7 Ways to Celebrate Moms (and Dads) This Year – Imagine fifty people all standing in a room together. Ask each one how they feel about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and you’re likely to get roughly fifty different answers.
Some (honestly, probably the minority) have strong, healthy, loving relationships with the people who brought them into this world. Others have more complicated stories. Perhaps their parents are no longer together, and there is some tension. Maybe a parent has passed away, or they don’t have a relationship with one or both of their biological parents but consider someone else to fulfill that role in their life. See what I mean? It’s not straightforward.
If you’re someone for whom Mother’s Day and Father’s Day typically provoke a stirring of emotion (or even just stress about what gift to buy), here are seven ideas for how you can c, and you’ll likelyelebrate these days, your way:
If you live close to them. Do you remember what you got your parent for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day last year? My guess is that you probably don’t (you might remember the mad scramble to find something before the weekend, but that doesn’t count). Unless you have an idea for a meaningful physical gift, skip the present this year and instead schedule a special activity that you’ll be able to look back on fondly for years to come. This doesn’t have to be something particularly grand; take them out for coffee at their favorite café, make a meal together, or go see a local concert or theater performance.
If you don’t live close to them. Do the same thing as above, but on FaceTime! Ask if they can set aside 30 minutes to have a virtual coffee or tea with you. Rather than catching up on the goings on of life as you might usually do, ask them questions about their own childhood or the experience of becoming a parent. You might be surprised about what you learn.
If they are no longer with you. It can be difficult to see people posting photos of their loved ones on social media if yours has passed away. Though the day might always sting a bit, see how it feels to lean into your emotion and spend time with the people who knew your parent well: maybe their surviving spouse or partner, their friends, or your siblings. Sharing stories is a great way to keep their memory alive and continue to celebrate them for years to come.
If you don’t have a relationship with them. Though you might not have a relationship with your biological parent, it’s possible you have someone in your life that you consider to have that role. Ask whether they would be able to spend part of the day with you, or give them a phone call or write a letter to let them know how special they are to you.
If you are a parent. Who says you have to wait around for your child (especially if they’re young) to take the initiative to celebrate you? Take Mother’s Day or Father’s Day as an opportunity to reflect on what being a parent means to you and do something nice for yourself. Maybe that means going out on a date night with your partner (or just yourself!) on Saturday night. Perhaps it’s setting aside an hour with your journal and a favorite beverage to reflect on your journey of parenthood.
If you have a parent-like relationship with someone. Maybe you couldn’t or chose not to have children yourself but are a (biological or honorary) aunt, uncle, or godparent to someone. These holidays can be a great nudge to spend time with those kids and let them know their importance in your life.
If you know someone whose children can’t be there. Mother’s Day or Father’s Day can be a great prompt to spend time with the people in your life whose children might not live nearby or who are no longer part of their lives for various reasons. If you don’t know anyone personally but want to make a difference, take the opportunity to volunteer for a local organization or nursing facility that serves the community.
However you choose to recognize the important people in your life, challenge yourself to make this Mother’s Day and Father’s Day one to remember.
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