MOMania

By new mom

May 8, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

We did the shutterfly books at Christmas, and everyone loved them! I’m not into scrapbooking, so those photo books are a great way to put together something professional-looking without having to be crafty.

I am trying to refocus my gift-giving on giving things that are truly fun and useful, and not just another thing to take up space in our lives unnecessarily. (we just had a garage sale, nothing like a clean-out to help you realize how much JUNK you have!)

For my mom, my baby girl and I spent a day recently and took her shopping for new clothes, something she rarely if ever does for herself. The experience was fun (it felt like an episode of ‘what not to wear’, and I even told her her butt looked good in a pair of jeans. that was priceless!) We bought several of the items for her and called it mothers day. She’s getting a lot of enjoyment from the clothes, rather then me picking out something she might not wear, and have it just hang in her closet. Or giving her another ‘thing’ for the house, etc. We also did mother’s day cards, including one from her baby granddaughter, with her ‘signature’ where we put the pen in her hand and moved the card around. Mom will like that more than anything!

For my mother-in-law, we gave her restaurant gift cards. She loves to go out to eat, and since we rarely see her, it’s hard to know what she’d like.

As far as what I want, at the risk of sounding cheesy, I already have her. To get up everyday and spend it with our daughter who I thought we’d never get, that’s the best gift ever. But in case anyone out there needs some ideas, I would like some more boxes of those ultraslim hangers from bed bath and beyond to continue to redo my closet…. ;)

Speaking of our baby, I think I hear her waking up…bye bye for now, everyone!

By Judy

May 8, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Both my mom and MIL need some new summer clothes so I bought each of them 5 new, bright, t-shirts.

As for my kids, they pooled their money to order me some expensive flowers and I said NO. Pick some up at Sams instead. Save your money. I asked my 9th grader to make me a new CD for my car and my 5th grader to draw me a picture. I am blessed with a great family and life is good. I don’t need another expensive necklace or diamond earrings to make it more true.

By JJ

May 8, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

I told my daughter I didn’t want anything. (But I may treat myself to a pedicure). I don’t need a special day of the year for her to show her love to me. She shows it all year long, and tells me she loves me almost every day. No present could top that.

The same goes for my mother. She hates going out to eat on Mother’s Day. All she wants is a card. So I sent a card, with a Visa gift card in it. She lives close by, and I see her every other weekend, and talk to her on the phone several times a week, And I say “I love you” all the time.

We don’t need a “commercial holiday” to show our Mother that we love her. She knows she is loved.

By Davona

May 8, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Since my mom is blessed to have most everything she wants or needs, I’m giving my mom ME! I’m taking her to a NICE place to dine and spend the day with her. She loves jewelry and if we can find something to suit her fancy, I’ll get it for her.

By Thor

May 8, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

My mother died a few years ago, however she never wanted anything more than a card. She and my father both viewed Mother’s Day/Father’s Day as a made up holiday generated by the card and floral industry to boost sales. I realize this will not sit well with the majority of people, but Mother’s Day in my family is pretty much disregarded as propaganda from business. A $1.98 card with a hand written note would surfice.

By Davona

May 8, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

For my MIL, we used stamps, stickers and markers and made magnets with sweet expressions on them. We signed them and put them in the mail!

By new mom

May 8, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

I agree that we don’t need a fancy commercial holiday to express our love—we’d be really messed up if we only told our moms we love them once a year! But I do think it’s nice to have a special day to do special things with your family. It’s only as commercial as you want it to be, and can be as special as you decide to make it.

My experience has probably made me more excited about this holiday. While we were trying to have a baby for 8 years, mother’s day was honestly the hardest day of the year for me (that, and each time I got a negative test) I think that’s what makes this Mother’s day even more special to me. Its the time spent with family that will make it special, not gifts (well, the hangers will help! HA HA)

If you know a couple who’s trying to get pregnant, try to be sensitive to their feelings around mother’s day. It can be such a painful reminder of what you don’t have, and desperately want, when others seem to have children so easily. :) And I think most folks just don’t think about how hard it can be on couples who are trying. (the same thing goes for father’s day!)

