Happy Virtually Stay at Home Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day 2020. This certainly wasn’t the Mother’s Day I was expecting this year with South Florida at the moment still under Stay at Home orders. I can promise you that I won’t be heading out to my favorite brunch spot on Mother’s Day or maybe getting pampered with a pedicure at my favorite nail spa.

Just because we are stuck at home does that mean the whole day is a wash? Absolutely not! Here are some ideas on how to make your “Stay at Home” Mother’s Day as good as it can be considering the circumstances.  We have also included some virtual suggestions so if grandma is far away (or you can’t visit due to risk of spreading illness) you can include her into some of your plans to celebrate!

1. Throw a (Real or Virtual!) Tea Party

The weather is perfect for an outside tea party! Sandwiches are also easy for  family to help assemble and treat you to lunch! Don’t forget little desserts as well. If grandma is away, you could send her a tin of cookies and she can join you on facetime or zoom too! Make tea even easier and order High tea to go from Serenity Tea Garden (SOLD OUT!). Learn more about their Mother’s Day tea special at www. serenitygardentea.com. They will be doing curbside high tea but please order as early as you can as there will be limited High Teas available for pickup.

2. Make Art together 

Want to make a gift with Mom or paint something for Nana or Abuelito? 

Order online: Picasso’s Creative Workshop, https://my-site-103984-108964.square.site/. Pick up your kit using our no contact curbside pick up at studio or free local delivery. You can make it ahead of time or paint it together on Mother’s Day.

3. Flip Through a Custom Photo Album

Go through your photos and head to a site like Shutterfly to create a custom photo album highlighting favorite moments together from the past year—think family vacations, birthday parties, holidays, and more. If you need something for a grandmother that is away. Order a copy for yourself and grandma, then flip through it together in-person or on the phone and relive those blissful times. (Besides, aren’t extra photos of grandkids exactly what she needs right now?)

3. Have Dad Fire up the Grill  

Maybe you aren’t a “tea and crumpets” kind of mom and more “beer and barbecue,” Have Dad do all the work and fire up the grill and you can sit back with a laid-back lawn party. If you don’t have a pool to relax in you can get a cute inflatable adult size one (see page 6) cool off in the backyard, enjoy some sun and have your family take care of you all day! 

4. Treat Mom to a Meal Out

Everyone should get a break from cooking on Mom’s special day. Whether it be breakfast or brunch, lunch or dinner, “take Mom out” for a meal at her favorite local restaurant that’s offering local pickup or delivery.

5. Breakfast in Bed

First off, let mom sleep in! Seriously that is all we want. then when she wakes up start off Mom’s special day by ordering up a tray full of her favorite breakfast goodies and having them delivered right to her bed.

6. Explore the Great Outdoors

Get the family moving with a hike or a bike ride (but make sure to maintain social distance from others) local parks have now re-opened and they have some great local trails to explore. Pack a picnic or snacks for afterwards or take a break mid-trail.

7. Spend Time in Her Garden

Visit the local nursery and have Mom pick out some new flowers or vegetables for her garden, then help her plant them when you get home. Pitch in with weeding or watering while you’re at it—she’ll appreciate the gesture.

8. DIY Spa Day

Do you usually send mom to the spa for Mother’s Day? Create a spa experience at home for her. Let her enjoy a relaxing bath (maybe purchase some new bath bombs or or order detoxifying bath salts).  Purchase her a new robe to wear. Indulge in an at-home  facial, including a peel, a hydrating mask, and a face massage, or maybe even an at-home mani-pedi, the day is filled with opportunities for self-care.

9. Zen Mom

For the spirtually in-tune mom, why not join a zoom yoga class together. Order mom a new oil diffuser and fill the room wth soothing scents and take in a family yoga session together.

10. Make a pizza and settle in for one of her favorite movies

Who doesn’t love a movie night? Buy some pizza dough (or make it from scratch) and have your kids add the toppings to whip together a gourmet pizza that you can nosh on while taking in one of her favorite flicks (or two)! Maybe put on of your favorite movies from your childhood to share with the kids. (After all it is your day and you get to pick! Disney plus will be airing the classic movie, The Princess Bride starting start May 1.)

11. Sing and Dance the Day away! Are you a mom that loves to sing and dance? Have a Karaoke session with your family. Set yourself up with a home karaoke machine and let the fun begin. Add other family members via Zoom for even better laughs. You could also have a Dance competition on your gaming system or with games like Dance Charades (on amazon).

12. Put Together A Care Package

Can’t visit your mom? Send a care package to Nana. If she is local you can even drop it off curbside. Think of the things your mom loves most and throw together a care package to send her. If she’s a movie buff send popcorn, candies, and her favorite DVD; if she likes curling up with a good book send her one of your favorites and a box of tea; if she could use some more relaxation, a candle or soft blanket will be much appreciated. Add in some framed family photos or other sentimental items for a personal touch.

13. Tech Mom Out

We have all been spending more time at home and while at home we are probably on some kind of electronic device. Maybe it is time to UPGRADE MOM with the latest technolgoy. A new iPad, tablet or kindle, a new apple watch, AirPod or wireless headphones to listen to music  (even better noise-cancelling headphones so she can tune it all out) or a blue tooth speaker. Mom might appreciate a new apple watch or fitbit to help her count her steps. Maybe it is time to upgrade her cell phone to the latest model. We are all using techology to stay connected and informed. 

PB Parenting hopes that your Mother’s Day is the best it can be given the situation. However you decide to spend your day, realize that this is temporary. Hopefully soon your family can spoil you more at a later date with a meal at your favorite restaurant or pamper you with a spa day or a night out with your friends. Personally I am looking forward to a meal that I don’t have to cook!