Dad Question - Idea for Mother's Day from Our Kids?

The best gift sleep, the opportunity to take a hot bath with out be bothered, the kids (with some help) making breakfast, the kids and hubby doing the housework that day, etc

Oh Ellasmama,I like that idea.
I got a necklace with charms shaped like little kids with little colored crystals in their bellies. We got one for my MIL for Christmas after the baby was born too.
My kids have made me breakfast in bed. Really, I would rather they make
breakfast for everyone and not bring it upstirs, I am not a morning person and cannot eat as soon as I am awake.
I love plants, they have gone to Lowe's and gotten me flowers to put in the garden.
LAst year they got me all sorts of seeds to plant in a veggie garden and a garden cart, new gloves and some pretty garden tools.
They always take me to a Mothers Day buffet, usually the O Club on base.

Thank you so much for caring enough to ask! When I told my husband Mother's Day was this next weekend, he was annoyed and sighed. It's pretty clear I'm in for another disappointing Mother's Day. I have never received anything that wasn't last-minute.

For me, I would love it if the kids did some art and he framed it for me. I would also love it if he got tickets to a play in the city, made dinner reservations somewhere and booked the babysitter and presented it as a "night out" package. Even just a "day off" where he'd watch the kids and I could go out shopping on my own would be super.

You're a good husband for coming on here and asking. I know I'm "wow'ed!"

I would LOVE a Mother's ring.

Another cool idea I did with my son for his grandmothers a couple years ago, was a painted canvas with my son's handprints on it.

We got a big-ish (not sure of the dimensions, maybe 20x24?) canvas, and I gave my son a bunch of different brushes, sponges, rollers, etc., and a palatte of acrylic paint colors that I had actually kind of planned ahead on what might match the decor of the person's home, and let him go at it. I made sure he covered the canvas with color, which he totally enjoyed. I let that dry, then had him dip his hands in white paint, then place his handprints on the canvas. Once it all dried, I sprayed it with a protectant spray. Write their names and ages on the back.

With 2 kids, they could each do one of their own, or they could do a nice, large one together and put both sets of handprints on it.

Let me tell you, they both LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this gift. They both still have their paintings hanging in their homes. Such a nice way to capture a little of their childhoods in both their artwork, and in seeing their little hands...

You know what is cheap and fun - all moms would LOVE it, it is called QUIET TIME ALONE - so arrange for that by taking the kids somewhere. If you have to splurge on her, let the kids make her breakfast, create their own cards and all of you serve her breakfast in bed.

Sometimes it's not about the gifts. Your kids are both old enough...make mothers day the day where mom doesn't have to lift a finger. Breakfast in bed or at the kitchen table with the family. You and the kids clean up breakfast the way mom would want it cleaned up. (I add that as a side note, because I'm anal about cleaning up and my husband and kids don't always clean up everything). Do the laundry for mom that day, clean the house, take her out to lunch or dinner her choice. You and the kids could plan a whole day just for mom and that can be her gift.
Good luck!

This is a girls club, NO DAD'S ALLOWED!! ;)

Totally kidding; I think it's great you're on here, how sweet!!

Anyway... this is what I told my guy that I wanted. A kindle (not happening, I'm quite sure), a full body massage by HIM, and I want to sleep in. OMG, please give me one freaking day to sleep in. Even an extra 30 minutes... mama needs her beauty rest!

I also DON'T want to see my mom or his mom... I know that sounds awful, but I've dedicated every mothers day I've ever had to spoiling everyone else. It's my turn this year ;) I'll call 'the moms', but I'm not doing brunch for anyone other than myself!

Have the kids make cards; handprints are my favorite :)

Good luck!

Not sure of your budget, but what about a Mother's ring?

Get her a roomba! My kids and I LOVE it! Other than that, how about making a book of vouchers for things like 'an hour in the bath with no interruptions', and the 'office being tidied', and 'Dad makes dinner' etc. These are great, especially for kids who have no money, but they only work if the giver is prepared to follow through! Good one dad for asking the Moms!

How about a picnic in the park. Let the kids plan it and just take Mom to surprise her. Take some kites, baseball gloves, bubbles etc... and just let her enjoy the day with the family.

AND you are welcome to be on this site.

My Sunday's from 8-2:00 or so are filled with making lunches for the next day, doing laundry, getting school clothes out and ready, giving the kids a bath, unloading the dish washer and so on. I have asked for a Sunday free of all of that. It's not hard stuff to do, I just don't want to do it for one weekend. Of course my husband said the kids will just stay home from School on Monday and I can do all my usual stuff Monday night! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Anyhow, maybe just have the kids make her a card and let her know that her day will be free of any normal mommy duty. If it's nice, maybe you and the kids prep dinner and BBQ, or take her out for dinner.

Bottom line, awesome that you are looking for unique ideas that you don't have to spend a ton on!

