FAMILY FUN

family fun It’s Time to Celebrate Mom!

By Jennifer Halter

Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, which will be May 9 this year. It's the day where our favorite mothers, stepmoms, grandmothers, sisters, aunts or any other mom figures in our lives are put into the spotlight and honored for all of the amazing things they do to support our families. Here are some ideas to help you show love for that special woman in your life.

Give Mom a Day Out of the Kitchen

Whether it’s breakfast in bed or a fancy dinner at home, treat Mom to a day off from cooking duties. Kids can prepare a special breakfast of her favorite foods (Be sure there is an adult to supervise if cooking or using knives.) and deliver it to her while she’s still relaxing in bed. For dinner, order takeout or delivery from her favorite local restaurant. Make it fun by decorating the table with candles, cute napkins or anything extra that will make the meal special. Everyone can dress up in their favorite outfits, too! When you’re done, have everyone, except Mom, pitch in to clean up.

Picnic in the Park

There are so many wonderful outdoor spaces in our area. Treat Mom to a day out exploring a new place she hasn’t visited before. If she enjoys hiking, check out a new trail. If relaxing is more her speed, try out one of the beach areas along the Potomac River. Want to keep it simple? Plan a nice picnic lunch at a park where she can breathe in fresh air and soak up some sun. Since this is a day to celebrate Mom, make sure she doesn’t have to do any extra prep work, such as packing lunches, snacks or any other essentials you may need. Your checklist may include: sunscreen, blankets, a first aid kit, bug spray or balls/toys/outdoor games for everyone to enjoy.

Show and Tell Mom How Much You Love Her

Let the kids (and even significant others) tell Mom how much she is loved by creating a card, writing a story or even making a video. For younger children, prompt

them with questions they can answer on camera or that you write for them, such as “What is your favorite thing to do with Mom?” or “What is your best memory you’ve shared with Mom?” The kids can create pictures of their favorite “Mom & Me” moments. You can even make her the Star of the Show by performing a skit or writing and singing a special song just for her.

Save Your Memories in Photos

Moms are always so busy taking the photos of the family and activities that a lot of times, they are left out of the pictures. Today, let Mom get in front of the camera as you document all the activities of her special day. The kiddos can get in on the action and take pics from their point of view. There are great online photo printing services you can use to create inexpensive albums or scrapbooks, which could make a great gift for next year or the next special occasion.

Show Love From Afar

Can’t get together in person with your favorite mother figure? Plan a virtual visit! If you want to do an activity with your loved one, such as a special craft, for example, send supplies to her in advance so you can do it together … even if you’re physically apart. If you send gifts in advance, use this time to share in the joy of watching her open them and soak in the smiles.

Give the Gift of Self-Care

Moms tend to put the needs of others before their own, so today, encourage her to treat herself to some of her favorite self-care activities. Perhaps she loves to get pampered with a massage or facial at the spa. Maybe she’s overdue for having her hair done by a professional and hasn’t made the time to make an appointment. It could be that she wants to take a drive to her favorite coffee shop for a drink or head to a bakery to treat herself to her favorite dessert. Set a budget, set up child care and let Mom take a day to pour into herself by doing things she loves and enjoys. Giving her time to refill her cup will give her a much needed boost so she can continue to pour into her family.

No matter how you choose to spend the day, take the time to tell Mom how much she means to you and show love to all of the favorite moms in your life. Happy Mother's Day!

Jennifer Halter is publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/Manassas.