Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this has been a good week for you. Every year, it seems that the time between Spring Break and Mother’s Day goes faster and faster. Blink really hard, and school will be out. With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, I hope you’ll have a chance this weekend to spend time with your mother, stepmom, mother-in-law, foster mom, or adoptive mom. Be sure to let the mom in your life know how much you love her.
Quote of the Week: “A mother’s arms are made of tenderness, and children sleep soundly in them.” –Victor Hugo
Book of the Week: Although motherhood is a beautiful and sacred thing, sometimes moms are pushed to exhaustion. I came across a book by Bradley Trevor Greive called The Incredible Truth About Mothers that uses humorous animal pictures to convey the distinct aspects of raising children. It’s a great tribute to the loving nuances of motherhood.
Joke of the Week: Or maybe this is a fact…Nothing is truly lost until Mom can’t find it.
Nugget of Wisdom of the week: Every year before Mother’s Day, my daughter asks me, “Hey, Mumsy, what do you want for Mother’s Day?” And every year I panic, mainly because I don’t know what to tell her. The older I get, the more I realize that stuff does not make me happy. I am allergic to flowers and on the edge of having to give up my scented lotions. If that sounds anything like your mother, I am sure that she would enjoy a nice handwritten letter telling her how she has been effective in showing you love or support, or in providing advice you actually appreciated. Maybe you could offer the gift of watching her favorite movie with her. You don’t have to spend money to give us moms a nice Mother’s Day. Find out what household chore she hates the most (mine is dusting) and do that job for her. She would be thrilled if you surprised her with her favorite meal, or a slice of something her sweet tooth cannot say no to.
At their best, mothers give of themselves without hesitation. This can be overwhelming, especially if her family is a big one. Hug your mom often and tell her you appreciate everything she does…even when she needs to hold you accountable for breaking the rules. No mother is perfect, but a mother’s love is sincere. Happy Mother’s Day.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to all of the mothers who are going above and beyond to help their children become people who will change the world for the better. It takes a lot of energy to keep our families going. Laundry, grocery shopping, and other daily tasks often seem endless. Kudos to those who pay attention to the small joys and teachable moments in the lives of their children! You are making a difference, both for your own kids and also for other children they meet or might even bring home.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.