Teenagers and Mother’s Day

We received a great question from one of you readers:  When the kids are past that cute hand print stage, what are some good ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day with teenagers?

My style is to finally have a holiday that I don’t have to think about–it’s all up to my husband (poor soul) and the kids.  I don’t want to think about what we’re eating, I don’t want to plan festivities, and I DON’T want to do the dishes.  But I want them done.  And the sink and counter clean too, if that is within the requests budget.

Here are 10 ideas of celebrating a meaningful Mother’s Day with your teenager:

1. Teens and older kids can plant flowers for mom. If mom goes out and buys her favorite flowers (or tells dad and the kids which are the ones she wants), they can spend the Saturday before Mother’s Day planting them in the garden.
2. Dad and kids can go buy a bouquet of flowers for mom that represents the family (particularly good for large families or grandparents). My dad always bought one type/color flower for him and mom, a different type/color for the sons, another for the daughters, another for the sons-in-law, another for the daughters-in-law, another for the grandsons and another for the granddaughters. It’s awesome for them to see how their family has grown and added to itself as they see the variety of flowers and colors. Very fun and special.
3. We also used to write a paragraph about why we loved mom and give it to her for Mother’s Day (also a great thing to do on birthdays or other special occasions). I cannot imagine a mother who wouldn’t love to receive a letter from her kids telling her why they love her!
4. Write a letter to each of your children. Try it this year, and you will probably want to make it an annual tradition. Go ahead and tell them how lucky and proud you are to be their Mom. Be as specific as you can. You will treasure it, and so will they.
5. If you don’t mind helping make your Mother’s Day dinner, get the whole family to do it together! Each family member can be in charge of a part of the meal…but they can also do all of the clean up while you put your feet up or take a bath or read a book. Just make sure you’ve written the shopping list so they can get the groceries ahead of time.
6. Be Home, and tell your kids you want them to be home. Life gets busier and busier as the kids get older, right? One great gift teenagers can give their Mom on Mother’s Day is just a family day — with no other friends, errands, favors, texting, etc. Spend the day doing what your family likes to do — playing games, doing something outdoors, etc. Just having that one day to be together can mean the world to Mom. Mom & Dad — if you have meetings and such usually scheduled for Sundays, reschedule them so you can enjoy the time together.
7. Here’s a great gift for a teenager to give: Do your Mom’s chores, either that day or throughout the week. Having the laundry done, younger siblings’ clothes laid out, maybe helping make the beds, church clothes ironed, etc…I believe ALL Moms understand the love language of service!
8. Spend time watching home videos or looking through family photos. It is valuable to remember the together-times. Want to make it more interactive and creative? Re-inact some of those photos from long-times past. Pose the teenagers in the same positions they were in their toddlers pictures. Or make a new home video of you recreate a family memory of younger years (See Kid History on YouTube for some examples…and a good laugh)
9. Another idea for a teenager: Let Mom have some “Me-Time”, if that’s what she craves. If she likes to read, make sure she has a cozy place to read and her favorite reading material handy. Reassure her that for the next hour YOU are in charge and will answer the phone, watch younger siblings, etc.
10. Have your teens think about mothers that don’t have family around, including women that “mother” even if they haven’t had their own children. Can you do something that may help them know that they are remembered and appreciated? Check into nursing homes or maybe a hospital for someone who may really appreciate a visit and would otherwise not get one.

What ideas can you add?

*photo by Emery Co Photo