I'm Not Just a Mom: Fresh Ideas for Mother's Day Gifts

The day that a child is born, the mother is born as well. We women do not just transition into motherhood on this day, though. As mothers we fill a number of roles. We even function as inanimate objects at times! Mother's Day is a day for honoring mothers for all that they are and all of the roles they fill. There are a lot of wonderful gifts you can give a woman for Mother's Day. The classic jewelry and flowers are wonderful, but they get old. This year, why not be creative--even a bit humorous? Don't forget that your wife isn't just a mother. That's just one in a million parts she plays. I'm not just a mom!

I am a food dispenser! I'm comparable to a bottle or sippi cup, with the exception that my breasts don't empty. Sometimes, especially in the early months, I've felt like that's all I've been good for! Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for mother and child, but all mothers could use a break every now and then. Instead of splurging on an expensive Mother's Day gift, why not try relieving her of feeding duty for a while? Take night feeding duty for an evening or weekend, or just give the baby a bottle while she indulges in a bubble bath. If your child is older, why not take the initiative to offer a sippi cup when they show a desire to nurse? Of course, it won't work all of the time, because sometimes babies just need mama.

I am a teddy bear. Mommies are just perfect for cuddling. We also get drug around the house by the arm, like teddy bears. They do this to show us things, to tell us what they want, or have us bear witness to their amazingly tall block tower. Teddy bears are great gifts. They are long-lasting, and the children will enjoy them too. She'll always think of you when she sees it, and perhaps she can put it to good use. For example, if the child wants a cuddle while mommy needs to potty, she could offer the teddy bear. Or, if your daughter wants to show mommy the squirrel outside, her mother could say "Show teddy, and he'll tell me all about it!" Of course, most of the time we mothers love to go see the amazing things our children have built or discovered, but the teddy bear can be quite useful if our attention is demanded while we are trying to eat a warm meal or go to the bathroom. They are also good for squeezing, in those moments where we just need to relieve some stress!

I am a trampoline. My son loves to climb into my lap or onto my belly and bounce on me. I guess I'm squishy. He also enjoys bouncing on my knee, which is always fun. Sometimes, though, I sure wish we had a trampoline--just a little one, maybe that we could keep indoors. If my son has the desire to bounce, I could place him on the trampoline and let him go to town. I'm sure I'd find it useful, too. Trampolines are great for exercising, and they're a ton of fun. I could entertain myself and my child for quite a while with a trampoline. Buy me one, please?

I am a jungle gym. I am my son's favorite thing to climb. I don't usually mind it, but it does get annoying when I'm trying to read, write, watch TV. My son's not old enough for monkey bars, but he does enjoy climbing at the park. He goes up and down stairs and ladders, even tries to climb the slide. Why not invest in a swing set for outback? If you don't have a yard, they make lots of small climbing toys that can be used indoors. You could buy a simple slide or a toddler play cube. Hopefully it will give your wife a break from being your son's personal set of monkey bars.

I am a race car track. My son loves to drive his matchbox cars all over me. It's very cute. Sometimes he tries to drive his big trucks on me, and that's not very comfortable. I wonder if my son had some Hot Wheels tracks for those cars, would he still drive them all over me? I imagine it would be a lot of fun to drive the cars on the tracks with him. I can definitely see such a thing entertaining him for hours, giving me time to enjoy myself as well. And it would also bring us closer together, because it's a lot of fun to play cars with a little toddler. I know that from experience!

I am a pillow. My son loves to fall asleep with his head in my lap or on my shoulder. Those moments are always very sweet--until I'm ready to get up, or go to sleep. Wiggling free of him without waking him can be difficult. If only I had a few small pillows, always handy, that I could wedge up under his head, so he wouldn't notice when I moved... Hmmm!

I am a transportation device. My son loves piggy back rides, as well as being carried around the house. Have you thought about investing in a few ride on cars? If your child is old enough, what about a miniature car that really goes when they press down on the gas? That would give mom a break from pulling the wagon or giving piggy back rides, though those things are awfully fun. If you have a younger baby, why not buy her a sling or babywearing device if you haven't already? That way she could be close to your little one while still having hands free to do whatever she wants.

Some people may be thinking, "Why would a mom want toys for Mother's Day?" I know; it seems silly. But consider this: toys entertain our children. This gives us a break from being their entertainment, from being their toys. Moreover, moms love new toys just as much as their kids do. We love to play with our children and their toys, and having new toys gives us more to do with them. Toys bring a mother and child closer together while also providing room for mom to have some time to herself. Whenever my son gets a new toy I am just as eager as he is to try it out and see it in action.

This can be great around Mother's Day, because this is a time when we really appreciate a break. Maybe it'll entertain the child long enough for us to get all dressed up and ready to go, so we can actually be on time for our reservation at Red Lobster! Who knows? You may enjoy playing with these toys as well. One of the best gifts you can give a mother for Mother's Day is quality family time, all of you on the floor playing cars. Most important is what these gifts say: that you know she's not just a mom, that you understand she plays so many roles, that you understand all she does as a mother. Mothers are so many things to a child, but then again, maybe these things are just substitutes for mommy.