Mother’s Day still might be celebrated a little different this year. Families don’t have the options of going out to eat, getting a babysitter, or dropping off their kids at Sunday school. But there is still a lot you can do to show mom she’s special! We’ve come up with a few ideas for how you can help mom feel loved, even in quarantine.
Ideas for Mother’s Day
Before you dive into making plans for Mother’s Day, start by asking what makes the mom in your life feel loved. Some moms want to be pampered, but others feel more rested when they can do something active. If you’re not sure what would make mom feel cherished, ask her! And if your kids are old enough, get their input on what to do for mom this weekend.
1. Restful Quality Time
One of the most valuable gifts you can give mom is the gift of time, whether that’s alone time or quality time in important relationships. Does she miss having time in prayer and God’s Word or even just to read a book she enjoys? Does she love going on walks in nature or being able to exercise? Maybe she just needs a while to soak in a bath. Make space for whatever helps her feel rested.
This can be challenging if you have young kids in your family, but do what you can, even if it’s just for an hour. Dad, you might take the kids to play outside or have them stay in one room in the house so mom can get a little time to herself.
All I want for Mother’s Day is to sleep for 9 straight hours, wake up to the sound of coffee brewing and then have my husband say things like, “I’m gonna entertain the kids all day so you can sit on the couch in your pjs and buy your Mother’s Day gift in peace!”
— Mommy Owl (@Lhlodder) May 2, 2020
Maybe it’s been a while since mom and dad have had a date. In that case, you could have the older kids or an extended family member babysit (assuming that’s following your state’s social distancing guidelines). If you don’t have those options, you could have the kids spend a little extra time in front of their screens or have them play quietly on their own in their rooms.
Also consider what mom might like to do together as a family that would be special, whether that’s watching a movie, going on a bike ride, or playing a game. You might even set up a surprise Zoom call with extended family.
2. Around the House
Even if mom gets alone time, it’s not likely she will feel rested if the house is a wreck or if she needs to take care of any meals. Clean the house and then be vigilant to keep it clean throughout the day so she doesn’t even have to think about it. If you want to go a step further, after you clean the house, decorate it for her!
Making mom breakfast in bed is a good option if that’s something she would enjoy. Since you can’t go out to eat this year, you could order a meal in so she doesn’t have to cook it. Or if that’s too pricey, make a meal for her and get the kids to help if you can. One way you could make the meal more special is by having a picnic outside.
Whatever you do, don’t let her do the dishes. Many moms are so used to keeping the house tidy that they will automatically clean up without saying anything, even on Mother’s Day.
Also, think about other chores or duties mom usually takes care of during the day so that you can take those off her shoulders.
I’m not sure what my husband is planning on doing for me on Mother’s Day but I hope it’s laundry.
— Sarcastic Mommy (@sarcasticmommy4) May 2, 2020
3. Gifts
Often on Mother’s Day, kids make a special craft for their moms in Sunday school, but we don’t have that option this year. So here are some craft ideas that your kids could work on at home ahead of time.
Something that’s a little more creative than simply buying mom a gift is coming up with a list of items or experiences she would enjoy and then making your own gift basket for her.
Many florists will be closed this Mother’s Day, but you can still buy mom flowers and a card from the supermarket. Another idea instead of a card, dad, is that you and the kids could give her a “thankfulness jar.” Brainstorm what you appreciate about mom, write your ideas on slips of paper, and put them in a jar to give to her.
What are your ideas for how to make Mother’s Day special?
