Celebrating Mom: How To Make Every Day Her Special Day!

Bearers of life, wipers of noses, givers of unconditional love ? mothers are the unsung heroes of everyday life. Although it is hoped that you recognize and celebrate your Mom on a regular basis, her special day-Mother's Day-is soon approaching.

Although the first official Mother's Day took place on May 9, 1914 when, then president, Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May "Mother's Day", cultures have been celebrating mothers throughout history. While you may not be planning to erect a statue as done by the ancient Greeks, this Mother's Day you'll want to ensure you have thought of a way to show her you care. Here are a few ideas:

WITH WORDS ?

? Buy or make a card. With over 144 million commercial greeting cards given, Mother's Day remains the third-largest card-sending holiday. While store-bought cards are nice, consider spending a little extra time and making your own. Include memories, reasons why your Mom is special, or even an original poem.

? Send an electronic card. There is large assortment of online greetings you can personalize with your own special message-everything from animated cards to greetings from the cat.

? Create a memory book. Fill it with special remembrances from you and your family. Dads can help younger family members write down memories and messages for mommy, or help select original artwork and drawings for inclusion. A homemade video or audio book can also capture the memories.

WITH ACTIONS ?

? Give her a day off. Taking over the laundry, dishes, cooking or other routine jobs she does is always appreciated. Give her that most elusive of items-free time!

? Start a family ritual. Consider starting an annual event. Look to Mom's interests for inspiration. Picnic by the lake? A family show celebrating Mom? Even Moms & Dads have Moms. Consider taking the kids to visit your Mom and having a special family tea party at her home or nursing home.

? Give the gift of touch. Foot massages, back rubs, hugs & many kisses!

? Make something. Consider framing foot and handprints of young children, making personalized coupon books or a special craft. One mom shares, "My son gave me a lovely pin he made. It looks like a wad of chewing gum with 'jewels' on it. But there are still times (years later) I wear it with pride!"

WITH PURCHASES ?

? Take family movies and have them transferred onto VHS tapes or DVD's.

? Spa treatments, bubble bath, theatre tickets, a book by a favourite author, a special food, or dinner out. It's not the size or expense, it's the thought that makes it a gift from the heart.

Your mom is an amazing person-cheerleader, doctor, counselor, protector and guide. Abraham Lincoln had the right idea when he said, "All that I am or hope to be I owe to my mother." This year, try to put a new spin on your gift to Mom, making sure it reflects just how much you care.

Award-winning educator, author & parent coach, Rob Stringer is currently working on his first book, Parenting with Intention, and has launched a free monthly newsletter by the same name. Visit http://www.ParentingWithIntention.ca to subscribe, access resources, or learn more about PWI's parent coaching services.

---

School Days - Top 10 Tips for Establishing a Good Routine

Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More

The Scientific Breakthrough That Allows Every Couple To Choose The Gender Of Their Baby

The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Driving and Having a Car is a Privilege, Not a Right

Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More

How Public Schools Assault Parents Values

Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More

Watch What You Say

"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold.""Don't you get... Read More

Challenges for Our Children

Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More

Four Tips For Alleviating Back To School Anxiety

Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More

End Homework Battles

Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More

Baptisms And Alternative Ways To Hold A Naming Ceremony

Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More

Loving Your Step-Children

Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More

Exposing the Damage: TV and Kids

There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More

Parents Need to Vent Anger! Try These 4 Steps to Serenity

Parents are losing their self-control to anger. A friend called... Read More

Nurtured by Love or Matured by Nature?

"There is nothing new under the sun," states Ecclesiastes 1:9.... Read More

Create a Story Book with Your Child

A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More

Building Teen Character: Part-Time Employment

The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's... Read More

Dads - What Family Legacy Are You Passing On to Your Children?

Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More

Teaching Kids the Value of Money

My husband and I have a 12-year-old daughter who wanted... Read More

Dad, Go Ahead and Cry

She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More

Toxic Chemicals, Are Your Children Being Exposed?

You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More

How Effective Are Ritalin and Dexedrine in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?

Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More

Parents/Teens and Money ? 5 Ideas for Keeping the Peace

Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More

Educational Toys And Childrens Books - A Must For Optimal Childhood Development

The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More

EEG Biofeedback Training as a Treatment Option for ADHD

The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More

Life Lessons in a Glass of Beer

It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More

Just Average

What do you mean average? Not good? Just doing good... Read More

Public Schools Can Waste 12 Years of Your Child?s Life

For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More

Tackle, Tackle

I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More

Weathering Colic for New Parents

A common problem many times facing parents is Colic. Estimates... Read More

Should The Dad-To-Be Attend The Birth?

Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More

Violence in Media

In the news, we hear and see an increasing number... Read More

Why Consistency Is The Key To Raising Well-behaved Kids

Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More

Parenting Failure? It May Not Be All It Seems!

I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More

So, The Thing Is... Im Feeling A Little Guilty

So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More