How To Make Mother’s Day Memorable For A Special Needs Mom
May 5, 2016
A post by AngelSense, a GPS & voice monitoring solution designed for children with special needs.
Learn more about how AngelSense’s GPS tracking device can help improve your child’s safety and well-being.
At times being a special needs parent can feel overwhelming. It takes heart, guts and tears, and there’s often more hard work than me-time. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate any special needs moms you know. Even the simplest gesture can make a tired mom feel loved and appreciated.
For many special needs moms, Mother’s Day doesn’t have the same ring to it. It’s unlikely that your little one will treat you to breakfast in bed or surprise you with a hand drawn card regardless of how well-meaning they may be. And for most special needs moms, something like breakfast in bed is unlikely to have the same appeal unless it comes with an offer to wash up afterwards. Life is just different in a household with special needs.
Why not spoil any special needs moms in your life this Mother’s Day with these creative gift ideas we’ve put together. It doesn’t take much to show someone else you care.
1. Offer to take over some of the household chores
As any parent knows, there’s always something that needs cleaning, washing or fixing around the house. This can be particularly frustrating for special needs parents whose to-do lists tend to be overflowing with tasks. You can offer to take some of this stress off their hands by offering to take on a few chores. This could include anything from washing the dishes, cleaning the floors or simply putting a load of laundry in the washing machine. Remember, every little bit helps.
2. Let her sleep in
Sleep is one of the those precious commodities most parents just can’t seem to get enough of. Special needs parents tend to be among the most sleep-deprived as it can be challenging to get a special child to sleep through the night. Giving a special mom the gift of a few extra hours of uninterrupted sleep is one of the most generous gifts you can give. You can offer to take the kids to the park or to see a movie until their mom is ready to face the world again.
3. Give the gift of alone time
As a parent with a special needs child, it isn’t always easy to maintain a sense of balance. It can feel like there are always more important things to take care of and attend to. For most special needs moms, alone time can quickly become a luxury that falls to the wayside as you rush to take care of more pressing matters. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to remind a special mom of their needs by giving them some much-needed alone time.
4. Offer to babysit
If you’re close with a special needs mom and know her kids well, you can offer to babysit them for a few hours. This is a very generous gift and most moms will be eternally grateful. It may be a good idea to babysit them in their own home to minimize any sensory overwhelm and reduce anxiety.
5. Offer to cook a meal for the family
There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, and offering to cook something that the entire family enjoys will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Before you get started, be sure to check if there are any food allergies or picky eaters in the family. Also, keep in mind that some special needs moms avoid feeding their children foods with gluten or sugar.
6. Give her alone time with her husband
As a parent with special needs children, you don’t always have the energy or time to focus on your significant other. By giving a special needs mom some alone time with her husband you’re giving her the opportunity to focus on her relationship. This truly is a priceless Mother’s Day gift.
7. Offer to take the kids to school
Depending on how close you are with a mom and her special needs children, you may be able to drop them off at school. This is a great way to free a mom of some of her responsibilities while still giving her the peace of mind that her children are in good hands. Be sure to enquire about any special behavior you should watch out for.
8. Give her a shower or bubble bath without interruptions
As a busy special needs parent, sometimes it’s the simplest things that make your day like taking a leisurely shower or bubble bath without any interruptions. This will give a mom the chance to unwind and destress. It’s an ideal way it start the day, and a gift any special needs mom would appreciate.
9. Treat her to something she would never buy herself
The financial demands of raising a child with special needs mean that often there isn’t extra money for treats. Why not spoil a special mom with something you know she’d love, but that she would never buy herself. Some fun gift ideas include a nourishing hand cream or a gift voucher for a manicure.
10. Pamper her
Most special needs moms are so busy worrying about the needs of their children that they tend to neglect themselves. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to change that by pampering her for a few hours. This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. A shoulder massage or a luxurious foot bath where she can soak her worries away are perfect gifts.
Do you have any tips for pampering a special needs mom on Mother’s Day? Share your recommendations and suggestions in the comments below.
AngelSense is committed to creating a safer world for special needs children in the hope that we can prevent a repeat of these tragedies. We designed the AngelSense GPS tracking solution to give parents the peace of mind that their child is safe at all times. You deserve peace of mind too. Try AngelSense Today.
