A Gift To Mom

Eco Kids magazine

EcoKids 1

A Gift To Mom

Eco Kids Magazine

It's not the price that counts for Mother's Day gifts. Everyone knows that Mom's favorite Mother's day gifts are macaroni necklaces and other "hand crafted" treasures. The secret is to pour more love than paint and glue into each Mother's Day art, craft and activities projects.

A few weeks before Mother's Day, visit the library and read some children's books about Mother's Day.

Vivian French's A Present for Mom is a delightful book about the youngest child's dilemma in finding the right gift for his mom.
This would be a great story to read with Eco Kids around a parent's birthday as well. It helps the little ones understand that some of the best presents of all to give are from our heart and imagination. Also, this would be a good book for those single parent households. What's even better is the story doesn't come across as a single family home. Illustrated by Dana Kubick (Publisher: Candlewick Press (04/30/2005) ISBN-13: 9780763626921 Reading Level: Age: 3 - 5 For infants or children in preschool).

It was the day before Mother's Day. Stanley went to see his big brother, Rex..." (from the first line)
Mother's Day is tomorrow, and all of Stanley's siblings have something to give to Mom. Everyone except Stanley, that is. Being the baby of the family, Stanley is having a very hard time finding just the right gift. But after a night of fretful dreams--when it's almost too late--Stanley comes up with an idea for a present that will last forever. With winsome illustrations by Dana Kubick, Vivian French's story of a memorable Mother's Day will resonate with children and parents all year long.

Annotation:
Mother's Day looms and Stanley the little kitten must find his mother the perfect present. After the flowers he finds lose their petals and the mud cake he makes slips into a mud slide, Stanley goes to bed worried he won't find the right gift. His oldest sister gives him some sage advice, and Stanley learns to give a gift from his heart. With watercolor and gouache illustrations. This book is definetly a keeper.

For older Eco Kids, a wonderful idea is to write your Mom a letter telling her about how much it means to you that she is in your life. Most Mothers just want to know that they are loved by their families. I promise vouchers are well recieved, as are memories in a jar, love notes scattered around the home and hug vouchers.

With younger Eco Kids, you might want to consider doing a craft together to honor the day. Make collages to represent the things that are most appreciated in your life; and what better occasion is there to reflect on what you appreciate most than Mother's Day?

Hand prints are great treasures (especially for Grandma's). Make sure you put the name of each child and the date on the handprint. Place on recycled paper or paper or fabric found from around the home, or a pillowcase full of handprints is great fun.

Make a beautiful Mothers Day card from a brown paper bag / any old paper / recycled board / fabric and some ribbon.
Brown paper (from a grocery bag) or paper or card or fabric scraps etc.

Look for the ACMI seal (Art and Creative Materials Institute) on everything from paints to crayons to glue to ensure that the product is non-toxic for both your child and the planet.

Remember elderly neighbors and friends on Mothers Day, with a small homemade craft or cooking gift.

Many families begin Mother's Day with breakfast in bed. Usually Dad and the Kids will let Mom sleep late as they go into the kitchen and prepare her favorite meal. A Mother's Day breakfast can consist of anything Mom likes. After the food is cooked arrange everything nicely on a tray.
Mother's Day started out with children presenting their Mother with a flower. Pick a flower from the garden. When everything is ready carefully carry the tray and Mom's favorite sections from the newspaper up to her bedroom. Homemade cards and small homemade presents from the children can be placed on the tray before it is presented to Mom in bed.

If Mom is like my Mom and dosen't like the crumbs in bed - set a beautiful table and the family can share the beautiful prepared breakfast.

It is a good day to let your Mom relax and let her see what a wonderful family she has.

It's great to receive gifts and honor from your children, but it's also important to take some time at Mother's Day to sit and reflect on your own personal feelings about being a Mother. What do you treasure about raising your children? What surprises you the most? What helps you cope with the challenges you face? Take the time to compliment yourself this Mother's Day and recognize the truly wonderful and loving gift that you are to your Eco Kids.

An alphabet of gift ideas that include not only things to make and selections of home grown produce but also offers of your love, labour and energy to perform chores for Mom and Grandma - a gift of precious time that will always be welcome.

With just a little help, even the smallest child will be enthralled making some of these special gifts all year round or for unique Mother's Day gifts. Click Here

HEALTHY BITES Recipe ideas without all the nasties using love and care + organic ingredients. Enjoy ecobites' collection of fully illustrated recipes (with photos). All written exclusively for ecobites by CEO Lyn Stein (or user submitted). Eating healthy doesn't have to be bland. Choose from soups, starters, snacks, drinks, exotic fruit treats, vegetable dishes, pasta and more. Click here

ECO KIDS CORNER Tasty recipes for children to eat and/or create. Tried and proven healthy recipes without sugar and processed foods that children love. Get your children to create these recipes and you will have started them on a lifelong journey of great food and excellent dietry habits. Click here