What Do Mothers Really Want?

 

“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made Mothers” – Jewish Proverb

 

Sunday is Mother’s Day.  The day we lavish Mom with the best Mother’s Day gifts ever.  In addition to flowers the most popular gift ideas include jewelry, perfume, sweets, clothes and gift cards.

If the amount of money spent was the measure of our love, then take a look at these figures.  In 2012 we spent over $18 billion dollars on Mother’s Day gifts.   According to the National Retail Federation we will top that figure this year. 

A Look at the History

Anna Jarvis, like her mother before her, envisioned a memorial day to honor mothers.  Even though she never had children of her own, she made the celebration of a Mother’s Day her lifelong mission.

In 1907 she launched a letter writing campaign imploring politicians, clergymen and civic leaders to institute a national holiday for mothers.   After seven years of unrelenting advocacy her efforts paid off.

On May 8, 1914 President Wilson signed a resolution establishing a national Mother’s Day to be celebrated on the second Sunday in May. 

What Mothers Really Want for Mother’s Day

So what do mothers really want?  Hint:  It does not come with a price tag.  We have birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and other holidays for all of those expensive gifts.  

When our Mothers were asked this question, this is what they had to say:

·         A recent poll showed that nine out of ten mothers wished their adult children would call them.  Spend some time with Mom reminiscing about the good times.    Recounting happy memories that bring smiles.

·         In another poll 43% of Mothers said they wanted sentimental and handmade gifts.

·         Mothers of small children would enjoy time off from being a Mom.   To be served breakfast in bed - without having to clean up afterwards.   

·         Other mothers would enjoy time alone to relax in any way they see fit.   Someone else can take the children to the park or to the movies for a couple of hours.

Anna Jarvis was upset by the way commercialism took over Mother’s Day.  Her vision was a day for mothers to feel loved, appreciated and cherished.   In her own words, “I wanted it to be a day of sentiment, not profit”.  Most mothers would agree that is what they really want for Mother’s Day.

 

What was your most memorable Mother’s Day Gift?

 

End Your Weight Loss Struggles

BAMVP - Be A More Vibrant Person In 2012!

B is for Breath. Periodically during the day put the to-do list on hold. Take a moment to relax and recharge by focusing on your breathing. Slow, deep breaths from the diaphragm relax the muscles and flood the body with renewed energy. Make a daily commitment to BAMVP in 2012 and rediscover your joy of living!
___________________________________________________________________

End Your Weight Loss Struggles

"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other". --Author Unknown

Is your resolution to lose weight in 2012? The same weight you lost in 2011 and 2010? Why can't you make that weight loss stick?

*Dawn had the same question. For three years she resolved to lose 10 to 15 pounds to jump start her weight loss program. No diet was off limits. Low fat. Low carb. High protein. Even all liquid, all cereal, all cabbage soup. And each year she lost those 10 to 15 pounds. Unfortunately, when she started eating normally the weight came back. With an extra pound or two for added measure. Help!


Eating to Relieve Stress

Dawn slowly realized that dieting was not a permanent solution. And until she understood her compulsive need to eat it would always be a temporary fix. Dawn is a single parent with sole responsibility for raising her two children. Juggling parenting, household, commuting, a job she hated and a boss insensitive to her unique needs left her exhausted and frustrated by the end of the day. The stress was making her fat because food, and plenty of it, kept her company during the long, lonely nights after the children were put to bed.

Finally fed up, literally and figuratively, Dawn turned to BAMVP techniques to help her relax and eventually get control of over eating. She found that writing down the troubles of her day gave her peace of mind. And she spared no punches in her private journal letting her real feelings out! Using words she dared not say out loud, especially to her boss was freeing. Dawn found less need for food when asserting herself this way.

Permanent weight loss is no longer a struggle for Dawn. The need that drove her to compulsively eat has been replaced.

*From the book, "When You Need a Timeout".

Note: BAMVP Be a More Vibrant Person - see 11/2/10 post.