Every day as a pediatrician, I get to hear from a lot of moms (including my own) which brings me to Mother’s Day — a time to celebrate Mom for the special person she is.

I thought I would share with children and dads some of the gifts mom really would like to get for her special day that cost next to nothing but are truly priceless.

–

Some ways to celebrate Mom

–

On Mother’s Day, why not consider doing what Mom asks the first time she asks you to do it? That goes for Dads doing what mom asks as well, too!

While still not surgically possible, mothers would certainly enjoy having eyes in the back of their head, and while that operation doesn’t exist, every mom I know already has that talent.

¯ Consider giving Mom a coupon good for a “day off” for time to herself on the big day. If that’s more easily said than done, at least let her sleep in, serve her breakfast in bed and let her take over the remote control and pick the programs she really wants to watch.

¯ Institute a whine-free zone throughout your home that should be in place for the entire 24 hours of Mother’s Day and consider extending it beyond Mother’s Day.

¯ Mothers also tell me they do like gifts, but the homemade ones mean the most. Consider making Mom a certificate that names her, “World’s Greatest Mom” as a means of showing how much she is appreciated. Framing this so she can hang it up is even better and will last longer than any store-bought gift.

¯ Help with any chores or clean-ups that usually fall to Mom. This could include making beds (not just yours but Mom’s as well), doing dishes, or cleaning your room. Let her marvel at the fact that these are not skills that only mothers have learned, but ones that can be done not just by the children but by dad as well.

¯ Take Mom out for dinner and invite the grandparents, even the in-laws. This way everyone, especially Mom’s partner along with the children, can tell Mom they love her, hug her, and can tell her what a special person she is.

In this way, mothers will say wow (which is “mom” upside down) when it comes to showing her the kindness, concern, care, and love she deserves so that we can celebrate Mother’s Day not just on May 11, but every day of the year.

——

Lewis First, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. You can also catch “First with Kids” weekly on WOKO 98.9FM and NBC5.