Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Forget flowers and candy, it’s all about giving mom more time. As a working mother of five, here are a few helpful tips on gift-giving to make this the best Mother’s Day yet!
- Give time, literally. The Apple Watch can keep mom organized, giving her more time to accomplish her endless list of to-dos. Until I had one, I had no idea what all the fuss was about. This little miracle of technology keeps my calendar at the ready. The face of the watch can be customizable to all those tasks I need to remember throughout the day. I can respond quickly to texts and kid calls, track calorie expenditure and my handy dandy little friend even cares enough to notice when my blood pressure starts to boil. My watch reminds me to breathe and when times get tough, takes me through visualizations to regain a moment of peace. It’s the perfect gift to help mom stay at the top of her game.
- Give time to grub. An Uber Eats gift card is perfect for the mom always on the go. She can get everyone fed and have a minute to herself. Brownie points if the kids promise to clean up afterward.
- Give time to relax. A spa gift card is the best choice for the mom who needs a minute to recharge (hint: every mom). We could all use a little pampering to get in touch with the woman we used to be, pre-spit-up days.
- Give time to exercise. Inspire mom to get her groove on – maybe it’s a gift card to a local spin class or maybe a Groupon to a local dance studio. One of my nearest and dearest discovered a passion for hip hop, thanks to a gift card from her hubby years back. She will still tell you… Best. Gift. Ever!!!
- Give time for a hobby. Yoga definitely isn’t for everyone. Standing in tree pose, while remembering the 1001 things on my to-do list. No, thank you! Instead, I recommend tennis. Bounce. Hit. Bounce. Hit. To avoid a broken nose, it requires constant concentration. There is no time to think about anything else, and it’s the perfect way to get out some aggression! A one-hour private tennis lesson might just be all the time mom needs to work out the stresses of her day.
- Give mom time to sleep. Mom has not slept since the kids were born, so an afternoon to herself to get her REM on is the perfect gift. Call a sitter, find some coverage, help out – just let mom sleep! Barricade the kids downstairs, silence them with promises of donut holes, whatever it takes – just let mom sleep!
- Give mom time to be fun. Organize an activity, preplanned, one in which the kids are already on-board. Moms can get so stressed out trying to plan something that everyone loves. Take that pressure off her shoulders and team up with the kids to do something
special. As a mother-of-five, I know the chaos that comes with planning family activities. Johnny wants to bowl, but Sara hates bowling. Sam will reluctantly go to the bowling alley, but only if he can play video games. But, Melanie prefers the movies and even if Melanie can get Johnny, Sara and Sam to agree to go to the movies, they will never agree to watch the same movie. Two hours pass, the family is still home fighting and the opportunity to spend quality time together has now has passed without an activity. For sanity’s sake, get the kids on board! - Give mom time to be alone. Yes, moms love being your mom/partner/confidant, etc., but we all need a little breathing room. Draw a bath for her, hang caution tape outside the door and give mom alone time! Let her binge on Netflix or do whatever she wants to do, without having to answer to anyone. You’ll look like a hero and mom will come back refreshed and thankful.
- Give mom time to make memories. Moms are big on memories. Sit down with the kids and have the family list their favorite memories with mom. This will mean the world to her. Those precious points in time, the ones that really stick with your kids, are what being a mom is all about.
- Finally, freeze time. Spend an entire day capturing those precious memories of mom with her kids, just being – making snacks, cleaning up, cuddling on the couch or deep in discussion with the 5-year-old. Those basic everyday moments are the ones that will be the most missed when, one day, mom finds herself with time again…
Happy Mother’s Day!
About The Author
As a CEO, keynote speaker, trusted legal expert, lactation accommodation law specialist, breastfeeding expert and mother of five children, Debi Yadegari is transforming the dynamic between working parents and corporate leaders across the country.
Debi founded her company MommaWork on the belief that parents shouldn’t have to choose between personal and professional success. Her mission stems from her own experience as a working mother and continues to drive her passion to provide exceptional support for working parents across the country.
