12 Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day (Including Grandmothers and Other Caregivers) During COVID-19

Through all the stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, moms, dads and other parent figures have played a special role in helping kids stay resilient. (In fact, the single most important factor in a child’s resilience is having at least one stable and supportive relationship with an adult.)

So this Mother’s Day, as we continue to lean on each other and look forward to brighter days, take extra care to celebrate everything that moms and other caregivers mean to your child.

Here are ideas.

Mother’s Day at a Distance: Grandmothers and Mom Figures Who Aren’t in the Household

While we wait for everyone in the community to be vaccinated, it’s important to follow the CDC’s guidelines to protect your family from COVID-19 and its variants.

If that means your child will be celebrating a long-distance – or socially distanced – Mother’s Day with any parent figures who don’t live with them, from grandmas to stepmoms to aunts and family friends, try one of these ideas.

1. Top 10 virtual event: Have your child list the top 10 reasons their grandmother or another supportive figure in their life is awesome. Find photos, videos or keepsakes that relate to each reason, and plan a Mother’s Day show-and-tell over video chat.
2. Plan another video chat activity: From reading together to LEGO challenges, here are 23 more ideas, right from one of Connecticut Children’s developmental pediatricians.
3. Countdown to Mother’s Day: Each day for a week or so leading up to Mother’s Day, have your child send a small gift. For example: an e-card, a photo, cookie delivery, honorary donation to a charity, and so on. (Here are other care package ideas you can adapt.)
4. In your child’s words: On video, ask your child to tell you all about the person they’re honoring. Try questions like: What’s your favorite thing about grandma? What’s something she says all the time? What’s something she’s really good at? What makes her laugh? Be sure to include the bloopers reel.
5. Mother’s Day interview: Have your child come up with a list of silly, sweet and serious questions, then interview their person of honor. What were they like as a kid? What was their first job? What is their favorite place in the world? Any secret talents? Record the answers to keep as a piece of family history.
6. Love letter subscription: Buy or make a bundle of 12 cards, and have your child fill them all out with sweet notes, quotes or drawings. On Mother’s Day, mail the first card – and then send one every month for the rest of the year.
7. Kudoboard: Using kudoboard.com or another online sharing platform (ex. Trello, Google Drive or Slack), have your child pull together a bunch of messages, silly GIFs, photos and home videos that will make their grandmother or mother figure smile.

> Related: Need Ideas for Spring Break? How to Plan a Virtual Vacation With Kids

Mother’s Day in Person: Moms, Mother Figures and Other Caregivers at Home

Of course, all the long-distance ideas above apply to moms and mom figures right at home! And for more in-person inspiration, read on.

8. Cook up something special: Have your child prepare a treat for mom or another person of honor on Mother’s Day (it can be as simple as a breakfast smoothie) or plan ahead for quality time in the kitchen to make a favorite recipe together.
9. Dress for the occasion: It’s amazing how putting on fancy clothes makes a day feel special. Even if it’s just to gather around some Mother’s Day breakfast smoothies, have everyone dress their best. Take pictures!
10. Mother’s Day dance party: Invite your child to create a mom-themed playlist especially for the occasion and decorate a “dance hall.” This is a great way to get exercise and celebrate all at once!
11. Treasure hunt: Help your child hide presents with clues to guide mom or another caregiver to find them – or instead of clues, wind a long piece of string throughout the home, attaching surprises along the way.
12. Self-care day: Ask your child what they think would be a nice way for their mother or another supportive parent figure to relax on Mother’s Day: Taking an online yoga class together? Making a calming craft? Going for a nature walk? Teach your child the importance of self-care by planning a day that’s all about just that.

From our Connecticut Children’s family to yours, happy Mother’s Day!

Related links

• Mental & Behavioral Health Kit
• 4 Ways to Celebrate a Socially Distanced Baby Shower During COVID-19
• 14 Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Birthday During COVID-19
• 14 Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Graduation During COVID-19