A Family Mother's Day

Every year for Mother’s Day, fathers all around the country round up the kids and take them to the park or out to the movies and give mom the day home alone to relax. While this can be amazing (and hard to come by) for any mother, maybe this is the year to try something different. After all, Mother’s Day is about celebrating being a mother, right? Here’s a few activities that can be done with the whole family, really encompassing the spirit of Mother’s Day, bringing the family together, yet still providing Mom with those valued moments of peace.

Family Picnic

I know this seems a bit cliché but bear with me. After the tough Winter we just had, the entire family should be dying for a day out in the spring time air together. Whether you’re a master chef or you can barely make dinner, every father should be able to rustle up a few hoagies, some chips, and some beverages to make a solid picnic. Bring a couple yard games for some fun with everyone with a while. Then, take the kids for a walk for an hour to leave mom with her favorite book, magazine, or just the outdoors to get that relaxation that we all know she desperately needs.

Family Movie, Mom’s pick

Watching a movie as a family and let mom pick the movie. If going to a theater, let mom go to her seat while someone else gets the popcorn, candy, and soda. Remind mom that there are no calories in any food on mother’s day, especially in movie theater snacks. If you are watching a movie at home, let mom relax while the family prepares her favorite snacks and cleans up afterward.

Mother’s Day Game Day

As a kid, I always loved playing board games. Now I know not everyone is the same but I’m sure you can find some type of game that you and your family would enjoy playing together. Cards, a board game, even wiffleball in the backyard. The purpose of these activities is to find something that will entertain both you and your children so you can enjoy the day together as a family. Maybe throw some burgers on the grill and take the kids out for ice cream, giving mom a little time to herself, of course bringing her home her favorite treat.

Plant Flowers

Have a gardening day! Let mom choose the flowers to be planted and everyone dig in. Maybe hanging a few flower pots will bring a smile to mom. Or, if mom is more high maintenance this may mean pruning, mulching, raking and lots of watering. Some moms will want work right along, while others may prefer to sit with a glass of ice tea and enjoy watching her garden develop.

Of course, these are just a few of the ways you can maximize both the family and relaxation time on Mother’s Day this year. Combine some of these ideas together if you want or sprinkle in your own! Every family is different and the key is to finding what works for yours. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there and don’t forget to call yours and wish her the same thing!

– Carol Schmidlin, President

– Brett O’Brien, Social Media/Marketing Intern