Three Unique Ways Lawyers Can Thank Mom This Mother's Day
Lawyers aren't generally known for our soft hearts and boundless sense of appreciation for others, but if there's one person who can crack our jaded, Scotch-soaked exterior, it's Mom.
As James Joyce so elegantly wrote nearly a century ago, "Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world, a mother's love is not." So, as Mother's Day approaches once again, make sure you're prepared to say thanks for all she's done.
When it comes to signs of affection, a card is fine, a phone call is better, a bouquet of roses does quite nicely. But if you're really looking for something special, consider these three tips to help express your Mother's Day appreciation:
Give Her a Day Off
If overworked attorneys know anything, it's the value of time -- not just the billable hour, but time off. Believe me, your mother understands the value of a break as well. Whether working outside the home, raising children full time, or happily retired, mothers often bear more than their fair share of work.
A day off from her responsibilities can be a great stress reliever and a good way to show you care. Take her out for a mimosa brunch or give her gift certificates to the spa. Or, if your parent is still bogged down by maintaining a busy house, juggling jobs or raising children, offer to take those tasks off her hands for a day -- either by doing them yourself or paying someone else to.
Sing Her Up for a Long-Term Gift
Mother's Day is once a year, but your appreciation for your mom shouldn't be. Consider singing your mother up for a gift that keeps giving. Think gift of the month club -- if your mom is like mine, that means Wine of the Month, but cheese, beer, and books are also available. For a healthier option, buy her a membership to a local CSA for a regular supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Or instead of giving her the fish, teach her to cast her own line. Fishing lessons, golf instruction, dancing classes -- depending on your parent's hobbies, a gift certificate for some extra training could be appreciated. Season tickets for her favorite sport or a membership to the local museum can also provide long-term enjoyment.
Make it Personal
The best gifts are the ones that only you can give, so consider making something personal for your mother. You can have childhood photos turned in to oil paintings. For a funnier, much cheaper twist, consider recreating some of your favorite childhood snapshots as an adult. Redo those first day of school snapshots and Sears photo shoots as best you can -- matching outfits and all.
Happy Mother's Day to all lawyers and the moms who made them.
Related Resources:
- 104 Very Specific, Yet Practical, Mother's Day Gifts (New York Magazine)
- Top 5 Lawyer Mom Blogs Just in Time For Mother's Day (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- For Mother's Day, FindLaw's Blog Team Salutes Our Mommas (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Court OKs Son as Dad's Lawyer in Divorce from Mom (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
