Mother's day...

Mother's Day is a perfect time to celebrate your mother and all her wonderful qualities. Why not make this one the best Mother's Day she's ever had?

1

Discuss the day with your other family members. You don't want to step on anyone's toes! Perhaps your older sister was thinking of bringing Mom to the water park for the day--you could all pitch in and have a fun afternoon. Or maybe Dad heard Mom mention how nice a relaxing day at the spa would be. The more information you have, the better a decision you can come to. Remember: multiple brains are always better than one.

2 Consider giving her a gift. Be it a stuffed animal and a card, or a new patio set for the deck, a gift is always appreciated. Flowers and chocolates are one option, or consider a photo collage of her as a mother. A fancy recipe book of all the family recipes would be nice as well. And you can't go wrong with a gift certificate to her favorite store! Think about your mother as a person; think about what she likes to do. Show you know her by choosing a thoughtful gift.

3

Devise a plan for the day. You have tons of options, depending on where you live, what your mother likes to do, and how much money you can spend. Is she always on the go? One choice is to spend the day relaxing at home--make her a healthy breakfast, run her a bubble bath, watch some movies and reminisce about the past. Or you can take her out--go to a museum, a water park, the movie theater, a play, or pack a picnic and grill out at the park. Another option is to give her a break and send her off for a day alone, perhaps at the spa for a manicure, pedicure, and haircut. Meet her for lunch and give her your gift. Whatever you decide, make sure you focus on Mom today.

4

Make contact. If you live across the country or overseas, and can't celebrate with Mom, be sure to send a sweet card and give her a phone call. Perhaps include a gift certificate with the card, or send a small gift. You could even order flowers from one of the many websites that offer those services. But overall, a phone call is a must. Your voice is a wonderful gift to a mother whose baby is far away.