8 Ways to Delight Your Mother

One way to delight your mom is to plan a special day for just the two of you. 

• Do what she wants to do. 
• Shop, browse the farmer's market, go to lunch, go on a picnic, walk, hike, go to a ball game, hit the garage sales or go to the animal shelter and play with the pets.
• Be sure to take lots of pictures to help you remember the day. For ongoing delight, share the pictures with your mom in a special photo frame or album.

Most everyone loves a surprise, including moms. Have her block out a few hours on a certain day; but, don't tell her why. Do something that she would love...something that matches her interests, for example, go to a cooking class, flower show, a movie or a play.

If mom prefers to stay close to home consider making a special surprise meal for her:

• Make it a special occasion by adding pretty dishes and flowers
• Serve some of her favorite foods.
• Consider inviting some of her friends with whom she might want to spend her special day. 

Moms love to have a phone call. She'll love a call on her birthday or on Mother's Day; but, she'll probably love a call any day as long as it's from you.

For a particularly meaningful call for her, be sure to make the subjects of the call be about her:

• Ask her how she's feeling. 
• Ask her about her day. 
• Mom's love to hear about their kids and grandkids; but, try your best to focus the conversation on her.

One very special phone call can be for you to say thanks for something she did or said. Take the time to say "Thanks!" It will delight your mom.

Special dates like birthdays and special anniversaries are important to almost everyone. They tend to be particularly important to moms.

Moms spend a lot of time and effort making sure that the special dates of their family are remembered. Don't forget to remember the dates that are important to her.

When you give mom a gift, remember that most moms will appreciate anything they receive from their children.

The gift doesn't have to be expensive. Instead, concentrate on giving something meaningful. Some ideas include:

• a gift basket that reflects one of her interests like spa soaps and towels or gourmet cooking utensils and sauces
• coupon books for favors/activities
• a picture of you and your mom
• a framed favorite family recipe
• a photo book of things or people who are particular important to her

The key to a successful gift for mom is to make it personal.

Moms typically spend a lot of time cooking for their family. To have someone cook for them might be a very welcome relief.

• Consider making her the traditional breakfast in bed. It combines two things moms like - a surprise and starting their day with their loved ones.
• Sometimes finding a food surprise in the fridge with a special note from you can be just what you need to do to make her day. 
• Consider making her a big salad or a casserole that she can eat whenever she wants.
• Moms with a sweet tooth will certainly appreciate receiving a cake, or cookies and brownies.

Sometimes you need to build a few bridges in order to get back in the good graces with your mom. This might include apologizing for things you have done wrong or things you have said.

The key to finding a starting point to delight your mom might be to take responsibility for your actions. This will help strengthen your relationship and will help your mom feel loved.

Sometimes the easiest way to delight your mom is to let her feel involved in your life.

• Tell her what you are planning for the future.
• Describe the challenges that you are facing.
• Tell her you value her opinion.
• Ask her how she handled something similar.

It is also important that mom knows that you care about her life.

• Ask for her memories.
• Ask her how her life is going.
• Find out what she sees as the challenges in her life.

The more you and your mom share your feelings, the closer you will become.