What NYC Moms Really Want For Mother’s Day

As Moms, we could probably name a dozen gifts we'd like to receive for Mother’s Day, but at the end of the day, I think what every Mom really wants is someone to make her feel appreciated.

For an action or gift to say: “I See You.” No matter what we do in our life, we want to be recognized for our work and feel that those efforts make a difference. To me, this is what Mother’s Day is about. We hope that the people around us see the efforts we put in as a Mother, and that our family validates them. As the founder of Beyond Mom, a community that celebrates the many sides of a woman besides the basic label of “Mom,” I want to encourage you (especially you Dads and Husbands out there) to honor and validate not only the Moms in your life, but the BEYOND MOMS- the woman who is also a thinker, a doer, a mover, and a creative. How can you let her know that you SEE the WOMAN in the MOM?! Let me give you some ideas:

All women think about their bodies. How it looks. How it feels. How we want it to be better. This is a truth. And as a woman, it’s really important to have the time and space to explore this truth. One of the shockers I find repeatedly is that many women don’t make time to work out or explore new activities because they don’t think their husband can handle the kids or they feel guilty doing something for themselves. Go Beyond gentleman, and not only treat your woman to a beginner series at a yoga studio or several barre classes at Fly Wheel, but assure her that you’ve got the kids! Plan a special Dad and Kid day to the museum or to a musical event. Plan out a healthy lunch menu that you will prepare for them. Assure her that she can exit and that everything will be A-Ok. If you’re looking for more specific ideas, send me an email- I’m happy to help!

Part of Being a Mom is Having Time with The Person Who Helped Make Her a Mom. Mother’s Day is traditionally a family day and I LOVE that. But perhaps give her a special gift in addition that is romantic and about the two of you: tickets to the theater, an evening at a jazz club, an afternoon of spring shopping? Letting her know that you see the foundation of her motherhood in relation to your love is so important and will make her feel so loved.

Do something simple but meaningful! If my thesis is correct, that we all just want to be “seen” then tell her that you SEE her. Write a love letter, sing a song, paint a picture, however you can creatively express to the Mom in your life that you see her attributes, her efforts and her accomplishments, then express it. It’s sometimes those simple but meaningful moments that really grab me and validate everything I work toward.

If you are a Mom reading this and want to honor the Mom who raised you, write her a beautiful card and tell her how she helped to shape the Mother you have become. I know that the appreciation and gratitude for my Mom has only grown since I’ve had my son, and what better way to let your Mother be seen than by telling her how she has impacted you and the way that you embrace Motherhood.

We are multi-dimensional as Moms and Women. When you can recognize the many sides of us and express that appreciation you will make us feel loved, appreciated, and SEEN. And that feeling is the best feeling of all.

Happy Mother’s Day to the Mamas in Your Life!

Randi Zinn

Randi Zinn is the founder of Beyond Mom and randizinn.com. Born from her own experience of motherhood, and the desire for a more connected community, Beyond Mom offers mixers, events and retreats for forward-thinking New York moms. She encourages moms to cultivate a life “Beyond Mom”—one that embraces the gifts of motherhood but expresses all that they are as individuals: creators, businesswomen, thinkers, friends and so much more. Randi has partnered with Comptoir Des Cottoniers, SoulCycle, Mio Skincare, TOWN Real Estate, The Mother Company, Body Conceptions and IntenSati. Her writing has appeared in FitBump, Epoch Times and Well Rounded NY. She is a certified yoga instructor through Laughing Lotus NY and has taught since 2008.