More of this Feature • Part 1: The Power of Mom • Part 3: Lunch for the Mom of School Kids • Part 4: Dinner for the Mom of Grown-Up Children

Join the Discussion "What do I like on Mother's Day? I like to be pampered, showered with thoughtful gifts and taken out to dinner." Nat511

Related Resources • Mother's Day Links

From Other Guides • Gifts for Mom • Mother's Day Clip Art • On Mothering • Mother's Day x 2

Elsewhere on the Web • Celebrate Mother's Day

More than anything else the mother of tots needs uninterrupted time. How we use that time may not even be as self-indulgent as taking a bath (although that would be nice.) No, we need time to feel like we're accomplishing something more than preparing and cleaning up after the next meal. Time to get the house a little bit cleaner and more organized. Time alone to think things out that have been on our mind. 

It would be nice to have time to tackle creative projects we've been wishing to complete such as redecorating a room, completing a scrapbook or writing a story. It would be great to have a few hours to read a few chapters in a book without sticky fingers tugging to be taken outside to play.

Actually it would be nice to have some time to enjoy our own kids as their grandparents do. That means without the responsibility of worrying about their needs or the household. Without having to be the bad guy that sets their boundaries all day. Having the time to just enjoy them for the little gifts they are before they grow up under our noses while we're too busy doing things to notice.

We would not look down our noses at a gift certificate for a manicure, a bottle or our favorite bubble bath or a little charm with our children's names on it. If any mom needs some pampering, it's the mom of tots who literally gives her body along with her heart to her children. A gift certificate for a date with Dad would be another welcome treat, especially if arrangements have already been made with a babysitter.

Finally, moms love those little homemade creations that come from their children's hearts such as cards, vases made from pickle jars, and pictures to hang on the refrigerator.  Flowers that were picked in the garden before mom was up in the morning are sure to make her smile. And breakfast delivered in bed by those sweet, little faces and chubby hands will be the tastiest breakfast all year.