Not quite like National Pizza Day, but Mother’s Day, to some people, is a commercial, made-up holiday. But for me, Mother’s Day has always been special. 

While my boys were growing up, the Sunday of Mother’s Day meant that I had to stay upstairs in my bedroom until their “surprise” was ready for me. I could tell by the clanging of pots and pans that an attempt was being made to duplicate one of our favorite recipes and that I was going to be greeted by irresistible baked goods and a sink filled with dishes. Although the countertops were often doused in flour and it seemed there were more ingredients outside of the pantry than in it, whatever they made came with a side dish of love…an ingredient I tried my best to pass along to my children.

I always believed that the kitchen and supermarket were akin to invaluable classrooms where kids could learn lessons for life. The majority of the time, I played the role of teacher in those classrooms, planning family meals and creating tasty dishes. But on Mother’s Day — the kids ruled where messes got ignored and messages rose to the top. 

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to let your kids show off the skills they picked up from you — so help them to give you the greatest gifts of all:

1. Let them shop. If you’re preparing a special meal, let your kids be in charge of crafting the shopping list. Let them help decide which items to put into the cart. A trip to the store is a great opportunity to explain why some foods are better than others, compare labels, and plan how the bounty in your cart will be woven into your exciting day ahead. 
2. Let them cook. You don’t have to be an iron chef to teach your kids the essentials about how to throw together a few ingredients to create a delicious dish. Share a few easy recipes with them so they can take a whirl at creating something without your help. If your children are young, be sure to include recipes that don’t require the use of knives or a stovetop and if they want to play in the kitchen without your help…be sure that someone like dad is around to oversee the operation. 
3. Let them create a tradition. In our busy lives while multitasking is commonplace, we miss out on the importance of creating a moment that could become a memory forever. Connecting in the kitchen on this day can be magnetic and attract many other days where you all sit at the table and share more than a meal. Families that eat together share essential conversations, with the table acting as a welcome mat for discussing the ups and downs of your lives.

I’m excited to see what my kids have in store for me this year. As they have grown, their cooking skills have blossomed along their appreciating for the importance of blending nutritious and delicious on the same plate. These days…they are teaching me.

I wish you all a Mother’s Day filled with those that reside in your home and your heart.