Make sure you mention to your lucky wife that you were thoughtful enough to Ask other mamas :-) very sweet !
I Also want to SLEEP IN - like Really sleep in, not just an extra 1/2 hour a good 2 hours of QUIET! Get up and take the kiddos OUT of the house (if you have a dog, bring them too LOL my dachshund barks A Lot) Give her alone time to sleep shower and pretty herself up for a day at the Park for a picnic with you all :-) I would Love that! I think home made cards and decorated bird houses from the kids would be Great !! And then a Fantastic BBQ on the deck with her favorite cocktail and her Not having to set the table, cook, clear the table etc. :-) HOPE YOU GUYS HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY !!

Make sure she gets to sleep in!
Make a nice breakfast for the family.
Get the kids out of the house for an hour or two with you so she has a wee bit of peace.
Take everyone out to dinner.

Cover all the basics that she usually feels responsible for--get the kids up/dressed/etc. kind of stuff.

Go out and do something together as a family. Sometimes the best gift is a happy memory!

Good luck!

How about a flowerpot with their handprints on the side or one of those garden stones? Or someone mentioned a mothers ring or a Pandora bracelet with something memorable from the kids. If you have a great picture of the 2 kids you could have it put on canvas at Kodak picture gallery. I did it for my mom and it came out great.

Well you can send any unwanted spa packages my way! Lol.

I'm weird and I like practical things that I have wanted/needed. Clothes shopping, new undies, jewelry, a ped-egg (lol), etc.

Last year my kids made me cards and coffee mugs that they decorated. I really liked the cards, but don't drink coffee, so the mugs were cute, but not practical for me.

My kids and husband go shopping pick me out perfume.. love it such a treat.. whole made cards. Flowers from the grocery store I think they are beautiful. A coffee card.. whole made breakfast. Sees candy. Or jewerly if in budget.. I got a necklace last year so no expensive jewelry for awhile. You are such a thoughtful dad!

Like a lot of mamas have said. A day to Relax.

You could also go to a craft store, buy some canvas and have them paint her something. Could be awesome wall art for your home.

Pretty much everything Denise P has said ahah.
Sounds like a good day to me.

I personally think its fine for dads to be on here. Nice to see you care about your family and aren't afraid to ask for help. :)

I would love to get picture projects from my kids, but hubby isn't good at that kind of stuff. If your kids are 5 and 7 and you have access to photos, I would suggest putting a little scrapbook together. Doesn't have to be fancy or perfect, just take the kids to the store and let them pick out the stuff and put it together with your help. walgreens and walmart both have digital scrapbooks that you can put together, all you have to do is upload the pictures. This is something that I have always secretly wished for from my kids. :)

You have already gotten some wonderful ideas. I love the idea of selecting and planting a tree, also of having the kids make garden stones.

One of my favorite gifts ever was a silhouette of my son. There was a kiosk at the mall and a woman was cutting out silhouettes freehand. It was beautifully matted and framed and continues to hold a place of honor in our living room even now, many, many years later.

Something else that ended up being sweet was when they chose a scented bubble bath and candle and gave me that. Every time I took a bath or lit the candle they knew they had given me something special and felt a sense of pride.

I get homeade chocolate chip cookies in bed for breakfast each year and love it! My husband and sons make them together while I sleep late. :) I also get various gifts, but the cookies are fantastic! Often I get pajamas because I love, love, love pajamas. This year I've hinted at a gift certificate for a massage because I haven't gotten a massage in awhile and I would love that. My husband is a good shopper, and he always involves our boys so that they will be good husbands/fathers someday. They are 7 and 13 now.

My kids used to always bring me breakfast in bed-fruit and English muffins, easy and not too much food. They are all teenagers now so who knows what this year will bring!?
At my request my husband started a charm bracelet-James Avery-with nothing but heart charms. Every year they go pick out new heart charms to put on the bracelet. I have two full bracelets now which is nice since I have two girls!
Last year I took the two girls out of town to our cabin and no one did anything and it was a LOVELY Mother's Day because I am like the other mom. It's my day and I don't want to run around taking the other mom's and m-i-laws to lunch or dinner. It was peaceful and quiet and no chores to do.....
This year-after having to plunge the potty and clean up the bathroom floor one time too many in the last few months-I told all three kids that the only thing I want is a new toilet in their bathroom upstairs. A GOOD toilet, not some cheap builder's toilet like we already have. I'm out of town until next Sat so we'll see what happens!
And.....my all time favorite. FLOWERS!!!!! Get me peonies and lots of them and I would be a happy camper.
Good luck. You can't go wrong-you've taken the first step and asked for help BEFORE Mother's Day eve. You rock!!

