Mother's Day comes on the second Sunday of May each year. A special chance for sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters to celebrate the beauty of Mom. If there's one person in your life that offers rock steady and uncompromising love & support throughout your life...you're very blessed. And chances are that one person is your mother and/or grandmother. Without moms and grandmoms, the very business of family life would simply grind to a halt.
For grandmothers, this special day is also a great opportunity to further your legacy efforts. Mother's day is the one day per year when the rest of us do our best to return a kind favor. Though our awkward gifts and acknowledgements are paltry weighed against the acts of mothering, at least it's a symbolic gesture that mom's sacrifices do not go unrecognized. And with the family spotlight turning in Mom's direction...it represents yet another moment for Mom to express the magic that only she can.
When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.
-- Pablo Picasso
Grandmother's have the opportunity to play a very special role in the raising of grandchildren. And this time around, they have a significant advantage. While grandmom may certainly make great efforts to babysit or watch the kids, chances are this time she has more time to unwind, to re-set, and BE the wonderful grandmom each time she sees her little ones. A better chance to provide the strategic inspiration and pure ESSENCE of motherly love.
If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're the grandma. --Teresa Bloomingdale
Moms of the moment, on the other hand, are caught in the crosshair of trying to provide the ESSENCE while also tackling the daily chores. Laundry that re-spawns itself within hours. Incessant crumbs. Vomit trails lining the hallway carpet at 2am. Feeding kids who are starving most every hour, though mysteriously...not the dinner one. Yes, being a mom is very tough work. And were it not for the counsel of good friends, the clumsy but helpful support from dad, and the handy glass of pinot grigio...it would all be nearly unbearable!
Moms study, rethink, and analyze their every move throughout their lives. From a man's perspective, just being in the presence of a mother's mind at work is tiring. For men, the internal thoughts can be embarrassingly simple. As I write this, my mind is slipping towards....Nachos.
That's it. Just nachos.
But, if you listen close enough to the brain of a mother, you can literally hear a slight buzz as you would from a supercomputer raging through calculations with several thousand megaWatts of power raging through the system! The faint smell of hot electronics in the air! Exhausting!
For grandmothers, I surmise it's part of life's design that you've got a unique benefit over the mom of today. Many thousands upon thousands of additional thoughts and analyses that have played out in your mind. You've re-lived your greatest triumphs, your moments of weakness over and over in your mind. You have theories and improvements made throughout the years. And, so when grandkids arrive, not only do you have more answers (which continue to evolve forever towards perfection) but also are unburdened with the daily grind of mothering...it's a distinct advantage and a grandmothers' blessing.
And its' in this of life's design that Grandmothers are offered a special chance to impact their grandchildren greatly. You truly have a deep perspective on life. Wonderful experiences to share. Nurturing, ever patient, love to give. Support not only for your grandkids, but to their mother as well. Accepting, forgiving, and encouraging support because you KNOW the difficulty of Mom having to work on both key elements of parenting.
All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.
--Abraham Lincoln
At the very moment in life when we not only have more time and resources, along with the perspective from dozens of life lessons...we get grandkids. And, that's not by mistake. Are you using your time and perspective to leave a legacy?
On this page, you'll find a number of new and creative ideas to connect with your grandchild. Whether you are browsing for something special for a mother in your life, or as a mother or grandmother to others, there are ideas here for you. Make this Mother's day special with a connection to your little ones, and also take time to re-energize your life purpose.
A mother's love liberates.
-- Maya Angelou
Ideas for Mother's Day
What would Mom want?: We all have different value sets, and the most common mistake when it comes to gift-giving is to think from the perspective of our own eyes. To become a truly skilled gift-giver...really make an effort to take time and think about your recipient. What would Mom want? Start at a high level. Is Mom longing for a grand family gathering? Or is she in need of a getaway on her own?Is she really longing for that car GPS unit? (As the dad, I know I would be! But that would likely be a mistake!) Here's a wild idea...ask her! Or, to get your creative juices flowing, here is a collection of ideas...
Legacy Planning: As a Mother, perhaps you've already come to the insight of your great opportunity and life commitment to your children...the passing of your greatest life lessons. Maybe you're even well ahead of the pack and made efforts to create a legacy. But don't beat yourself up if you haven't taken action yet. Visit the Create Your Legacy page, and take a single action. Pick any action that is of interest. Perhaps it's an analysis of your strengths. Or of your grandchildren's special and individual abilities. Perhaps it's printing out the Free worksheet. No matter how small the step, just take one. You'll be one step ahead of most...
Jewelry: Many moms love jewelry. Throughout human history, there's been a certain fascination with bright, shiny things. But more importantly, a well thought-out gift for Mom on Mother's day can carry a special meaning and connection for years. This year, carry forward the long-standing tradition for sparkly magic, and pick up a special piece of jewelry to express your appreciation for Mom. Or flip it up on them! Express your motherly love with a starter piece of jewelry for your granddaughter.
Create a Memory Treasure Chest: My wife found a neat little book which we gave to our dad's last year. In it, there are several leading questions to ponder. From little intricacies to deeper thoughts, the books sort of pull from you your life story and greatest lessons. Many of us are not gifted writers, and these great books provide a tool to capture the magic anyway. Here's a couple options to consider. Not only does this make a great gift for mom or grandmom...it's a gift that may become treasured by several future generations...what a spectacular Legacy building opportunity!
