Even though the day is about mothers, single moms should not be shy about heading up the celebration with their children. There are several ways that moms can make the day special without making it just about gifts or accolades. The celebration can make the day meaningful for the children and mom.
Planning Ahead
Before the day, call a family meeting to talk with the children about Mother's Day. Share why it is important and special.
- If applicable, talk about what you did as child on Mother's Day.
- Discuss why this is a good tradition and what it means personally.
- Incorporate time with grandmothers (if applicable), but also have intimate time together.
- Ask for ideas from the children about how they would like to celebrate the day.
- Share what thoughts and offer other ideas.
Mother's Day Celebration Ideas
Single moms will have to carry the burden of the expense, so the idea or plan will have to fit within any budget constraints. Here are some ideas that encompass several different monetary commitments:
- Go to a nearby zoo.
- Go horseback riding as a family.
- Go on a hike.
- Spend the day at a nearby park with a picnic, frisbee, balls, blanket.
- Play boardgames.
- Fix a meal together.
- Go on a weekend trip.
- Go to an amusement park.
- Plan a day trip to the mountains, beach, or local attraction.
More Suggestions for Single Moms to Celebrate Mother's Day
Make the day even more meaningful as a family by leaving all the technology at home. If a car ride is necessary, instead of turning on the DVD player, inserting earphones, and burying heads into personal game consoles, insist on engaging on a personal level by talking and interacting. Sight seeing from the car can be fun and can make the time pass just as well as watching a movie or playing a game.
Also ask the children to turn off their cell phones. Text messaging, phone calls, and surfing the internet disengage the child from the rest of the family just as much as watching a movie or playing a game. This would also help other families because the child wouldn't be pulling another child away from his or her family by texting or phoning.
A Proactive Mom Prevents Despondency
Special activities with the children will make the day festive, could start a new tradition, and will help the single mom celebrate the day and create lasting memories. Although the children don't have a model to show them how to celebrate the day, the mom can proactively take charge in order to keep herself from feeling depressed and forgotten. As the children grow older, they more likely will take the initiative to incorporate their own ideas that will continue into adulthood.
Paula Wilder - Paula is a freelance writer and speaker. She also teaches developmental reading and English at Guilford Technical Community College. She ...
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