The Multipurpose Mother's Day; Celebrating with Several Families and Purposes

What the heck is a multipurpose Mother's Day? I know that's what you're asking me right now. Let me explain. Our family likes to not only celebrate Mother's Day as a large unit. But we also are usually celebrating two occasions on the same day '" Mother's Day and my birthday. If you are thinking of making your Mother's Day more than just a small intimate celebration, read on for my story and some handy hints.

Mother's Day doesn't have to be limited to one household. In our family, we often have huge Mother's Day celebrations that include the entire in-state family. Of course all of the mothers are honored, as they should be. But it's a fun celebration for all. Cook-outs at the park are a great way to include everyone. Pool parties can also be fun so mom can really get in some R&R. Of course, it may have to be a backyard pool (and a sunny day), as many public pools will not be open yet on Mother's Day.

Our family's multipurpose Mother's Day has a deeper meaning. I'm not sure exactly what year we started this. Perhaps it has always been this way. But there is a deeper meaning behind the fact that we all celebrate Mother's day together. I was born near Mother's Day and my mom considers me a gift in that way. It also happens that some years, like the year this is being written, my birthday actually falls right on Mother's Day. How cool is that? When I became a mother myself, it became even more meaningful to me. I am not a material person, so for me, my kids are the best gifts I could ever have. The fact that I get to celebrate Mother's Day for my birthday is a gift in itself.

Should you have a multipurpose Mother's Day? Each family will be different, as some may prefer a more intimate celebration. Also, if someone has a nearby birthday or there's another event to celebrate, not all people are going to be as open to celebrating both together. However, I can tell you that our family has a blast whenever we get a chance to do this. The moms get to relax and be catered to all day and everyone has a good time. If your family likes to get together for large celebrations, there's really no reason not to make Mother's Day a cause for such an event. It will take some creative planning, especially if there are out-of-town family members who wish to attend. But from experience, I know it is well worth the effort. More family on-hand makes the day even more meaningful for Mom.

Handy hints

Anyone who's a mom does not have to lift a finger! - The kids, husbands, fathers and anyone else who is not a mom gets to set up, clean, and otherwise host and organize the celebration. However, since this is Mother's Day, no mom has to do anything but have fun and relax.

Don't neglect the pets! - Animals are a part of the family too. My kids consider the animals to be their fur babies and I consider them to be my fur grandchildren. No Mother's Day celebration is complete without all of the kids. Set aside a special area for each type of pet if there will be various animals who may not get along. I suggest appropriate playpen areas for each. This is easier if your Mother's Day celebration is outside.

Have more food and activities than necessary. - This just helps everything go smoothly so that no one is left bored or hungry. At our Mother's Day celebrations, we don't really set a time for the fun to end. If your family is like ours, there is no telling how long people will be there. If there's plenty of food and things to do, that won't matter much.

Don't set a gifting time - This keeps each mom's day special and unique to her. At any given moment, each mom might be surprised with their gifts. Because my birthday is the same day, I ask that if people must give gifts, they reserve it to just Mother's Day. This frees up space for the other moms and also doesn't make me the center of attention. If your family will be celebrating another event at the same time, this is something to keep in mind.

Mother's Day party activities

Crafts are versatile - Making crafts is an activity everyone can enjoy. Plus, it serves as a bonus gift everyone can give to the moms who are present.

Mother/child karaoke - This is one of our favorites. Each child (adult or grown) and their mom get to sing a karaoke song together. Pets are allowed too! Dogs especially like singing with their owners. Other pets may not be too fond of this one. Small animals or those with sensitive ears should be in an area away from the loud noise.

Who's Your Mommy? - In this one, the young children are blindfolded and the moms are seated in a row of chairs. Be sure the moms are positioned after the kids put on the blindfolds to make it more challenging. One at a time, each kid gets a turn to find their mom. An adult will start the first player out by asking "Who's your mommy?" Then, starting from the first person in the row, the moms will each say "Is it me?" be sure to leave enough pause to think. When the child hears the correct mom, that child needs to say "That's my mommy!" Game play ends when each child has guessed their mother correctly. This is a fun game, but also a learning experience.

The multipurpose Mother's Day can create a tradition full of love and lasting memories. A multipurpose Mother's Day celebration may not be for everyone. But, it can be very special to those who get the chance to honor mothers in this way. These festivities have created a deep meaning for myself, my mom, and all of the others who have participated. For a few years, I lived in another state and each Mother's Day we were away I reflected on and missed these special events. While I still had an awesome time, it just wasn't the same without everyone there. Now that we have moved back to the same state as some of the family, it's great to be able to have our multipurpose Mother's Day celebration once again this year. I won't miss another for anything.

More from Lyn:

Parenting Guru: Why I prefer not to have gifts on Mother's Day

Parenting Guru: Fun family activities for Mother's Day

Mother's Day Past and Present