How To Write A Good Mother’s Day Card in 4 Simple Steps
The card may be generic but the message inside is only from you!
Chris Rock wasn’t too far off when he said “there are only three things women need in life: food, water, and compliments.” Ironically, my husband, Mark, told me this line and I couldn’t help but laugh because it is so true.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and I can’t be the only mom in the room who is blown away by a well written, thoughtful, and detailed card. Mother’s Day, in the United States, became an official holiday in 1911 by Anna Jarvis. She wanted to express gratitude for everything her mom, Ann Jarvis, a social activist and community organizer – aka the Mother of all Mothers – did for her family and for the world. While Anna is responsible for making Mother’s Day a holiday in America, she went to her grave fighting against the commercialization of it and insisted people write letters to their mothers (instead of buying things for them). It all started with acknowledgement.
The tips below apply to cards for all moms, whether you’re celebrating your wife or your own mother. And really, it doesn’t matter what kind of card you buy, it matters what you personally write in it. Here are some ideas to help you get off on the right Mother’s Day foot – starting with the card! (If you’re still looking for a meaningful gift, click here for ideas.)
Be specific Think of times when you saw her struggle and overcome something… think of what she does that impresses you or makes your life easier. Does she read helpful parenting books that ease tension and build sibling bonds between the kids? Does she help pack everything up before every single outing? Rummage through your memory bank and put it in writing!
Show empathy Truly put yourself in her shoes. I know you love quality sleep and cannot imagine staying up all night with the kids, like she does – and still do the mom-hustle the rest of the day: skipping morning showers so she can make unique and healthy lunches for each child, keeping her cool when the boys resist EVERY SINGLE afterschool activity... the list goes on! Seeing what she does day to day and showing that you “get” it can go a long way. And when she feels truly “seen” by you, she’s more likely to “see” you, too.
Acknowledge and appreciate Write about her unique impact and all the positive differences she makes in your family. Like how the kids are constantly praised by strangers, teachers, and friends for having amazing manners – and you see how much effort she puts into helping them be kind, considerate, and good people. “Ooh and aaah” at how she keeps it all together, even though you know it must feel impossible to her. Take this time to call out her selfless actions and thank her for it. Believe me – you don’t want too many years of not feeling acknowledged to go by!
Strive for heartfelt, not perfection The reason Chat GPT is not the solution here is that real humans are not overly polished and perfect. Our rawness (vulnerability) is relatable, real, and it is what builds connection. We have something special that computers lack: our hearts. Let your words come from the deep within. Even if your card doesn’t check off every part of the list above, the love, thought, and care you put into writing it, will come shining through!