Tisket a Tasket:A great option for the Mom in your life is to treat her to a well-deserved gift basket. Check out Winebasket.com for a wide selection to include not only wines...but an assortment of special baskets offering candies, chocolates, fruits, gourmet foods, and even spa treatments among a variety of other great ideas.
The Great Escape:If the mother in your life would really long for some quiet time away from it all...give her just that. Perhaps it's visit to that dayspa she's mentioned. Or, if she loves to cook, perhaps offer her admission to a local gourmet course on cooking. Shopaholic? Dismiss her for a day to her favorite shopping mecca, or buy her a gift certificate to that fancy boutique. (Tell her you won't expect her home for dinner.) Maybe she's into museums, opera, or theatre...plan a special day with her ideals in mind. Whatever her great escape might entail, make plans to somehow handle the kids, and give her a guilt-free green-light to take a break.
The Family Vacation: Maybe instead of time alone, mom or grandmom are really longing for more family time together. What type of gathering would she be imagining? A nice family dinner at home, or at a restaurant? Perhaps that family vacation you never have time to plan (or agree on!). Travelling makes for great grandchild - grandparent memories, so take action when you can...don't let great opportunities like those pass right on by.
My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.
-- Mark Twain
Some Movie R&R:Perhaps the moms in your family are into the movie scene. Why not treat them to an afternoon matinee. Or, pick up some great Mother's Day classics from the selection below.
Grandchild Prep for Mom: Maybe a great way to connect with your grandkids around Mother's day is to help them prepare some surprises for their unsuspecting mom. Check out some arts & crafts ideas, create a home-made card, or make a silly picture collage with a bunch of hand-written messages for mom that the kids come up with. Help the mom (your daughter or daughter-in-law) uncover her potential legacy themes by having the kids write an "I love you because..." letter. What a great way to foster a deeper family understanding of each other's uniqueness.
Family Portrait: Especially with little ones, the sensation of time fleeting by is great. Something EVERY mother cherishes is to capture those moments. Yet, planning for a professional family portrait raises many challenges. Yes, they can be expensive, but what mostly blocks the idea is the difficulty in bringing all members of the family together. (And without the whining!) Well, do it for mom! She will absolutely love the idea of a family portrait session at your local studio. Pre-arrange for the photo-shoot, and have the family all chip in for a work of art that will be Mom's best Mother's day gift ever!
My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind.
-- Michael Jordan
A Night Out:Once kids arrive in families, it's a rarity for any of the adults to enjoy a night out at a nice restaurant...let alone do so together without the kids. For Mother's day, after enjoying the fun of the adult and children relationships together, why not take the additional step to plan an evening for the parents and grandparents to enjoy each other's company in a restaurant sans the kiddie menu? It's a chance to reinforce your motherly connection to your adult kids. Don't have a reliable friend / neighbor to babysit...check out this option:
For the new Grandmother: Maybe the new baby is still a bit young to be writing letters to his young mom. So, why not give it a whirl yourself. Anything you'd like to convey to your daughter or daughter-in-law on her first Mother's day? Special insights. Encouragement. Funny stories. Wishes of support. As a new Grandmother, contemplate how your role in life has just shifted. What changes in yourself might be pending? For some mental and physical guidance on getting started, check out the Expecting Grandparents page.
Write a Grandchild love letter:Kids love to hear stories and they have two favorite topics. 1) Themselves and 2) Stories from their parents and grandparents of when they were kids. So here's a twist on mother's day. Like a true mom, put the focus on the children...after all, isn't that what Mothering is all about? Write a letter that highlights the special talents in your grandchild. If you already have a legacy theme in mind, use your letter as a reinforcing tool. Remember, the right words are incredibly powerful and legacy super-chargers. A few hours invested of your time could produce a letter that will be treasured forever. Kids also love to hear stories of when their parents were children. Why not connect your legacy theme through your own memories of raising up your grandchild's mom or dad?
No one in the world can take the place of your mother. Right or wrong, from her viewpoint you are always right. She may scold you for little things, but never for the big ones.
--Harry Truman
Books on Motherhood
Moms make the world go round. You could never truly distill the magic of motherhood into words. But there are a number of great books that capture motherly insight. Whether seeking a guide for your child whose becoming a first time parent, or a refresher for yourself as you enter the grandmother years...much can be gained from the wisdom of others and shared experiences.
After all, isn't it always the mom who asks for directions? Us guys would rather plod forward in our own stubborn way of learning life's lessons. (We do eventually get there by the way.) Women, on the other hand, systematically root out the best pathforward from the experiences of others. So books on mothering are a natural resource. Check out these highly recommended books which celebrate or inspire the art of motherhood. Great gifts for the mothers in your life...
Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all.
--Oliver Wendell Holmes
Movies for Mothers & Grandmothers
The greatest movies capture our attention with a unique perspective on the intricacies of real life. The story lines and happenings may be fantastic. But, it's the moments when we see a reflection of the real world (of our lives in the movies) that makes us love them. Check out the selection below of movies below. Many are are regarded as the great "MOM Tribute Films" of all time. You'll find a range from drama to comedy, and even suspense. Ultimately, you might find echoes of your own mothering or grandmothering.
If nothing is going well, call your grandmother.
-- Italian Proverb
