Thanks for subscribing to the Houston Family Fun newsletter. May is a busy month for most Houston families. In this issue, I’ll share some fun activities as well as insight on making the most of Mother’s Day.

A Meaningful Mother’s Day (& Other Holidays)

Are you anxious about celebrating Mother’s Day? I know, it can be difficult when you consider balancing demands of all the mommies in your life — from Grandmothers to Godmothers. But this is the day to celebrate the important role mothers play in our lives. The holiday doesn’t have to be over-engineered but it is a holiday to treasure.

After hearing concerns about the holiday, I consulted with Kay Albrecht, Ph.D. and president of Innovations in Early Childhood Education. “It’s hard because mothers are used to putting themselves last & considering everyone else’s concerns first, instead of their own,” she said. In many nuclear families, Albrecht points out, there’s “yours, mine and ours” in terms of families to celebrate with. Adults often feel pulled in so many directions that they don’t find time to consider which traditions they’d like to establish with their immediate family members.

How can you minimize the stress and unveil meaningful holidays? First, list your top four holiday traditions & star your absolute favorite. Then, compare your list to your spouse’s. This serves as a good conversation starter. If your favorite tradition is Christmas Eve church and dinner with your family, but your husband’s is spending Christmas Day at his parents’ home, discuss how you could make both of those happen. Focus on passing down a collective four favorite traditions and let go of the rest.

“Perfection is not the goal,” Albrecht said. “Something everyone can live with is the goal & your own assurances that it really was a meaningful experience.”

Another important task in mastering any holiday is speaking with your extended family about the holidays they most treasure and why. Albrecht recommends beginning this discussion when the holidays are not near. Be sure to have the conversation face to face because it’s too easy to misunderstand otherwise, Albrecht pointed out.

How do you start this chat? Simply try saying: “I’m thinking about planning holidays that are meaningful for my family & also for my extended family. I want to talk about that before the next holiday.” Take it from there.

Here is a final tip for enjoying your Mother’s Day and other holidays. Chronicle the things you did do this year. A written record in a journal or on a calendar serves as a reminder of your accomplishments. “Then you have a record that it was successful & you can build on that,” Albrecht said. Happy Mother’s Day!

Moms’ Favorite Gifts ― that you can share with your family members:

• Personalized pottery by your children. Visit the Mad Potter or Young at Art.
• Dedicate the day to replanting the flower beds. The plants serve as a reminder of Mom.
• Spa treatments — manicures, pedicures, massages
• Statue of a mother & child
• Barefoot Dreams® robe
• The Book Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul
• Jewelry — using the child’s birth stone is a cool idea
• Porch swing to enjoy while your kids grow
• Time with your own mom
• Breakfast in bed

Thanks to all of you who sent me your ideas!

I Want to Hear from YOU.

Really, I want to know your thoughts and challenges. Looking ahead to June and Father’s Day,

• Which Father’s Day traditions do you treasure most?
• Do you have a great gift idea?
• How do you balance honoring the various dads in your life?

Summer Fun

The warm days of summer are here! Help your kids find great summer adventures, using the 2007 edition of 100+ Activities for Houston Kids. You’ll find events for enjoying the warm sunshine and indoor activities when the heat is just too much. In addition to seasonal and year-round activities, the book also includes a chapter on family-friendly restaurants throughout greater Houston. When a backyard barbecue is out of the question, look up an eatery that’s right for your family. This book can be used year after year to find fun events for your children. Order your book online or pick up your copy at any of these shops: Barnes and Noble, Berings, Borders, Blue Willow Bookshop, Brazos Book Store, Houston Invitation Service, or Olive Anne in the Heights.

Best Calendar for Houston Families

If you’d prefer a chronological listing of fun kids’ activities happening in Houston in 2007, I have the answer for you. The 2007 Houston Kids Calendar is a downloadable booklet that features a date-by-date account of family-oriented activities and events in our area. For only $10, you gain instant access to this valuable tool for spending quality time with the children in your life. Download your copy and get busy.

Megan F. Salch

"The Kids Activity Queen"

MeganSalch@TellYourTale.com 

www.TellYourTale.com