How to Spend Time With Your Mom

Co-authored by Seth Hall

Last Updated: March 20, 2023 References Approved

Mothers work hard. Most moms spend an average of 550 hours each year caring for children.^{[1]
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Research source} Whether it's Mother's Day, your mom's birthday, or just a day you've set aside to spend time together, doing something special with your mom can help show her you appreciate all the time and care she's given you throughout your life.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Eating Together

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Make your mom breakfast in bed. Breakfast in bed is a Mother's Day tradition, as it lets your mom (who might normally make breakfast for the family) get treated for a change.^{[2]
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- Pancakes are a staple of breakfast in bed. They make for a hearty, healthy meal that's just sweet enough to taste like a treat.
- Be sure to bring coffee or tea so your mom can wake up for the big day you've planned together.
2
Go out for brunch. Brunch is often considered a long, leisurely treat, a time for people to catch up while casually eating.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Seth Hall
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.} Brunch is casual enough to allow for choices, like having a mimosa while you eat, but structured enough to facilitate conversation and quality time with someone.

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Get dinner together.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Seth Hall
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.} Sharing a hearty meal is a wonderful bonding experience.^{[5]
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Research source} Eating with someone allows for meaningful conversation while spending quality time together. Family dinners have always been important because it allows family members time to talk and feel united by the meal being shared.^{[6]
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Research source} Try taking your mom out to a fancy restaurant of her choosing, and of course, offer to pick up the bill.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Planning Your Day

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Set aside time. There are plenty of ways you can squeeze face time into your busy schedule, but your mom will probably appreciate if you set aside a whole day to spend together every once in a while. Find a day that works for both you and your mom, and take the day off from work or any other day-to-day obligations you might otherwise be doing.^{[7]
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- While it's important to spend time with your mom, it's also important to know how much time together is too much. Even the best relationships can become a little strained if too much time is spent together.^{[8]
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2
Find common interests. Think about the things your mom enjoys doing in her downtime, and find ways you can enjoy those activities together. This will let you get to be a part of your mom's favorite activities, and you might even see a side of your mother that you don't normally get to see.^{[9]
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- If you don't know what your mom likes to do in her downtime, try asking her. Maybe there's a class or workshop she's been thinking about joining but hasn't had the time. Consider this as your chance to take that class or workshop together.
- If your mom likes history or art, take her to a museum. If she's more of an outdoor person, plan a hike or a long bike ride together. If she likes music, take her to see her favorite musician perform. The activity you pick doesn't have to be perfect. The goal is to spend time with your mom doing something she enjoys.
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Try something new together. Whether you and your mother don't have many common interests, or whether you just want to find a new hobby together, learning a new skill or visiting a new place together can be an exciting adventure and a great bonding experience.^{[10]
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- Try doing something adventurous you wouldn't normally attempt on your own, like hiking or kayaking. Even if you end up hating the hobby, you'll always remember the exciting day you spent doing it together. Just be sure to take all the necessary safety precautions, and consider going with a group if you're inexperienced at the activity you choose.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spending a Day Together

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Pamper your mom. Treat your mom to a spa day, or recreate the experience at home. Whether it's a massage, a facial treatment, or a manicure/pedicure, your mom will love getting pampered with you.^{[11]
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- Make a home-made foot soak. If going to a spa is out of your budget, consider giving your mom a spa treatment at home. Mix one cup of Epsom salt, along with one peppermint tea bag and one chamomile tea bag, into a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 30 minutes, and spend that time chatting and catching up with one another.^{[12]
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- Make home-made face masks. Another great way to bring the spa treatment to your home is to make a relaxing face mask for you and your mom. Papaya makes a great face mask, as the enzymes in papaya have a similar effect as alpha hydroxy acids.^{[13]
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  Research source} Use a blender to combine three tablespoons of papaya pulp, 1/3 cup of oatmeal, and one tablespoon of honey. Lather the papaya mixture in your hands and apply to the face, keeping the mixture out of your eyes and nostrils. Leave the face mask on for about five to ten minutes. Then rinse the mask off with warm water.^{[14]
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2
Take your mom to see a movie. Seeing a movie with someone is a great way to bond, as experiencing the film together helps people feel connected by their emotional responses to the film.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Seth Hall
Life Coach
Expert Interview. 16 November 2021.}
- Most people have a tendency to feel empathy and sympathy for characters whose situations mirror our own.^{[16]
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  Research source} Watch a movie together about a mother/daughter or mother/son relationship, especially a light-hearted comedy.
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Take a walk together. Walking with someone is a wonderful bonding experience. Not only do you both share a workout, you get to explore a park or neighborhood together, all while talking and sharing your thoughts and feelings with one another.
- If you and your mother are both physically able to walk, try going for a long stroll together in a quiet, scenic area. Use the experience as an opportunity to catch up on what's been going in both of your lives while you walk together.
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Play cards or board games together. Playing games is an important habit, as it allows for unstructured fun time with others.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source} Games have the added bonus of bringing back memories of years past: board games are often the focus of family fun nights, and are commonly played on family vacations when the weather turns sour.
- Play board games or card games with your mother to bring back fond memories of years past and create new memories together.

Expert Q&A

Question

What fun things can you do with your mom?

Seth Hall
Life Coach
Seth T. Hall is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”.

Seth Hall

Life Coach

Expert Answer

You can cook together, have a movie night, go out to eat at a restaurant or go shopping together! You can also just text or have a phone call to connect with each other quickly!
Question

My mom spends a lot of time with my older sister. How do I spend time with her? She isn't open to new things and doesn't like to take walks. She doesn't like board games. What do I do?

Community Answer

Observe her and figure out what she DOES like to do, then do that with her, even if that's watching a show you find boring, or just helping around the house. Spending time with her will make these activities more fun. Ask her about her day and tell her about yours. If shes doing something with your sister, ask to be included.
Question

My mom has a lot on her plate. I think she might be stressed and I want to help her relax so we can spend some time together, what should I do?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

One good idea is to make a list for yourself of all the things she has on her plate and think of realistic ways where you could help. E.g. if you don't have a drivers license, you can't help by dropping off your little brother at soccer practice, but you could take on the task of getting him ready, dressed and packed before it's time to go. If you show you love and care for her by helping reduce her stress, she's sure to notice and appreciate it. Don't ask for anything in exchange, but in time suggest an evening with just the two of you, if only an hour, and talk about fun things.