I know, it may sound crazy and a few years ago, I wouldn’t have been espousing this particular suggestion. For years, my mother and I were not particularly close. My grandmother had been a fundamentally strong influence in my life and in many ways, she was every bit as much a mother to me. But over the last few years since my grandmother passed away, my mother and I have grown closer. I think my daughter’s existence has contributed to this stronger relationship.
Mom as a Workout Partner
Anyway, as I was saying before I took off on my verbal tangent, is that you should consider inviting your mother to join you as your workout partner. Why your mother? Well, why not? Let’s talk about all the great reasons your mother would make a good workout partner:
- Quality time with mom – sometimes just the simple act of going walking together gives you the time to communicate with each other on a basic, day-to-day level
- Working out gives you a topic of conversation that avoids the silent pitfalls of just sitting around for coffee and trying to manufacture topics of conversation
- Mom can help you stick to your exercise routine because you don’t want to disappoint her and vice versa, spending time with you may get mom up and moving
- Exercising also improves the endorphins in your brain and it’s always better to associate mom with positive memories and not those same old arguments resurfacing from your childhood
There are a lot of studies out there that support this. Author Paula Caplan PhD wrote:
It’s important to find a new common ground rather than spinning your wheels about that awful Thanksgiving when you were 12. If you’re exercising you’re often feeling better emotionally and that too can improve the likelihood of a better relationship. – Don’t Blame Mother: Mending the Mother-Daughter Relationship
Consider Inviting Mom Along
Consider inviting your mom along this Mother’s Day. It may just be the impetus that you both need to open up a new chapter in your relationship – and what better Mother’s Day gift can you think to give yourself and your mom?
More Mother’s Day Articles:
Mother’s Day: Gifts for Health and Well-being
Mother’s Day Gifts for Pet Moms