I love that there are Dad's on here asking questions :)
One of my very favorite Mother's Day gifts was a tree! Yes, a tree!! I had been wanting a Japanese Maple for our yard so my hubby and boys went and bought one for me. We had a very nice lunch and spent the afternoon planting our new tree. It was one of my most memorable M.'s Day.
Also, every Mother's Day weekend the "plant lady" down the street has a big sale. I get to go and spend $ on whatever flowers I want for the year and bring them home then we plant them together. My boys love helping and it's a great family project.

Yes and yes! It's great that a dad is on here! Last year, my husband let me sleep in and they all served me breakfast in bed with a centerpiece that the kids made. They snuggled in bed with me while I ate. It was truly the best gift ever. Then, my husband sent me off for a massage and I went shopping for a couple of hours alone. When I got home, we all made dinner together and my kids gave me another massage. It was quite cute! He also did all cleaning, bathed the kids and put them to bed. Ahhh....a day off. I actually felt really guilty about it.

This year, dad's going to pack up a picnic and we are going hiking together. I just want to spend time with them. You could also consider starting a charm bracelet for her. Every year contributing something special to the charm that reminds her of your children. I would like something like that. I know you don't want a necklace but I would also like a necklace with my kid's names or initials on it. That's just me. You are a great dad to plan ahead!

Of course it's ok, we love hearing from Dad's!

Personally I love getting home made gifts, and the old standard breakfast in bed. Also it's nice to get a few hours by myself for a nice long bath
or just some quiet time, reading etc.

I would love to have my husband and kids do (or buy) lunch for me, put on a very beautiful table WITH flowers, everything ready and that I do not have to move a finger to set up / pick up the table or clean. Important the food is super good and dessert included, a real treat of a special (do not have to be expensive) dessert.... I love key lime pie or a nice cake.

I bought for myself (that I think could be a great gift) a coupon... groupon.com (50%off) for 3 hours of professional house cleaning.

Is so nice that you care to give your wife something that she will really like!

One of my favorite gifts is a candid picture of my husband and two kids in a beautiful frame. I used to keep it at work on my desk, but now that I am a stay-at-home mom, I look at it everyday on my dresser. Love it!

Oh, and sleeping in and breakfast in bed...the bomb! A picnic in the afternoon would be great too. :O)

I either want an iPad 2 or, more realistically, to sleep in for a couple of hours and when I finally come out of the bedroom, I walk out into a sparkling clean house.

I'm SO glad you posted! But instead of asking US, I would ask your wife! And then get her what she asks for - no matter if it's not your ideal gift. You can come up with a clever twist to make sure the kids are involved as well.

My ideal Mothers Day - I would love to be able to sleep in for once, wake up to find the kids dressed and fed, then shooed off to go shopping for the day and come home to a clean house, laundry done, and dinner on the table. Essentially - a day off. Your kids chipping in on housework and cooking can be their gift, at 5 and 7 they should be able to handle a lot of the chores. I think most moms don't want or need more knick knacks. They want to feel loved and appreciated....sometimes the best way to do that is to let them rest!

One year my husband slipped off and ha his sister help him paint the palms of our kids hands, make prints on a colored paper and the frame it in a really pretty frame. I LOVED IT!!!!!
They also sell garden stone kits at craft stores where you could make one for her with the kids hands or foot prints in it. Hope that helps!
Good for you for asking :)

My favorite alll-time gift from my kids were homemade cards.
Write down a question and the kids answer. I have 30 years of
this kind of memorabilia. It doesn't get old.
Dad: What is your favorite dish that Mom makes?
Dad: What was the best day you spent with Mom?
If you could buy anything in the world for your Mother, what would it be?
What could you do/say today that will make Mom laugh/feel good?
You really, really like it when mom ____________
Mom really likes it when I _____________
Good luck.

How about a pretty robe and slippers? Though a word of caution I have a satin tie front robe and it doesn't stay closed. So wearing it right out of the shower, with nothing under it becomes an ooops. But it looks and feels nice to wear.
Going out to dinner, Mother's Day and Easter are the busiest days for going out for breakfast.

The day of sleeping in is my preference. If you go to church and that won't work, then let her pick a couple hours to go back to bed after church. Then help your kids clean out the kitchen cabinets and wipe the shelves and put everything back in order. Or pick a closet that needs organizing, bathrooms that need cleaning, laundry that needs washing, or whatever will give that WOW impact when she comes out. Give her a book (if she loves to read), some magazines, or a movie if you have a DVD player in the bedroom, if she is not the napping type, so she is not tempted to come out before you are ready.

Breakfast in bed, lunch delivered to the sofa, her favorite dessert, etc. Don't let her lift a finger all day. I love all the things that my kids have made for me. Go to Michael's or some place like that and let your kids look around. They are sure to be inspired. Remember, it doesn't have to look perfect - that's the fun part when I look back years later. It was something made with love. Things with photos are also great because they probably have changed from last year.

Way to go, dad!