Mother’s Day 2021
Share with us @tryverima or comment below your favorite Mother’s Day Gift you have ever given or received.
Last year Mother’s Day 2020, I wrote about what moms really want for Mother’s Day. . . and to think at that time, we honestly thought we had been in the pandemic for *so long*. I still stand by all the points I mentioned, but this year got me thinking what are some practical ways families can celebrate Mother’s Day that fills mom’s bucket and leaves her feeling loved, appreciated and refreshed?
The 2020-21 school year highlighted just how much moms do, and just how much we rely on moms to fill in all the gaps when it comes to family and especially families with young children. So, my approach is two pronged. First, a list of ideas of things we can do to spend the day with Mom, without actually making more work for mom. (So yes, a huge mess in the kitchen to scramble a couple eggs is not going to work unless there is a clean-up plan that follows it). Secondly, a few weeks ago we discussed time-saving hacks for busy moms, and fellow Verima moms and I discussed our favorite time saving gadgets. So for those of you who want to give mom a gift she’ll actually appreciatively use (think less, “here’s a vacuum for you to clean with” and more, “here’s a vacuum that will clean for you”), I’ve attached a list of our Verima team’s favorites that buy us precious minutes throughout our week.
Take a Hike
Plan the destination and have the kids lay out their things the night before. Sunday morning, dad/partner and kids can pack up (or pick-up) a picnic lunch, and with no complaining, no lost shoes or hats, no asking mom where X is, we hop in the car and then go for a family hike. The day is about mom, so be mindful of what she may like for lunch and take note whether she prefers beaches, mountains, rocks, or forests. It’s a win win because the whole family spends time together, everyone gets some exercise and mom doesn’t have to cook or do dishes.
Plan a Bike Ride to a New Restaurant
A few weeks ago, my husband found an outdoor restaurant garden that he thought we would like. The entire family biked 7 beautiful winding miles there, enjoyed a delicious lunch and then biked the 7 miles home. Everyone was tired (good tired!), fed and relaxed. In fact the kids enjoyed it so much, we did the same ride again last week. Bonus points because they now love riding their bikes to destinations so we get exercise and family time.
Create Art/Color Together
I lack talent when it comes to drawing, painting, sculpting. . . . but I enjoy it and I find it soothing. Problem is most moms don’t have the time to sit down and engage in it, and then we dread the clean up involved. This doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. My kids love when I just sit next to them and color. I have a friend that will buy a roll of craft paper, tape it to a wall in the kitchen and together draw, color and paint a mural together. Buy a canvas paint hands and feet and make prints together.
Write a Book Together
For young children, you can interview them to have a keepsake memory of their answers. What do you love about Mommy? What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? What does Mommy do each day? How does Mommy take care of you? What would you do if you were a Mommy?
For older children, ask them to write about a day or moment that they remember being happy with mom or their favorite memory with Mom, and what was it about the moment that made it so special?
All children can then illustrate their books. We will love spending that quiet time with our kids, while also gaining insight into what is important to them as well as taking a snapshot of what they are like at this specific moment in time. That said, if you prefer, all of the above can be captured on video and edited together to make a sweet keepsake to watch.
Plant a Garden, Tree or Flowers Together
This one is another gift that keeps on giving. Family time spent outside, beautifying your home helping the planet and/or growing your own vegetables, flowers or herbs. My children love our garden plot and will weed, water and pick with zero complaints. And when they are done gardening, the will continue to happily dig and play in the dirt. This way, each year you can see your tree grow/bear fruit and your flowers bloom.
I hope some of these ideas help you find a fun and bonding way to celebrate moms this year. I especially love the last three since they can be done with grandmothers as well. In fact, I think for my own mom, she would love a small letter from her adult daughter telling of a favorite memory with her either from my childhood or adulthood. Or if you and the kids showed up at your mother-in-law’s with some pretty spring flowers and a few tools to plant them by the mailbox or front door.
And as promised, just in case you live too far from your mom or mother-in-law, or if your love language is gifts, here is our much awaited list of our favorite time saving gadgets. I would love to hear back from you, the best Mother’s Day gift you’ve ever given or received.
Instant Pot Ultra 60 Ultra 6 Qt 10-in-1 Multi- Use (I just need the 6 quart but I know it comes in 8 Qt)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y1MP2PY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_7B80Y5RN2B2PHP1T65BG
Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum and Mop, Multi-Floor Mapping
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BC1RJRV/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_63SNXVVF48DDVAZTM9SR
Cosori Air-Fryer
COSORI 14-in-1 Smart Large Air Fryer Oven XL 7QT with 6 Accessories (there’s smaller versions … but I love to that the XL can fit a while chicken!)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L39951F/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_WT2CMQEDVDDM3CDQV0Y8
HomeSoap UV Sanitizer
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z9NZHBR/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_Y6TPZ0725GYGSN0XRPJR
Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PPP7MQ/ref=twister_B07WW2KDP2?_encoding=UTF8&th=1