Involving the Children in Mothering Sunday
What is Mothering Sunday if it was not for children. After all isn’t it the fact that women have children that makes them the mother? Unfortunately young children do not always understand the importance of their role in making this day a special one of their mothers. It is up to the dads or other family members and close friends to take a little lead here and show them the way.
Young children may even be excited about the approaching of Mothering Sunday and the ones old enough to understand that this is a special day for the person they love above all else is exciting for them. They may become confused or anxious of what they should be doing or what is expected of them to make this day special.
Children want to buy mums gift; sure the little ones may not be so clever when gift selecting, but when dad or their second favourite adult goes shopping for this gift they could direct or encourage with a little gentle manipulation towards just the right gift. Be sure to let the children know that they made the right choice. It is a fact that absolutely anything a child buys for their mother will be cherished, if you are dealing with particularly clever or hard headed little ones, just smile and treasure that moment, before long these wonderful child moments will be over.
It is most important that you allow the children to select or make the card themselves. The little ones don’t care that they can’t read, and if it happens to say? “merry Christmas” Mum is only going to love it more.
Children love making mum breakfast on Mothering Sunday. I do not need to paint you a picture of some of the more interesting breakfast results here. Certainly you should be there in the kitchen to guide them, little ones can butter toast, and sometimes there will not be any holes in it. If mum enjoys her tea or coffee, simply measure the coffee and sugar into a separate container and let the children think they did a great job putting the right ingredients for the perfect cup of coffee together themselves.
Children would also love to make mummy something special for Mothering Sunday, certainly there are the traditional drawing and paintings you could ask them to do either before or on the day to keep them occupied, but do keep your craft options open to the making of hand prints in plaster, or painted hand prints on canvas.
Mothering Sunday is the perfect time to teach children the real meaning of love, “It’s beautiful to tell someone how much you love them, but it’s even more special when you show them”. Mothering Sunday is Mum's day off, so is the perfect time to encourage children to get involved in a few of the house chores; this might include anything from vacuuming the rugs to washing a few dishes and that ever important picking up the toys.
Certainly children gain a real sense of achievement when they have done something so important for someone they love.