Mother’s Day Special: How I Show My Kids I Love Them 

To celebrate Mother’s Day, we asked 10 real moms to share the small, everyday ways they show their love to their kids. Keep reading to see how these simple gestures can inspire and remind you to enjoy the little things that make motherhood so special.

• “I’m a new mom, so I keep a notebook of things all the milestones and cute things that my baby does. I try to write it down right away, and other times, I type it into my phone so I don’t forget. I hope to give it to her one day when she’s grown, so she can read about all the little details that made her special while she was young.”
  —Stephie, 27
  
  
• “My son lives in another country, so I like to surprise him with random things I order online. Sometimes it’s just a shirt, a book, or something for his apartment. He’ll text me when the package arrives and sends photos of him using whatever I sent, saying how much it means to him. It’s my way of reminding him that no matter how far away he is, I’m still thinking of him.”
  —Sheila, 49
  
  

• “I’m a mom of four, so it can get hectic sometimes. My “hack” is to make sure that I greet each child with a smile and a hug first thing in the morning—even if I’m sleepy and not in the mood for it. It’s simple and it only takes a few seconds, but it does help set the tone and puts everyone in a better mood (at least for the first fifteen minutes of the day minimum!).”
  —Elza, 44
  
  

• “It’s not always easy, but I do make an effort to put down my phone and really listen when they talk to me—even if it’s just a random story about Minecraft or what someone said at recess. It’s my way of showing them that they have my attention and that I’m interested in what’s going on in their life.”
  —Jamie, 32
  
  

• “My daughter and her husband just had a baby and they don’t have any helpers. To make things easier for them, I send a batch of their favorite food on the weekends—something homemade that they can heat up whenever they don’t have the energy to cook.
  —Miren, 62
  
  
• “As a teen, my son is always on-the-go since he has soccer practice before school. Every morning, I make him a smoothie packed with fruits, greens, and protein to boost his energy. At first, he didn’t really say much, but now, his friends ask for one whenever they come over. I love that he brags about it (he’ll say things like “My mom makes the best smoothies.”) It started as a way to show him I cared, but now, I’m the one who feels loved and gets kilig whenever he mentions it.”
  —Cecille, 58
  
  
• “When my three-year-old is sick, all he wants is to be close to me. It can get challenging because I work from home, so I set him up on the couch, prepare some snacks, and sit beside him while he watches cartoons and I work. He doesn’t say much, but he always leans into me, so I know just being there is what makes him feel better.”
  —Trina, 26
  
  
• “I let my kids teach me things, even if I already know how to do it. Whether it’s how to draw a Pokémon character or explaining the rules of a new game they played in school, I let them be the expert. It’s my way of helping them build their confidence and showing them that what they have to say is also valuable.”
  —Marion, 47
  
  
• “My baby just turned two and I feel so guilty when I’m not there during the day. To make up for it, I get him ready for bed and read to him every night. I think he looks forward to it because he’s always excited to choose a book. It may not be much, but it’s my way of showing him that he’s special to me.”
  —Kathy, 30
  
  

• “I say “I’m sorry” when I mess up—and I explain why. I don’t expect them to be wrong all the time just because I’m the parent. So when I lose my temper, I make it a point to talk them about it afterwards. I want them to know that I’m not perfect. Hopefully, this means that they won’t go through life expecting perfection from themselves and their future relationships, too.”
  —Pat, 39
  

What are the little things you do to show your kids you love them?  Let us know in the comments below!