In honor of Mother’s Day I wrote the blog: “Mother-Daughter Vacations” offering activities specifically tailored to promote female bonding. For example, a mother and daughter tea party, a day at the spa, etc. I ended the blog by promising to share ideas specifically designed for mothers and sons. And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, I must make good on that promise. Easier said than done.
I am a mother, but I have yet to give birth to a son. And while I am married to a son and have three brothers, I struggled to come up with any really earth-shattering vacation ideas for mothers and sons. My original blog detailed trips to Legoland (what boy doesn’t like Legos), paintball or laser-tag arenas and a package deal to Mexico for “the fishing trip of a lifetime.” But after proof reading it I hit “delete” and called my brother. “What’s the greatest trip you and mom have ever taken?” I asked. After a long pause I rephrased my question, “If you could choose to spend time with mom anywhere in the world, where would it be?” Still silence. This was not the response I was looking for. Finally, I got an answer… one that changed the direction of my mother and son vacation blog. In a nutshell, my brother answered that growing up his favorite time with my mom was anytime that he didn’t have to share her with me or my other two brothers. Whether they were playing with his “Hot-wheels” looking for shells at the beach or throwing the Frisbee around, as long as it was just the two of them, he couldn’t ask for much more.
After giving it much thought I have revised my mother and son vacation blog and am going another route. My new suggestions are all day trips and are as follows:
· A trip to the zoo. Many local zoos offer free admission to moms on Mother’s Day.
· A trip to a local nature reserve. Bring along a jar, poke some holes in the lid and turn it into a critter hunt.
· A picnic in the park. Plan the meal with your son and have fun making the items together.
· A trip to the beach. Bring along some Tonka trucks and make ditches, castles or design a quarry with beach rocks.
The possibilities are endless. The point: spending quality time together. Happy Mother’s Day!