I want to wish every Mother and Mother’s to be a very special Mother’s Day! Enjoy your day!

This is my little handsome 4 yr old holding a gift he made for me at Pre-K.
Can you see how proud he is? I love it!

Kristy Woodby 
Mothers Work At Home ©2009
No content of this site may be republished without authors consent.

School crafts are just as special as a bought gift. I actually prefer something the kids made for me.

Over the years, I have received quite a few gifts that were made from school. Most of them made it home while the rest came in pieces. (This can happen when the kids stick the gift in their backpacks.)

For example this is one of the gifts my 4 yr old made this year in Pre-K. I thought it was the sweetest paperweight I have ever seen. He was so proud of it too. “I made it myself, Mommy! It’s for you!”

I’ll keep it forever.

Kristy Woodby 
Mothers Work At Home ©2009
No content of this site may be republished without authors consent.

Mother’s Day: What Moms REALLY want.

Yes, Mom still likes the annual card. The flowers or candy are OK. But, what is it that Mom REALLY wants?

“I hear the same two complaints over and over,” says Annmarie Kelly, author of Victorious Woman! Shaping Life’s Challenges into Personal Victories.  “They’re ‘no one appreciates me’ and ‘no one appreciates what I do’.” Annmarie, who presents workshops on motherhood burnout, says it’s because Moms do all the mom-jobs, including cooking cleaning, chauffeuring, social organizing, problem solving and more and do it so seamlessly and under the radar that no one really notices. “All the Mother’s Day cards and gifts in the world don’t make up for how dismissed and unimportant Mom feels the rest of the year,” Kelly warns loved ones.

This year, Kelly suggests, make this Mother’s Day one your Mom will remember all year long. How? “Get out of your world and into hers,” Kelly explains, “and do it in a way that shows her that she is special to you and is valued to the family.”

Kelly gives three gift suggestions that will make her Mother’s Day mean love – and last all year long:

Time. First, pick one job that Mom does regularly and take over that chore – permanently. It could be cleaning the bathroom each week or taking Mom’s aging mother shopping once a month. Next, figure out how much time it will take, e.g. twenty minutes daily for cleaning dishes and kitchen after dinner. Then, ask her to pick a “me-time” activity, like reading a book or calling a friend. Finally, follow-through (really do the job consistently) and follow-up (make sure she’s taking her me-time).

Appreciative Attention. Instead of depending on the card and gift industry to tell you when to honor your mother, start a new ritual called Mom’s Personal Day. Pick one day a month – or even every other month. Mark it on your calendar and hers. Plan something special to let your mother know she is valuable a part of your life.

Based on her interests and age, your Mom might enjoy a mother-son brunch, an afternoon at the beach or a museum, a mother-daughter shopping trip or simply a loving visit from you where she is the total focus of your attention. Find out what she would like best, and do it for her. Windfall: you’ll be making memories with Mom that will stay in your heart long after ordinary trinkets would have lost their luster.

Stress-Relief. What’s the one thing you do that stresses Mom out? Is it being defensive or argumentative? When she needs your help, are you always busy? Whatever that one thing is, stop doing it. It won’t take away all Mom’s stress, but every little bit has an impact. Bonus: the effort will build your character – and that will please Mom even more!

Make this the year your Mom feels seriously appreciated – all year long. May your Mom have the best Mother’s Day of her life!

©Annmarie Kelly2009. All Rights Reserved.

Who says you can’t find a genius gift for half the price? We found plenty of cheap thrills that any Mom would love — 20 under $20! From whimsical finds to the season’s stylish must-haves, you won’t be disappointed with our list. Don’t forget Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10.

When searching for the perfect present, it is commonly known that a beautiful floral arrangement is never a bad idea. However, this year, instead of randomly buying a boring bouquet, choose a flower in a color that may mean something to her.

Orange flowers, like these orange roses, symbolize confidence, life satisfaction, and passion. If she is full of energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, this bouquet is for her.

Lavender florals are perfect for girly-girls as the color is the ultimate in femininity. This wonderfully smelling lavender florals expresse grace, elegance, and delicateness.

Blue flowers are perfect for the high-strung, as they have a calming effect on the recipient. Gift her with blue irises that offer feelings of peace and serenity.

Peach petals express gratitude to a woman who is also a best friend. Peach petals represent gentleness and appreciation.

Red flowers are always a beautiful gift, symbolizing respect, courage, strength, and love. If you choose to go with the beautiful color of red, go traditional with red roses, which symbolize loveliness.

White bouquets represent silence and secrecy, though white flowers also are a sign of purity and innocence. Consider a bouquet of white lilies to represent the reverence you have for her.

Purple blooms, with their ties to royalty and wealth, are best for women who consider themselves to be the queen of the household. Purple arrangements will colorfully convey your admiration for her lifetime of success.

Pink floral arrangements send the most appropriate message of all: thank you. Pink azaleas are amazing to express grace, happiness, and fun.

Yellow flowers offer lightheartedness to the recipient and will fill her with joy and happiness. Brighten her mother’s day with these yellow flowers that bring sunshine night and day.

Burgundy blooms are perfect for the woman who is beautiful but doesn’t seem to know it, as they signify unconscious beauty. Burgundy blooms will hopefully help her see her true colors.