As Mother’s Day approaches again, it’s a reminder that the later phases of motherhood sure have some great benefits! You no longer have to fret over those early developmental milestones, registering for the “it” activity before it fills up, or navigating your kids’ schoolyard drama.

But just because your babies are no longer babies – maybe they even have babies of their own – doesn’t mean you’ve stopped mothering your kids. And, if you have grandchildren to dote on, you know how special it is to watch your children grow into a parent themselves, and of course, how much fun it is to spoil those little ones!

Honoring Moms on Mother’s Day

Whether your children are still at home, live nearby or have truly flown the coop, the bonds of motherhood withstand any distance or dimension. This is true even of our own mothers, who may or may not still be with us. And if you are part of the “sandwich” generation, caring for children yourself and your own parents, you may be pulling double duty this Mother’s Day.

All mothers deserve recognition and gratitude for the sacrifices they make and the steadfast love they share. For ideas that go above and beyond, here are some extra special ways to honor all the moms in your life – including yourself!

If your child is a mom:

• Take her out to lunch or go for a walk together. Swap tales about what being a mother means to each of you, and how it’s different these days than it was when you were starting out.
   
• Share stories of the matriarchs of your family. She should know the family history and how generations of moms influenced where you both are today.
   
• Offer to babysit the grandkids so she can enjoy some time for herself, her partner or her friends. You reap benefits too, getting alone time with the little ones and instituting “grandparent rules.”
   
• If your grandchildren live far away, arrange a time to do a video chat “babysitting” session, allowing her to have some quiet time while you occupy the kids. You can arrange to watch a movie together, hitting ‘play’ at the same time and pausing together to share an anecdote, take a quick break and discuss the movie afterward.  

If your mom is still with you:

• Visit her. Older adults are at risk of being lonely, so doing something together – anything – can help keep them feeling connected. You don’t have to do anything elaborate or expensive. Just talking might be enough or playing a board game or cards to pass the time. Even watching a favorite television program together or listening to music are good activities.
   
• Give her a call if she doesn’t live close by. Many of us catch up on our phone calls while running errands or cooking dinner, but resist the urge to multitask and have a call when you can be fully present with her. Ask her what’s going on in her life, recount a special memory, or better yet – get her advice on something you’re dealing with.
   
• If your mom is hard of hearing and phone calls are a real challenge, send her some pretty flowers or a colorful postcard to brighten up her space. Include a heartfelt note to let her know just how much she means to you.  

To honor yourself on Mother’s Day:

• Do what you love. This is your day, and you should spend it however you like. Maybe it includes a delicious meal, a favorite activity or fitness class, some time with family and friends – whatever makes you happy.
   
• Write your memoirs. You don’t need a literary agent or book deal – simply capture stories from your life on paper or on the computer. Try to remember tales that were both momentous and ordinary – anything that future family generations may find interesting. It’s important for people to know their histories, and having a written version is easier to share and less likely to be distorted over time and with retellings.  

No matter what stage of life you are in, how geographically close you are to your mother or children, Mother’s Day is a time to connect and pay tribute to the moms in our lives.