What’s your typical Mother’s Day about? Do you have kids at home? A Mom – or even Grandma – nearby? Friends and sisters who are Mom’s you support? Do you have traditions or do you keep it simple?
We don’t have a specific tradition, but the day has traditionally been kept simple. This year marks my 20th year as a Mom. I met my now-daughters back in 2000 when I was NOT exactly a kid-loving 28 yr old LOL. The first time I met the girls (at 6 + 8) I didn’t even want to sit too close to them, in case they touched me and I shriveled into oblivion in a pile of kid-poison-germs. Honestly, I’m not even sure why my now-Husband kept dating me at that point… In a 7 quick years that followed, I had gone from single with a cat (OH, how I miss Frank!) to a Mom of 4 kids, but it all started 20 whole entire years ago.
For awhile, Mother’s Day would simply be a hike at Lighthouse Park, baby carrier strapped on, with picnic and a dog in tow. Once we happened to be in Mykonos, right next to a fabulous fish restaurant. Although, if I recall, we ended up having pizza that particular day. A few years back the boys were all at Scouts, but the girls and I did a breakfast, lunch AND dinner out between us, my Mom, and my Nana. But, mostly, we’re home. Even though the girls are older and some years scattered across the globe, all that really matters is that somehow we’re all together. Even if it’s just for an hour. And all together is the best gift I could ask for.
It’ll be different this year for many a Mother. Quarantine will keep us apart, save for Zoom or FaceTime. Celebratory brunches can’t be booked and dinners will likely be missing key ingredients. A fortunate few will be surrounded by children still at home, but too many will be alone. So how do you simply show Mom you truly appreciate her on a Mother’s Day in quarantine?
- Florists will likely be working OVERTIME this year with deliveries, but maybe this year gifting an outdoor plant to enjoy from the window is an option for the more quarantine-sensitive Mom’s? Beautiful blooms can live outside the window while ‘self-isolating’, and later a bloom or two can be gently cut and brought in with water to appreciate.
- ZOOM. FaceTime. I know, we’re over it. But why not extend your time on Mother’s Day this year? Enjoy dinner or brunch together while apart. Play an online card game together with your devices. Watch a movie together. Spent TIME.
- Make a little love-list together of things you want to do post-quarantine, giving Mom a few things to look forward to!
- Send/give hand-written cards.
- Home? Make breakfast, lunch AND dinner! It doesn’t have to be dripping in Hollandaise or fresh homemade pasta with shaved truffles (which is what I asked for… haha!) – but make an effort to try something she would ENJOY (and not be afraid to eat)
- TOO many kids at home? Give Mom the gift of – leaving the house. LOL! Pour her a cup of tea, sit her with a book, and take all the kids and dogs and anything else that makes noise for an hours walk.
- Have a bottle – or three – of her favorite wine delivered! I mean, we’re all still gonna be here awhile…
- Let her pick the movie. AND actually WATCH IT with her!
- For one solid day, put down the devices and talk to Mom.
Need a quick and easy breakfast that will feed the whole family?
Try this Dutch Baby recipe from Chef Matthew Stowe, Top Chef Canada Season 3 winner, from his Instagram – it’s delicious and simple filled with her favorite fruit and a few shakes of powdered sugar.
(Just watch for plastic handled pans going in the oven!)
What about something you and Mom can both make, shared together online while you chat? A charcuterie board works and creates a conversational piece as you each share what you put on your boards, what you ate as a kid, memories of times food brought your family together.
Attempting dinner? Fresh pasta with a simple tomato and lemon sauce is something everyone can get involved in (don’t worry about the truffles LOL).
Time, effort, love. It’s the simple things, really, that matter most.
It might be a year of re-imagining your traditions, but that’s ok. Sometimes change helps us re-focus.
Enjoy Mother’s Day with all your favorite Mom’s out there – aunts, cousins, whomever. Go out and encourage a Mom somewhere! It’s a freakin tough job! It’s my first Mother’s Day without my Nana, so I’m looking forward to doing something small to remember her.
What will your Mother’s Day look like?
Breathe deep, take life in, and embrace simple.
All my best,