By Jesse's Girl

May 8, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

I’m with Thor….I feel the same way about Valentines’s Day. If they must get me a gift, how about I do no laundry for a day?!

By JJ

May 8, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Mother’s day is also hard on people who have recently lost their Mom…..

I agree with Thor…

By new mom

May 8, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Absolutely, JJ, mother’s day can be a heart-wrenching day for many reasons. My mom lost her mother several years ago, and still misses her greatly (as do we all) Until our daughter was born, mother’s day was really hard on all of us. Even more reason to celebrate each other every day, and, as a former pastor used to say during funerals, “give each other the ‘flowers’ (meaning love!) while we are alive, instead of waiting til they pass”.

Does anyone remember the tradition I grew up with, where you would go to church wearing a red rose pinned to your shirt if your mother is living, and a white rose if not? I haven’t seen that in while, I wonder if that’s still done.

Can I pose a question too? What are some gifts have you given your mother that are more ‘experience’ gifts rather than objects, and what have they really loved? I’m always open to some new ideas! (I had to change the subject before I start crying…)

By fk

May 8, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

We’re going to renew the house cleaning service for my mom. My parents still live in the same house they bought in 1952. Maintenance is too much for my parents, but they don’t want to leave. Plus, my dad doesn’t get around that well anymore. So, since there are ten of us, we chipped in and gave her a big check last year, to cover a year’s worth of house cleaning. Most importantly, my sister found the cleaning service and checked them out. Getting them to allow a stanger in was a major obstacle. It is the best gift we’ve ever given her. She wasn’t ready to accept a gift like this until last year. We had tried many times before.

By Scoutmamma

May 8, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

We woke up Monday morning to a wet kitchen floor - and realized that our refrigerator had died. I knew then what my Mother’s Day “gift” would be. What really happened was that my 4 year old genius had played the controls and turned the freezer to defrost and the refrigerator completely off. And - I had just bought groceries the night before. Alas, we lost everything to spoilage. But, once my husband realized that the refrigerator was fine, we were thrilled! We’re only out $100 or so on food, but luckily have saved a small fortune by not having to get a new icebox. Hmmmmm - I wonder if we can direct that money towards Tiffany’s and get me something sparkly in a pretty little light blue box with a white bow…..NOT!

By FCM

May 8, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

We got word that my Aunt’s Lukemia is back and there is nothing more they can do. Right after this I heard like 4 Mom Day commercials in a row. My grandmother passed this spring….right now the family faces the first Mom Day without Grandma plus the news that 2 cousins may not have their mom next year….Life is tough!

My mother always asked a day where her kids did not try to choke each other to death or otherwise do injury to each other….Now I know why!!! I would like a day without an eye-roll, a “muuuuuther!” or them asking me to referee their fight.

Otherwise, if its nice maybe a walk around the park or if its icky…a movie with a big bowl of popcorn.(Yes, the kids should be there for either).

By new mom

May 8, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

How do we have innapropriate comments removed?? I mean, please….

By Theresa

May 8, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

it’s off!

By Theresa

May 8, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

FCM - having a tough year —- Michael lost his mother when he was in college — he’s like you would be so lost without your mom — we rely on her so much — Lost most of my grandparents when I was young so don’t think it affected me the way it does when you’re older

Hopefully you can still have a good day

By new mom

May 8, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

I like the walk idea, FCM, and the movie idea. I agree, the kids should be involved in mother’s day stuff! At least I think so (but don’t worry, we won’t be bringing our 7 mth old to a movie theater any time soon….) And sorry to hear about your aunt. There’s no time of the year that it’s OK to get that kind of news, but it’s especially hard around a holiday of any kind.

and thanks for removing the yuck, Theresa, there are some crazies out there!!

By Teacher's Kid

May 8, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

NewMom: One “experience” gift I gave my mom for her birthday this year was to take her to see the play “Peachtree Battle” at the Ansley Park Playhouse. I mentioned to the theater owner that it was her birthday and the cast mentioned her name in the play! That and the complimentary wine they provide you as well as dinner with the family at the Fortune Cookie Chinese restaurant at Loehmann’s Plaza off of Briarcliff Road made for a birthday she REALLY enjoyed! The tickets for the play are VERY reasonably priced and the play is a HOOT! Anyone who has seen the “Veranda” series (another FUNNY series of plays from the same playwright) will recognize the grandmother who played the role of “Momma” in “Veranda”.
This year for Mother’s Day (actually in early June), I’m treating mom to a trip to Montreal, where she’s always wanted to go.

