Empting the nest or being an empty nester, you are a great mom who has been there for your children. Here are some ideas of how they can be there for you…go ahead and forward this list to them and your partner.
1. You drive and take her somewhere for a surprise. I would love if someone planned a hike that I have never been on; not three hours, not straight up. Bring water, snacks
2. New music loaded on iPod or for the car.
3. Enlarge a photo of us and hang it for her.
4. New coffee either beans or ground with a large thin cupped modern mug. Draw or write a note of love and roll it in the mug.
5. When you write a note of thanks and appreciation put examples of what mom taught you or ways she pops in your head as you are going through your day.
6. Make her a vision map. Cut out pictures from old magazines. You buy them at thrift stores. The pictures reflect things you know she is wishing for, new car, new career, clothes, vacation, patio furniture, garden, dance lessons, Photoshop teacher, etc. She will love that you get what she talks and dreams about!
You paste the pictures on poster board.
7. Fill a basket or bowl with quotations to inspire her days.
8. Schedule a makeover for her make up.
9. Set up her room with a meditation CD, candle, blanket , rub her feet or hands, ok that is a stretch for you, but just do it, and close the door so she can have a peaceful experience listening to the meditation about relaxing, better health, visualizing, etc.
10. Get her a trainer for a week
11. Seeds for her garden and a helper for the garden tasks, maybe a landscape artist to help her with organic garden and flowers.
12. Book on tape for walking or driving to work
13. Photo collage of times with you and write a sentence below each photo. You can copy the original photos .
14. Find a meditation, yoga, hiking, crafting, book club, etc. class for her. Write the schedule and tell her to choose one.
15. Folder of dream vacations to inspire her to dream big
16. Basket of food treats
17. Coupons of what you will do for her like weed the garden, car wash, market and cook.
18. Promise to email her for one week everyday about what’s up and what’s going on in your life so she feels the love, short and a surprise in the email that you come up with. You can commit to one week. After all, this is about what she wants, not what you want to do or don’t want to do. Gear up and do it!
19. List of what she has taught you, silly and for real that has helped.
20. How you are like her and oh how surprised you are about that news. How you want to be like her and don’t if you can make the don’t funny and not jabby.
21. Jewelry
22. Help with her computer and anything techy to ease her days.
Let me know how it goes for you giving to mom in new ways and in the traditions.
Do you already have an idea of what to do? SHARE it here in the comments so others can be giving.
Happy times together,
Natalie
natalie@emptynestsupport.com
PS – To my clan of MOTHERS, PLAN something for yourself, no matter what, all during the week and SCHEDULE it in on your calendar. Put FUN as number one even if it takes a little research of what would be fun for you these days, just do it. WRITE yourself a love note of all the GENEROSITY and CARING you have given over the years to your children. It is good to acknowledge your value! Read it out loud to yourself and keep that aloe Kleenex near by.
You, mothers, forget the sweetness of your heart and the openness of your hand towards your children, no matter how young or old they are. I want you to remember, always.
Much appreciation of you,
Natalie
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org
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