6 Ways To Show Mom Appreciation All Year Round

It’s 5am in a small village in the North West Province of Cameroon called Wum. A young mother is waking up to start her day. She lights up the bush lamp and goes out to ease herself in the toilet behind the hut. She goes on to quietly put on a blouse and wrapper after making sure the kids’ breakfast (fufu and vegetables – left overs from last night’s dinner) is heating up on the low wood fire in the room. Gently, she shakes the oldest child on the shoulder, whispering a reminder to be out of bed in an hour and off to school on time. She eases herself out of the room, closes the door behind her, hoists the farming basket unto her head. Murmuring her morning prayers, chewing stick in mouth, she heads off to the farm, some 25 miles away.

She is just one of millions of mothers all over the world gracefully taking on another day, their world centered around nurturing and caring for their families. She will spend the rest of the day working and worrying about loved ones. She will make sure clothes have been washed, drinking water fetched, the house has been cleaned, dinner is ready,  and she will help the kids with homework before she lays down to rest for yet another early start tomorrow. She is mommy.

Today as the world celebrates Mother’s Day, at DUNIA we can’t help but marvel at these majestic, loving, caring, strong, gracious, precious women whose roles … and general demeanor are so similar across the world. As the world dedicates this day to mothers, loving and appreciating them, let’s remember that the work they do is all year round.

Here are 6 ways to show appreciation to mommy all year:

1. Thank you

Let her know how much you appreciate all she does. Acknowledging her efforts (past and present) automatically bring on beaming smiles. So much can be said with just those two words. ‘Thank You’ from a child means “mom, you did a great job with me, and I appreciate you. You are wonderful. I love you. You are the best”. Don’t hold back, tell her as often as you can.

2. You are beautiful

Yes, you are! Every mother is beautiful – she carried you in her womb for 9 months, raised you, cried for you, worried about you, ran around helter-skelter for you … she sure is the most beautiful queen on the planet … not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. Compliment her constantly.

On a personal note, growing up, I always felt my mother was the most beautiful– regal, dependable and loving. Today, it is not uncommon to hear my boys saying, “mommy I love your hair”, after a manicure, “Mommy, I love your nails.” My daughter of course, keeps her eyes on my outfits, “Mommy that is cute. Did you just get it? You are so pretty!”

Every mother deserves to be showered with words that make her feel beautiful. Like a shot of ‘forever young’, these keep her feeling young and energized.

3. I’ll help around the house

“What? Do you really mean it?!”

It’s not just me … most mothers yearn for a beautiful, clean and organized home. Why? Because women are natural home makers. This explains why mothers tend to ‘kind of obsess’ about the state of their homes. Offering to help with housework like cleaning, laundry, cooking, even for one day, is a gift most mothers will happily embrace. Maybe that’ll give her a chance to stay in bed a little bit longer, put up her feet, watch TV and why not sip on some wine.

4. It’s time for a retreat

Ooooo, mother would love a few days just to herself away from the stress of work, the bustle of kids and even the arms of hubby (smile). Yes, make that possible for her. Pay for a church retreat, a seminar she’s always wanted to attend, or simply get her on a cruise to Hawaii … how about an afternoon at the spa? She’ll never forget it.

5. Here’s a little gift to show my appreciation

At the end of the day, she is young at heart, a princess who loves to receive gifts. A few of those every year – flowers, nice jewelery, clothes, shoes, handbags, a book, maybe a car … or why not a house, will keep her happy. But be careful not to overdo it, she might think you are becoming wasteful; ha!

6. Mommy, I am here for you

The last but certainly the most important – be there for her and let her know she can lean on you. You know, after so many years of giving and supporting, we tend to forget that she too needs some tender loving care. Most mothers would give up all material things in exchange for a good heart to heart conversation, special moments together and time with the kids and grand kids. Make family times frequent and give her an opportunity to bond with her grandchildren. Talk to her, listen to her and share in her worries. Let her know you will be there for her always!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Lema’s website is www.lemaabeng.com; Twitter: @LemaAbeng

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