By new mom

May 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Teacher’s kid—that’s a great idea! I’ll have to keep that one in mind :)

For father’s day, my mom and I are going to plan an outing to a braves game for all of us, as the gift to my hubby and my dad. And if we’re feeling ambitious, maybe tickets for the two of them to catch a ga tech football game this fall. (boy I hope he’s not snooping on this blog today—if so, honey, get back to work!) ha ha

By JB

May 8, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

My mother’s home was recently burglarized. She wasn’t home and they were quick…they just took all her jewelry. So I hosted a jewelry party for her. It is like an experience gift because we had so much fun, and when you host a party you get free jewelry, so she got a bunch of new stuff. She really had fun picking out what ever she wanted. Everything arrived this week and she loves it!

By Becky

May 8, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

I agree with Thor..I lost my Mother 18 yrs. ago,so if you still have your Mom with you, cherish her as much as you can..

By Vicki

May 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

This will be the first Mother’s Day after my mom passed away this past July. My husband and I are planning to take our two boys and place some fresh flowers on her grave. She always loved colorful flowers.

By Angela

May 8, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I was going to send my mom one of those edible arrangements b/c flowers just die and she loves fruit, plus they look really cool.. well turns out they are close to $100 so I am going and buying fruit, cutting it up, using food sticks and making my own edible flower arrangement to give to her.

By Lucia

May 8, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

I send my mom and MIL floral arrangements. The florist knows my mom and will make something extra special. Cards from me and the girls will go in the mail tomorrow.

By JJ

May 9, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY EVERYONE!!!!

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up puke laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, ‘It’s okay honey, Mommy’s here’.

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can’t be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON’T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football , hockey or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, ‘Did you see me, Mom?’ they could say, ‘Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn’t find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read ‘Goodnight, Moon’ twice a night for a year. And then read it again. ‘Just one more time.’

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls ‘Mom?’ in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home — or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they’d be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can’t find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation…

And mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us.

Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.

Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.

‘Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.’

By Thor

May 9, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

My mother never placed an emphasis on Mother’s Day. It’s an over-rated holiday which never ment nothing to her. A lot of women love this day, they really go bonkers for it. My mother if she were alive thought women who emphasized this holiday were not for her… A simple card, thats all. Then move on.

By DYJ

May 9, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Before I could even think of sending my Mom anything she told she didn’t want anything except to go on vacation. My family (8 adults, 1 spoiled grandchild) are all going to Maui at the end of the month. We all get our wish! As a Mom, I would love a pedi and massage and maybe even a movie.

By FCM

May 12, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

I have a beautiful handmade card from my little one. The eldest wrote on an magna-doodle board! Priceless….both of them!

My parents helped the children get me a gift. A beautiful necklace to match the earrings they gave me for Christmas. Also a g/c to a favorite store…I am saving.

For my Mom, I got a card, which I handed to her at my house. She said, “I do not even want a card, you don’t have a job/money so I want nothing.” She put the card back on my counter….Heheheh I told her I would just save it and give it to her next year! I couldn’t ‘top’ my brother anyway…he is getting her a new daughter-in-law—the announced their engagement at Mother’s Day lunch.

Mom does want a family portrait. So we will all get together in few weeks to make that happen.

I have not seen Diedre_NC in awhile…did she get the offer?

By FCM

May 12, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

@Theresa—yes, it’s been a tough spring…however, as a Christian you understand that I do not walk the Valley alone. Plus, one of my favorite sermons (about 5 years back) said that when your in the Valley the good news is that you have no place to go but uphill! :o) These times will pass, I will grow from it, life will move forward.

I am sad that Michael’s mother has passed (even if it was years ago). I know there are times I look at my children and think “Grandmother (who died in 1995) would have loved to do the tea party/shows with these two.” I believe that that she (and Michael’s mom) do know their grandchildren though.