For example, if you’re just hanging out in the living room, you could turn to your mom and ask her what her favorite thing to do was as a little girl. You’ll probably get a few interesting stories this way! Research even shows that families who share stories about their family history have closer bonds, and the children in those families tend to have more self-confidence. Asking your mom to talk about her history will benefit you both. [1] X Research source
For example, if you notice that she seems stressed, you could say something like this: “You seem really stressed right now, Mom. Are you okay?” You might say, “Is everything ok? I can see that you’re upset. “[3] X Expert Source Steven Hesky, PhDLicensed Clinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 2 September 2021. Asking your mom about her day is another good way to engage with her. She probably asks you about what you did that day; why not return the favor?
You don’t have to write a novel to make an impact. Even a short “Hi Mom! I hope your day is going well” is enough to show that you care about your mom’s happiness.
Good apologies incorporate the “3 R’s”: regret, responsibility, and remedy. This means you: Express regret for the hurt you caused. Take responsibility for your actions, without making excuses. Offer a remedy; a suggestion for what you’ll do differently next time. For example, if your mom points out that you forgot to take out the trash again, say something like “I’m sorry I forgot to take out the trash. I know that meant more work for you. I’ll put a reminder in my phone for Wednesdays so I remember next time. ”
For example, if she asked you about your day and you shrugged her off instead of talking, that might have hurt her feelings. If you’re too busy to talk at that moment, express that clearly by saying something like “Sorry, but I have a lot of homework to finish right now, Mom. Is it okay if we can talk later?” This shows that you do care about connecting with her, even if you can’t do it right then. Moms can do things that embarrass you; in fact, sometimes it can feel like they specialize in it! Try to imagine why your mom is doing what she’s doing. It could be that she’s babying you because she wants you to feel secure, not because she thinks you’re immature. And hey, you can always ask her why she’s doing what she does.
The opposite of this also goes. Even though your mom is probably happy to listen and help you with your issues, you also don’t want the only times you talk to your mom to be when you dump your problems on her. If you’re feeling great about something, have some good news to share, or you just saw a great movie, chat with her about that, too.
For example, if your mom loves Star Wars, fold her an origami Yoda! While it’s also very cheap to make, this gift shows that you pay attention to her interests and will take the time to brighten up her day. [6] X Research source You could also make your mom a “coupon book” with things she can redeem, such as “one breakfast in bed” or “one bad joke upon request. ” Mix tapes may be too “old school” for you, but you can put together a playlist of songs that remind you of your mom, or songs that make you happy when you’re feeling down. Share this playlist with her, and whenever she hears that song, she’ll think of you.
Breakfast in bed is a tried-and-true classic. While many people save it for Mother’s Day. The truth is that your mom will probably appreciate breakfast in bed on any weekend! Take time to figure out what her favorite foods are and make them for her. If she likes something that’s too complicated for you, or that you don’t know how to make, ask her to teach you how to make it a few weeks before you want to make it for her.
Outings don’t even have to cost anything. For example, if you’re both animal lovers, suggest that you and your mom go to the local animal shelter and play with the animals. Many rescue animals need socialization, so in addition to making your mom happy, you’ll also be helping cats, dogs, and the occasional ferret. If she’s feeling upset, ask her if she’d like to go for a walk with you. You could also distract her by asking her to help you with your homework. [9] X Expert Source Steven Hesky, PhDLicensed Clinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 2 September 2021.
To help you remember important dates, put them into your phone’s calendar. If you’re friends with your mom on Facebook, for example, the site will remind you about her upcoming birthday.
