Purposeful Parent Tip:  Relish the day with your children.

It’s almost Mother’s Day. Children everywhere are busying themselves with trying to find the perfect gift for their special mom. Little ones are creating treasured arts/crafts projects, while older ones are trying to figure out just what to get on their limited budgets. But is it the gifts we receive that will make the day memorable?

I’ve had the pleasure of having fourteen Mother’s Day celebrations with my children. Each year brings something new. When I was married, my husband would pick out a lovely piece of jewelry or flowers from the children. Today’s gifts are slightly, shall we say, less “manufactured” and are comprised of things like homemade cards, pictures, coupons for hugs and kisses or, my favorite, breakfast in bed.

My first breakfast in bed experience was interesting to say the least. The first surprise was that both of my children worked together to bring it to fruition. I had my trusty bowl of cereal awash in a gallon of milk, a steaming hot cup of coffee that I still don’t know how they made the way I like it. And the best part…they entered my room (at an ungodly hour for Mother’s Day!) with broad smiles on their faces knowing that they had accomplished a real feat.

We chatted for a bit but then they left so that I could have my coffee in “peace and quiet” as they said. After a few minutes however, I realized that it wasn’t peace and quiet I wanted as I drank my Mother’s Day coffee, but rather the company of my two children who had worked so hard to give me a bit of down time which they both knew I desperately needed.

I called them back into the room and we sat on my bed and talked for a bit. Soon after, the busy-ness of the day took over and it quickly became “Kid’s Day” once again. (I mean really, did I think I was going to get a WHOLE day just for me?!)

This Mother’s Day – at least a part of it – my daughter will be away on a Girl Scout trip. It will just be me and my son for a good part of the day. What will greet me that morning? Will it be my favorite cereal? Will it be a cup of coffee? Or will it simply be me and my son sharing a moment of “peace and quiet” together.

No matter what the day turns out to be, or what “gifts” I get, I’ll treasure it always because without my two children, I’d not have this day at all.

Wishing all moms a wonderful Mother’s Day. May you be blessed with a few moments of “peace and quiet” and may you always be surrounded by love and smiles from your children.