Ideas for a Single Mom with a Young Son to Make Mother's Day Special

What about something like making a mug or other keepsake? You can go to Michael's and get craft kits if you don't want to go to a place where you paint pottery (although a mug with his handprints might be awfully cute!). Then you could do lunch or something.

Depending on your budget, here is what I suggest:

Start the day by going out for breakfast. Next, stop by a nursery and let him choose some nice flowers or herbs. Also, you could pick out a few pots for them to be planted in and soil. Then, you can plant them together and will be able to watch them grow over summer..

I really liked the other mom's ideas for a picnic and pool.

Another idea would be for you to take a camping trip over the weekend.

You might also see if another mother and child pair wanted to team up for an afternoon hike or dinner.

This might be stretching it, but you could head down to the Monterey Aquarium.

Happy Mother's Day!

How about going to a pottery studio and decorating something together? Not sure if there's one in your area or if they'd be open on Sunday, but you could do it a day early... I did this with my 4 year old and she loved it. There were 5 and 6 year old boys in our group and they loved it too.

How about a picnic with a special mothers' day cake? Have a lovely day!

He can make up a song for you, plant a tree together, write a letter to him about what you love about being HIS mother or a grateful list about him, make a list of little chores he can do and make it fun so he feels like he's helping you and hopefully it actually does: )

For yourself, if you can hire a babysitter for a bit around the day, just some time for you to reflect on your awesomeness as a mom!!!!

I really like the idea of a day-long date!

Spend the day with your son at a zoo, park, hiking, ball game, go-carts--whatever you & he like to do together. That was you can teach him that giving himself (his time) is the BEST gift to give.

I have two ideas and can't wait to hear everyone else's ideas...just because children really do want to do special things for not only mom, but their grandparents, friends, etc. It helps to show them it's nice to do things for other people.
1- a friend of mine had an ingenius idea of having a party with all friends who have kids, and set up different craft ideas, and the parents helped the kids make "surprise" gifts for their parents. Ex. I helped Molly make a pretty bracelet out of yarn and beads for her mom. Molly's mom helped my son make me a pretty frame.

2- give him $20-$30 and let him take you out for a "date". A movie maybe? ice cream at the park? Let him pay and pick the location and schedule. I bet you'll end up having a wonderful time.

good luck!

I am no longer a single mom, but I was once. It was just me and my daughter until she was almost 9. When she was 5 we started going to tea on mother's day. I know you have a son, but he still might enjoy going to tea with you. I know when my now 2yo son is old enough I will start bringing him with my daughter's and I to tea on mother's day. Another idea is maybe to the movies or a favorite diner. Make it a date for just the two of you. Last year since my son was only one (and my husband pretty much works every mother's day), I took all the kids to the public pool (was the first weekend here that it was open). Or, maybe he would enjoy a play. See what your local theater companies have in right now. Maybe a children's theater even.

Have your pictures taken, go to JC Penny or one of those fun dress up places and get a memorable picture. That would be a great memory of who you both are now. Go for ice cream or do "make your own Sundaes" at home. Ask him to write you a poem or a letter, it would be a priceless keepsake. My first thought was a picnic but I read that some one else suggested that. Maybe let him be in charge of making the sandwiches and putting everything needed in the picnic basket. Have him make up things that you both have to do that start with each letter of Mother. Like for M, you can Make a cake or go to the Mall, or instead of calling each other by name call Moo. etc. Just something fun.
Good Luck

Do you have a relative or good friend nearby who could help him make a plan for you? If so, talk with that person about some things that might make the day more enjoyable for you, then let that person take your son for an afternoon and help him to prepare your day. Kids love to surprise their Moms, so this would be a way to give him that chance.

J.:
Don't you feel so blessed and wonder how your little guy got to be so smart?! My older son used to do the very same thing for me when he was that age and ask me the same question. I told him the fact that he was aware enough to give me breakfast and make my day special, anything we did together, even if it was the very same stuff, or just going out to the park was perfect for me because he already did what most MEN still have not figured out as his father and other men I have dated then and now which is.... not to be selfish and think about the other person in your life. What I can honestly say about your question that bothered me is the statement "but it would be nice to have a special day for Mother's Day without feeling like it was just another day".
Excuse me?! Your son is opening his mind and heart to you and telling you he loves and cares about you for taking care of him (and doing it alone right now too). He is aware your day is coming up and the fact that he is showing you more giving than an ordinary man would should automatically make you realize - it doesn't matter whether it is Mother's Day, Father's Day, Xmas, etc., I have a son that wants to give rather than be selfish so ANYTHING he does for me will and should automatically make the day special.
For me - I would love to be able to sleep in past 7am just once. My current boyfriend (father to my 4 yr old now) always tells me I can sleep in on the weekend (I work, he doesn't) and when the weekend comes guess what - I get to sleep in sure, until 7:15am.....
Good luck and whatever you do remember you deserve to be happy and love your son for giving and caring about you!!
Happy Mother's Day too!!

aww...your little question & responses made my eyes well up...i'm a single mom too and have a little boy. he's 2.5 so he doesn't quite get it yet obviously, but i was telling my aunt the same thing about sunday...that i didn't wanna make it just another sunday. :)
the whole sentiment is so sweet & our boys are so sweet...i just HAD to say something on this one. :)
i hope you have a great mother's day w/the BEST present ever!

What would you like to do is what matters. Going to the zoo or somewhere fun is what he wants for you. Pick a fun place. Monterey Bay aquarium, shopping think about what you want to do.

Happy Mothers Day to you

Have fun.

N. Marie

Good question! My son and I are in the same boat. No idea what to do. I can't wait to read all the responses!