Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 10th. Mother’s Day is a special time, though our traditions may be different than in years before. Remember that people 60 and older are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, as well as anyone with underlying health conditions. Even though you may want to see your mom, it’s worth missing seeing her in person this year if it helps to keep her safe from this virus. Here are some ideas about how you can celebrate your mother while keeping her and yourself safe from COVID-19.

• Make time to have a long, uninterrupted phone or video call with her.
• Have her favorite meal or flowers delivered to her.
• If you make a meal or want to deliver a gift yourself, arrange to leave it on her doorstep and follow up with a phone call. Do not go inside.
• Have groceries delivered to her house.
• Hold a virtual bake-off or cook-off. Agree on a recipe and see whose dish comes out best.
• Play a game or watch a movie together over a video call.
• Write her a letter about how special she is and read it to her over phone or video.
• Tell her what you love about her over a phone or video call.
• Play music from a speaker or play a portable instrument outside her home where she can listen from an open window.
• Make a donation to her favorite charity. With so many struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 crisis, it could be the perfect year to donate a worthy cause in your mother’s name.
• Sending her a slideshow of some of your favorite photos of videos together.
• If you really want to see each other in person, there are ways you can do so safely. Some options include meeting for an activity outdoors, like a hike, or you could organize a drive-by parade outside her house. As long as you remain at least six feet apart, the possibilities are endless. Remember to wear a cloth face covering, when you leave home.

We hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day connecting with your mother and children.