| Author |
Message |
    
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1130
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:29 am: | 
|
Hi!
What can I get for my new mommy for mothers day? I'm a little over four months old, so I don't have any money.....I can't walk or talk, so I don't even have a job yet.....hmmmmm....can you help my daddy? She works very hard and needs something special just for her.
Thanks!
Mini-J |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 176
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:41 am: |
|
1) Arrange for a photo to be taken of the three of you (sears etc) to commemorate her "first" Mothers day
2) Book her in for a manicure/pedicure etc, time that she just zones out..
3) Get mini-j painted up - put paint (carefully! and choose non toxic paint!) on hands and feet and press them onto card, when it is dry write on the back that this was done for mothers day 2005. Do this every year until mini-j is big enough to get revenge and paints you....
|
anotherkittie
Citizen
Username: Anotherkittie
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:50 am: |
|
A day off at the Short Hills Hilton Spa. And something to remember the day by. I got a beautiful necklace from my then 2-month old son. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3537
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 7:52 am: |
|
4) Take Soparents idea one step further, and make it more enduring and permanant, and go to Paintin' the Plates in Maplewood and make a platter (or mug or whatever) with little J's handprints, and write First Mother's Day.
Or take a digital photo of little J, and upload to Kodak or Shutterfly or Snapfish and get any one of the million photo gifts they have.
Or just get a onesie that says Happy First Mother's Day, take a photo and frame the photo. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7271
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 8:58 am: |
|
This is a great time of year to go to Paintin'. There is always a confused looking dad holding a squirming infant trying to figure out the hand paint thing.
The staff there are very good at helping do this. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4287
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
|
As a one time new mom of three, I say go for the massage or mani/pedi. New mom's rarely get any time to themselves, and could use the pampering. To top it off, make her day stress free by cooking (or ordering in or taking her out). Basically make it her day to do what she wants.
I myself would not want the hand or footprint thing to hang on a wall, but I would be eternally grateful to have a small organized photo album of the family with hand written notes, the hand prints or fottprints oculd go in there. Many stores have archival ones that would last forever. |
kriss
Citizen
Username: Kriss
Post Number: 292
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:20 am: |
|
I love all the keepsake ideas. Also agree that giving her some alone time will be hugely appreciated. One thing that I remember from those early months is that I never was alone, and especially NEVER had the house to myself. So, maybe get her a gift certificate for a trip to the dayspa (that she can book at her convenience), but for mother's day, take the baby out of the house for a good chunk of time, and just let her be. Is your mom in the area? Maybe you could take Jr. to visit Grandma, let Mom alone for a few hours, and you hit the trifecta: thoughtful son, awesome hubby, great daddy! |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1519
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
|
If you give the spa gift (which sounds wonderful, BTW), make it an extra special gift by NOT calling her while she's there to ask her ____________ (fill in the blank with whatever question about the baby you have -- where's the talcum powder, why is he crying, etc.).
I've gone on many "girls night out" occasions with my friends who have young kids and when the hubby calls with the latest "crisis", their mood immediately plummets because "home" has found a way to go out with them...
I say if you're going to give the give of "getting away from it all", really let her get away for the afternoon. |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1132
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:26 am: |
|
Great ideas everyone, THANKS! Keep 'em comin'.....
|
BGS
Supporter
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 939
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:33 am: |
|
Jay-
One of the sweetest things that I own is handprints of my oldest that were framed and given to me for Mother's Day. I still look at them, 25 years later.
I think the nicest thing that could be given to me is a stress free day at home with my husband and baby. I prefer to stay at home and have dinner in and be with my loved ones...but that is just me....
The spa thing is nice but not something that I personally would cherish...She might love the mani and pedi though...
Ooooo-I just thought of something else...if you do not have a house cleaner how about calling Merry Maids or some service for a complete spring cleaning on a day that your three can be out of the house...I know that that is something that I would have cherished when I had a new baby at home.
Good luck!
BGS |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 177
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
|
On M/D morning, sit on the bed with her, holding baby J in your arms, look her in the eyes and say, "Happy first mothers day, we love you"
Guaranteed she will remember that....
|
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3539
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:45 pm: |
|
I too, love to have time to myself, alone and quiet in my house, on Mother's Day. Last year a friend and I took a last minute get-away to a hotel/spa (in the loosest possible sense of the term) in Long Branch. Often times my husband does exactly what kriss suggested and takes the kids to see his mom.
