Who: Jen Singer, parenting humorist and author of
You’re a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren’t So Bad Either)
What Jen Says: Think you know exactly what to give the beleaguered, “mom-aholic” in your life this Mother’s Day? Maybe dinner and a movie or give her a nice bouquet of flowers? Stray away from the “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” and give her something she really wants.
1. Sleep: If sleep is the new sex, then moms probably think of sleep every five minutes. Give Mom homemade coupons for a full night of uninterrupted sleep.
2. Time off for good behavior: In a 24/7 job with no vacation days or sick days, sometimes Mom needs to wander the mall alone. Give her an entire day off, to visit a spa, lunch with friends or see movies that aren’t animated.
3. Recognition: Everybody needs a pat on the back, but moms don’t get a performance review. Give her a holiday bonus: money to spend on just herself along with a homemade certificate of recognition.
4. Her own space: She shares everything from her mini-van to her lunch to her computer with her kids. Make a “Mom Only Zone,” the one spot in the house where kids are not allowed to park their toy cars or share with Mom.
5. A night out, sans kids: You simply can’t have a quiet, romantic dinner at home when someone is shouting your name from the potty. Take her out, alone, to a restaurant that doesn’t provide crayons for coloring on the tablecloth.
Five lucky readers will win a copy of Singer’s book,
You’re a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren’t So Bad Either)! To be considered, tell us which of Singer’s Mother’s Day gift suggestions you want the most by Saturday, 5/10/08 at 11:59 PM. Five winners will be chosen during a random drawing and will be notified via e-mail to receive the prize. One comment per person.
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
