What Makes Moms Happy

She might not always look familiar, but she is well known and universally loved. She isn't in disguise, but on any given day, she may look crisp or rumpled, worried or relaxed, happy or puzzled, rushed or calm. She could be silly or serious, outgoing or shy, daring or deliberate. She might be a neighbor, a sister, a daughter or a best friend. She might be you.

She is a teacher, a plumber, a nurse and a secretary. She can be judge, jury, witness and warden. She has mastered the art of cooking, coaching, chauffeuring and cheerleading. She is probably a storyteller, cookie seller and sandwich maker extraordinaire. Sock finder, hair comber and face washer are among her many talents. She has patience, wisdom, compassion, and eyes in the back of her head. Her eyes, ears and heart are open at all times, but she might close the kitchen on occasion. She has learned to laugh through her tears, cry with laughter, listen silently and speak loudly.

She is the most extraordinary of human beings. She is a mom.

A Sunday in May is set aside every year to honor her and, in some small way, perhaps bring a little extra happiness into her life to make up for that loose lizard and the overflowing toilet.

What makes a mom happy? We asked first graders at Morris Elementary School to share their secrets. They worked hard to oblige.

Students in Pam Mason¹s class were asked when their moms are happy. Here are their responses, spelled just the way they liked them:

Matthew Gilbert: "When I kiss her." Patrick Colvin: "When I give her a hug."
Orion Billetter: "When I run into her arms."
Taylor Vasta: "When I rite her notes."

Other students said their moms like indoor activities and are happy when...
"We watch a movie and eat popcorn at night." (Caitlin Doherty)
"We watch TV." (John Kruger)
"I help her clean the house!" (Emma Skakel)

Some said their moms prefer the great outdoors and are happy when...
"We take a walk to the park." (Morgan Powers)
"She's outside playing with my dog and me." (Cami Smachetti)
"She is outside in the garden." (Gaby Salinetti)
"We're both outside together." (Mackenzie Corcoran)

Others said their moms like simple pleasures and are happy when...
"We're together." (Ariannah House)
"I am home." (Zachary Wilson)
"She sees me." (Sean Baruch)
"She is with me." (Tyler Coon).
Tom Reynolds said, "My mom is always happy except when she is at work and she doesn't get to see me."
And (a hint for Mother's Day), Nicole Stracuzzi said her mom is happy when "I get her gifts."

Grace Ellrodt and Renau Carotenuto from Brenda Crane's class agreed, saying their moms are happy when they get a present or a Mother's Day gift.

Other students from Crane's class weighed in, as follows:
"The happiest day of my mom's life was when I was born." (Sarah Molk)
"I hug my mom because my mom loves me!" (Ritu Pandya)
Asa Cade's mom is happy when "I say she is the best."

Others said their mom is happy when:
"She sees me." (Connor McNinch)
"She sees me and my brother." (Emma Ingalls)
"I get good grades." (Cameron Abderhalden)
"I do the laundry." (Annemarie Carpenter)
Emily Czelusniak said, "I make my bed; my mom feels happy."
"My mom is happy because she likes to plant flowers," said Jacob Delasco.

Trip McKee and Ehan Keator said their moms find happiness in sports.
"I let her pinch run for me when I play baseball," Trip said
"[My mom is happy when] The Patriots win the Super Bowl!" Ehan said.
Chas Novitsky said his mom is happy when, "I pray."
Lily Daoust simply said, "We are having fun in every season."

Fathers are important to mom's happiness, too:
"My mom is happy because my dad is a chef, so she doesn¹t have to cook," said Emma Brooks.
Lauren Telesz said her mom is happy when "my daddy comes home, and when we behave when we go shopping."

Students in Lisa Slosek's class were asked to finish the phrase: My mom's dream come true would be... Their answers follow:
"To have a whole school year with me because she misses me when I'm in school." (Matt Germanowski, who added that he would be quite willing to sacrifice schoolwork for his mom.)
"Getting a new job." (Kevin Coakley)

"For my mom's dad to be alive." (Hannah Stechmann)
"For me to stop whining every time I see her," (Lucara Aman, who drew a picture of herself asking for an ice cream cone.)
Siblings also play a role in making dreams come true. Bailey Patella said she should "help my mom with my brother and sister."

Other dreams come true for moms would be:
"To have a brake from my brother and sister." (Annie Fielding)
"If me and my brother would behave for her because we fight sometimes." (Emily Tibbetts)
"To have a big vegetable and flower gordin." (Lacy Schwartz)
"For me to plant a flower garden." (Sydney King)

Relaxation was high on the list of dreams for these busy mothers:
"My mom would like to sleep all day!" (Laurel Almgren)
"To not wake my mom up until late in the morning." (Tom Hedges)
Jack Vickery and Jack Ellrodt said they believe their moms need "to have a day off from work."

More dreams come true:
"For my mom to go to a spa for one week," (both Katie Mitts and Amanda Youmans)
"To have a day all by herself," (Jackson Reis, who drew a picture of his mom reading in bed.)
"To relax and not be strest." (Emma Sternerup)

Many moms can relate to being "strest" or needing a "brake" because mothering is a job without end and with plenty of challenges. She may deal with tantrums, tummy aches and tattling in one hour, homework, hurt feelings and heavy lifting the next. It is honest and honorable, though sometimes heartbreaking, work. The pay is low, the hours are long and the workplace gets messy, but most moms would agree: Fierce hugs beat stock options any day.

What really makes a mom happy? The answer from Morris School and beyond seems clear: A happy mom is a reflection of a child¹s love.