I would, however, try to make certain that she wants to be left alone. If not, she may feel you are abondoning or ignoring her on "her" special day. I also really enjoy just spending down time at home with my husband and kids, with daddy taking over all the "mommy" chores for the day--breaking up fights, changing diapers, cleaning up messes, wiping bottoms, finding lost shoes, preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards--while I relax and enjoy everyone's company.
This year I'm hoping for the "Quiet-Time-To-Myself" plan. Just got back from a week long "vacation" with the kids, where mom doesn't get a minute. Even though dad was around to help out, and we had a lovely time all together, it was hardly "restful" for either of us. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 243
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 2:34 pm: |
|
A nap. A nice, long nap. Spa-shma. An undisturbed, untimed nap will make her feel like a million bucks. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3543
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 2:40 pm: |
|
Even better--the opportunity to "sleep in" until whatever time she feels like waking up! |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1175
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:10 pm: |
|
A nice day off would go over very well. Plan a relaxing stop or two for her on her journey.
Or you could get her some shoes. That way she will not have to be barefoot in the kitchen. (Just kidding, please don't start yelling at me people!) |
anotherkittie
Citizen
Username: Anotherkittie
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
|
Another idea. A day off is nice, but new moms are sometimes weird about actually LEAVING for a day no matter who they leave their baby with. Being at a spa is great, but if you are feeling guilty or worried, then it is no fun at all. Just a thought---be the lead "caregiver" on mother's day as much as possible. |
Heather
Citizen
Username: Heater33
Post Number: 42
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 4:41 pm: |
|
Another thought...go to a jewelery store and buy a simple pair of earrings with the baby's birth stone in them. I received pear shapped studs with my son's stone and love them! The jewler will know which stone belongs to which month. Good luck! |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1176
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 5:02 pm: |
|
Not practical in way but way funny, you could get a t-shirt for mom with the baby's picture on it and get one from baby with mom picture. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3546
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 6:02 pm: |
|
Also a nice gift and fairly universally popular (at least in my observation)--if she doesn't already have it--and not too terribly pricy: sterling silver Tiffany chain bracelet with heart charm with baby's name and birthdate engraved on the charm. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3559
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
|
Hey Jay, of course you know that now you're going to have to report back about exactly what gift you gave, and how the day went, and let us know how it all worked out, right? |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1135
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 6:41 am: |
|
Yes, of course. Full disclosure! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13753
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:19 am: |
|
Call me a scrooge, but I think Mother's Day is an opportunity to show appreciation for your own mother, not the mother of your child. I encourage my kids to get something for their mother. My job is done.
Since mini-J is too small for that, then the onesie is nice. A trip to the spa is for the wife's birthday or Christmas, unless mini-J buys it for Mother's Day.
Bah Humbug.
|
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1136
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:42 am: |
|
I'm kind of with you on this one, Tom. Still, I like the idea of the hand print on something like a coffee cup, so that is the route I'm gonna go. My wife's birthday is actually May 9th, so that is the present that will be more materialistic.
I think mother's day should be more about the emotion than the stuff anyway. |
Carla
Citizen
Username: Elbowroom
Post Number: 70
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:44 am: |
|
SCROOGE!!! The OP wants to show appreciation to his own mother! But Mini-J is too young to do so so he needs help from his very thoughtful daddy. THIS IS HIS MOM'S FIRST MOTHER'S DAY! It's a very special day.
Yes, Scrooge you don't need to get the mother of your teen daughters anything. It IS their job now. Your job is done but Jay's isn't yet. Not for a few years.
Jay, spa treatments, some time to get pampered, pedicures, hair cut etc.. are all good. So are the little keepsakes mentioned. Why do just one? Whatever you do it will be great!
|
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3561
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 7:52 am: |
|
I second that: SCROOGE! I went through a lot to bear these children for him (yes, I know, for us), and I work hard every day doing my best to do right by them, take care of them, nurture and protect them, etc., etc., etc. Unlike my husband, I don't get industry awards, regular performance reviews and salary increases, compliments from my co-workers, supervisors and/or clients for a job well done. As you well know, Tom, it is a thankless job, and I think I deserve one day specially set aside for my husband to thank me and acknowledge all that I do.
And I do the same for him on Father's Day.
The stuff the kids do is absolutely the frosting on the cake. |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1137
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 8:04 am: |
|
Yikes, Tom. Am I guilty by association, or can I just slide by and do some of the things you ladies suggested?  |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 196
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 8:16 am: |
|
One careful word of caution about following Toms suggestion.......
