Last minute Mother’s Day planning? We have some tips from our own Honey Girl Organics moms to help.
A holiday for all moms
As Mother’s Day comes, I’m building with this steady excitement. This will be my first Mother’s Day as a mom, not just a daughter. My child may not be able to say “Happy Mother’s Day” yet (or any coherent words for that matter) but it is still exciting; like a rite of passage. I’ve had moms (total strangers, mind you) come up to me in supermarkets asking if I need help with my crying baby, moms wanting to show off their own baby, and of course the endless stream of questions about my child: Oh! What a cute boy! Boy right? How old is he? What’s his name? Did he say any words yet? Is he walking yet? Is he eating well? Are you breastfeeding? Where did you give birth?
Total. Strangers. In line at the grocery store.
So I know I’ve been accepted into the secret not-so-secret society of motherhood. As a new mom I was nervous that moms with three or more kids would judge my parenting styles, but it has been quite the opposite. I’ve received overwhelming support from my mom friends and mom strangers. I won’t say that motherhood has been a breeze because of this, but it has been so helpful.
We’ve all come from somewhere, and she if often called Mom. A mother can have many different names, from Grandma, to Aunty, to Older Sister, or even Dad! For me, I was raised very heavily by my Nana, and I always remember her on mother’s day. Whatever form your mom comes in, we want an opportunity to show our love and appreciation. In all of my own excitement on being a mom, I almost forgot to plan something for my own mom! Which has inspired this list of last minute ideas that will show your mom how much you appreciate her.
Home Spa Day
Mom’s are on their feet a lot throughout the day, whether they are working, cleaning, cooking, or chasing children around. If you want to pamper your mom without spending too much money, an at-home spa day is the way to go. If you took advantage of Honey Girl Organic’s Mother’s Day discount, great! You and your mom can relax with a facial using the Face & Eye Crème, Night Crème, or Rejuvenating Mask. You can give her a foot rub with our Foot Balm, or a back rub with The Lotion. The products are very versatile yet luxurious. Every time I open one I feel like I’m at the spa, even though my house is a mess. My mom and my mother-in-law love them, so I know you can go wrong with an at-home spa day.
Adventure Day
If you have a more outdoorsy mom, take her on a spontaneous adventure. Maybe there is a hike or a beach that hasn’t been explored yet. Go sightseeing and play tourists in your own city. Maybe take her to her favorite shopping mall for a new outfit. Go eat at that restaurant that she loves but you don’t. Or make a picnic, and have a relaxing day at the park.
Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts are tried and true, even as adults. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated. A simple handwritten card will do if it comes from the heart. Every year my mom wants a card along with a picture to hang on her wall. I write a little note on why I love her and give her a picture of me and my sisters, but this year it will be a picture of her grandson. You could also cook or bake her something delicious using her favorite flavors. If you’re crafty, you could do a DIY gift such as string art or making your own bath bomb. Don’t worry about getting overly zealous, your mom will love whatever you put your name on.
Get to Know Her
A lot of us know our mom, but do we really know her? Before you were born, she had a life, her own parents, and her own experiences. Over coffee or lunch, have a “mom interview”. Ask her questions about her life before you were born. What were her hopes and dreams? How did she react when she knew she was pregnant? How did her life change? She can share with you parts of her life that you weren’t in, and you can learn about your own history.
We were inspired by mom interviews. In honor of Mother’s Day 2019, we wanted to learn more about our own hard-working mamas at Honey Girl Organics, so we interviewed them. These questions are great for asking your own mothers in addition to whatever burning questions you may have. Feel free to use this as a template. Your mom may be pleasantly surprised you’re so curious! Our mamas are so awesome for doing this, and they loved sharing stories about their kids. Here are some of their answers:
Which children’s book did you read to your kids?
Lisa: “Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown”
Amber: “Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton, Happy Valentine’s Day Mouse by Laura Numeroff”
Was there something that your parents did when you were a kid that you swore you’d never do yourself?
Jerilyn: Make them eat food that they didn’t like, like liver and peas. I still don’t eat peas.
Is there a moment that radically changed the way you saw the world?
Jerilyn: September 11, 2001. I always felt we were safe in our country. When I was a kid, I used to ask my day why war was “there” and never “here.” On that day I understood. My son was ten at the time and he was deeply affected by it as well. For a long time he didn’t want to be alone. Both of our world-views were altered.
What was the first year of motherhood like for you?
Lisa: EXHAUSTING!! The most rewarding experience ever, but SO EXHAUSTING!
Jerilyn: Joyous...and exhausting.
What advice would you give to new moms?
Lisa: Enjoy every single moment. They’ll be 22 before you know it. Also, sleep when baby sleeps!
Jerilyn: Dishes can wait, cleaning can wait. Spend as much time with your children as you can.
Amber: Take your kids on as many spontaneous adventures as you can. Go for a walk in the woods, watch the sunrise and sunset. Take a road trip to find the best cookies. Enjoy every moment and most importantly, smile and have fun. Show them what the world has to offer.
Any favorite or funny memories of your kids?
Amber: At Costco, they were playing James Brown at a speaker demo when Leila was three. She began dancing to “So Funky” in front of everyone and we ended up getting a free speaker because the demo guy said “it was made for her to dance”.
Jerilyn: One time Dylan called 9-11 and I didn’t know it. I was also a smoker back then so I used to cough a lot. The sheriff pounds on my door and I answer. He looks frantic and confused, “Did you call 9-11?!” he asked. I said no very confused myself, but I admit that I saw Dylan playing on the phone and he must have called. He says, “I heard someone coughing!” And I say, well that was probably me I cough a lot. He gave me a stern warning about letting my kids play with the phone. Who knew they’d actually dial 9-11!
Any Inspirational Mom Quotes?
Lisa: I heard this one that really resonates with all mothers, “Being a mother is learning about strengths you never knew you had, and dealing with fears you never knew existed.” It’s not really a quote but I also want to add that, you don’t know what your own mom’s life is like until you become a mom. Then you can fully understand what she went through. So when you have a hard time with your own kids you can reflect, wow my mom did this?! And it deepens your connection with her.
I hope that this post has inspired you to go out and spend some well-deserved time with your own mom. If you still don't know what to do, ask her! As a new mom I've already fantasized about ways I want to relax when someone is babysitting Axel. She will appreciate the thoughtfulness of actually wanting to do something she wants. You may end up cleaning the house for a day, but she's got the other 364 days covered.
From all of our Honey Girl Ohana to yours, we hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day.
Written by Tiffany Shelton
