In case you didn’t know it already, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Heads up to daughters and sons everywhere, it’s time to think about the person who hopefully nurtured you through the developing stages of your life and has provided you with ongoing support and unwavering love. However, I think it is important to not just think about moms, but also those female figures in your life who have given you guidance, a helpful hand, companionship and protection. These could be moms or mother-in-laws or mother figures or step mothers or foster mothers or simply mentors who are women.

Mother’s Day may be a commercial day, great for cards and flowers, but it is important to take a little bit of time to honor these women, all gifts aside. The mother or mother figure pretty much across the human (and animal kingdom) is the protector. In my family, my wife is the “mama bear” – the one that will throw herself in the way of any type of physical or psychological danger to protect her offspring. The mother takes on various forms in our society, and I must admit, I don’t know each and every mom personality-type out there. Heck, there are probably dads or other caregivers who assume the “mom” role. Regardless, this is their day, and you should thank them for their efforts, love and encouragement.

I do have to mention the dads out there (but obviously we have a day as well). Without dads, there would be no moms. But those moms are really great reality checks for us dads. They keep us in line. Heck, my wife calls me her fourth kid…perhaps because I act like one so often? Who knows. What I’m trying to say here is that it is important for dads to recognize their family counterparts as well on Mother’s Day. (Hey dads, did you buy your wife a card yet?)

I’m not sure if Father’s Day gets the same type of treatment. But that is fine in my book. On Mother’s Day, mom gets to be queen for a day, instead of indentured servant, slave, project manager, cook, chauffeur, cleaner, organizer, tutor, doctor, psychiatrist, fashion consultant, mentor, entertainer, social coordinator…need I go on? Of course there are professional moms who add “day time bread winner” to the mix as well. Back in 2007, I figured out that if my wife, a “stay at home mom,” were to earn a salary based on the “jobs” that she does running the household, she would pull in over $240,000!

I have pointed this out before. You don’t have to spend gobs (or any) money celebrating moms. While it is great to keep the economy chugging along (and I don’t want any moms telling me they didn’t receive any lavish gifts because of this article), I believe there is more beauty in spending time remembering and honoring moms past and present. A few years ago, I wrote a fun poem for Mother’s Day: “Twas the Night Before Mother’s Day” (there is even a video reading of it with my kids). It’s all about taking the time to be creative and having some fun and spreading smiles.

Kids, Moms or Both?

Sometimes, though, I wonder if Mother’s Day is more about the kids and their actions recognizing their moms. I simply love those hand-made cards or crafts created at school. Or even better, the coupons for doing chores or housework or breakfast in bed – those are fantastic. I’m amazed at the creativity that comes from kids when they honor their moms.

And let’s talk about hugs! Those a priceless! As a dad, I look forward to hugging my kids every day. I think on those special days, the hugs are better and stronger. And moms definitely know how to give those and slip in a snuggle as well.

I don’t know if you have seen those AT&T commercials recently with Beck Bennett interviewing kids or not about the best type of cell phone. (I have to have a gadget spin here, sorry, I am HighTechDad.) Those commercials are super cute and quite popular. Well, AT&T contacted me to tell me about a modification to that ad campaign that is all about Mother’s Day (which is appropriate given the cuteness factor of the kids in the ads). And it’s all about hugging and moms. Here’s the commercial which just started airing:

http://youtu.be/TkKJR38nEgE

Did you like it? Well, you can send it via social media or email to your wife or mother or mother figure in your lives, customized. Just head over to: https://attmothersday.com/.

Once she gets the digital video card, be sure to follow it up with a physical hug if you can. If she is far away, give her a call. And if you can’t do that, just spend a few minutes thinking about her and the positive things she has done for you.

So go out and celebrate your mom or that mother figure in your life! Happy Mother’s Day!

Disclosure Text : While I was not compensated by AT&T for this post, I was given a device unrelated to this campaign for an upcoming reader giveaway so stay tuned for that. All opinions within this article are my own. More information can be found in my About page as well as here.

HTD says: Hoping that moms all over enjoy their day!