Don't...... |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3383
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 8:46 am: |
|
Tom's suggestion makes perfect sense for his situation. He is a parent of teenagers who are certainly old enough to handle this on their own. Furthermore, he is no longer with their mother.
It would be lousy advice for Jay, obviously, and I think they both would agree about that.
One of the myriad of duties we have as parents is to help our children learn to do these kinds of things for their loved ones. When they are infants we mostly do them for them in their names. Gradually we move from doing it for them to helping them do it to reminding them to do it. Exactly how that happens and when will vary from family to family and person to person. Clearly there is no single right answer.
Jay is obviously in the "do it for them" stage and he's got lots of good suggestions here.
My husband and daughters have the added "burden" that Mothers Day falls very close to and sometimes on my birthday. Also, one of my daughters' birthdays is in the same week as mine and also sometimes falls on Mothers Day. So hubby and other daughter have a lot of gifting and celebrating to work on around this time every year.
Lucky for me, Fathers Day is nowhere near his birthday!
|
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13756
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 11:16 am: |
|
Let me retract my scroogy suggestion. I don't even remember what I did at the first mother's day when my first kid was five months old.
I do remember my ex's mother, who was a real sweetie, and may she rest in peace, would send us mother's and father's day cards. I miss her.
|
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4292
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 12:11 pm: |
|
I've been thinking a lot about this thread and what I "expect" on Mother's Day.
I suppose I'm lucky that my husband doesn't get upset when I buy myself clothes, a new digital camera, a dyson vacuum. Even though I don't work, he never makes me feel as though I'm spending "his" money. I'm not a shopaholic, but if I need something I buy it.
For mother's day, I don't expect my husband to buy me gifts. I really don't. Maybe because he's not the world's best gift giver, I buy what I need and want. If it was a more significant purhcae, like jewelry, I'd tell him what I want or buy it and let him know it's my birthday or Christmas present.
Really, all I want on mother's day is to be treated nicely. Let my husband take care of the meals, not to worry about the kids, do something fun as a family. Handmade cards from the kids are perfect, one from my husband is thoughtful. Plant me a new tree.
|
BGS
Supporter
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 945
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
|
Tom - I have to agree with some of what you say...for us adults who are lucky enough to have our parents...I think that we should remember them first...I never expected Mr. BGS to go crazy for me on Mother;s Day because I was busy doing the dinner thing for our Mothers. I did love the aforementioned handprint that was framed etc... and I loved some time along with my family...but the rest of the day was spent taking care of our Moms...and now that my girls are old enought to care for me...they do!!!!!!!!!!!
It is not about being a scrooge at all I do not think....My husband is not responsible for my mothers day happiness...IMHO.
BGS
|
Amie Brockway-Metcalf
Citizen
Username: Amie
Post Number: 526
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 1:11 pm: |
|
My husband got me a sweet little heart-shaped locket from the Sundance catalog when my first son was born. I wear it every day and have pictures of my little guys in there. |
Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 108
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 4:40 pm: |
|
I remember my first mother's day...my son was born prematurely only a few days before mother's day...I came home from the hospital WITHOUT the baby because he had jaundice and they were keeping him a little longer under the lights to get rid of it. Between the postpartem crazy hormones and the sadness of having to leave him behind I was a basket case every time someone would stop by, call, send a card whatever for mother's day.
At that point I would not have wanted a spa treatment or anything other than to hold my baby and have him home...(he's 26 now and still home so I guess you have to be careful what you wish for LOL)
I'm with the people who said Dad should model the behavior of appreciating mom to his children so that when they are old enough it will be second nature to them. For the longest time my stock answer to what do you want for ______(fill in the occasion) was "good kids and a clean house" Eventually I got that!
|
Psychomom
Citizen
Username: Psychomom
Post Number: 111
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
|
Hey mini-J
I just got this online looks like a cute idea. You can customize M&M's with a special message for your mom.
http://shop2.mms.com/customprint/blends.asp?src=111398&sc_cid=DR_EFGB_M3ED0607DS N11033 |
Jay
Citizen
Username: Jaymon
Post Number: 1143
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 12:38 pm: |
|
Wow, very cool. Only problem is that she is very concious of her wieght and it's a
'RUN FOR THE HILLS' topic for me.
Just to keep everyone in the loop, I think I'm going to town today to get the hand print put on some stuff and I'll get her earings with his birth stone for her birthday, since it falls out so close.
Thanks to all for the great suggestions and witty reparte! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page