- Remind them to say "I love you" and give her a kiss. This is also something you should do.
- This is another idea: I made an "I Love You" out of post-it notes and wrote a little something or drew something on each little post-it and then during the night I taped it to her door. Then in the morning, I went outside and picked some little flowers off our bush and put them in a glass bowl full of water and next to it put a little card. Then I went downstairs and cleaned the kitchen. She loved it, and it didn't cost anything.
- Encourage them to get some flowers, either by buying them or picking them, and deliver them to mom personally. A nice bouquet delivered personally shows mom you really care much more than one that is delivered by the florist.
Here are some comments from moms:
- For a mom, there is nothing greater than to see that her children can start taking care of themselves and her as well. It shows that they learned well; that is what the whole upbringing was all about.
- Last year my family packed a picnic and took me to the park. They made me cards and didn't let me prepare my own sandwich or anything. We walked the boardwalk and such. When we got home and the kids were off to bed, my husband ran me a hot bath and rubbed my feet. It was just a quiet day with the family, but it was really great. I'll remember it forever.
- I never understood, as a kid, why my mom would get choked up when I made her a homemade card. Now that I am a mom myself, I finally get it. It sounds cliche, but it really is the thought that counts. Just let her know you appreciate her.
