Only 3 days left until Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, as I’m sure you’re well aware. You’re probably planned something for your own mom and the other significant moms in your life (if not, get busy!); you may even have planned an event for your clients who are mothers.

But what about your team? Especially those moms who are spending the better part of their day working – are you remembering to honor them?

Many of our employees are moms, struggling to raise their own children in the face of incredible odds. Some work two jobs; balance their own education and careers, and then travel long distances back to their homes to try to be the best moms they can be.

You’ve seen the glow that appears on the faces of your employee-moms as they talk about their sons and daughter, grandsons and granddaughters. You’ve seen them bring a child to work with obvious pride and a sense of accomplishment. You may have held baby showers, invited children to attend Easter egg hunts, and, in other ways included their children in your community.

On Mother’s Day, find a way to honor these individuals in your organization. Here are some ideas - just a few, but maybe they’ll help you creatively find a way to honor your team members:

• Create a bulletin board and invite each employee-mom to bring in pictures of her children. You can do it simply and quickly so it’s in place in time for Mother’s Day. Guests and clients alike will enjoy seeing pictures of children; employees will feel honored and proud to share them. You can also invite employees to bring in their children and take digital or Polaroid pictures and instantly display them.
  
  
• Order flowers for each employee-mom for Mother’s Day. Maybe a simple corsage or a single flower for them to pin on their work tops; maybe a long-stemmed rose or a small bouquet for each mom. Flowers, especially ones we can wear, show the world that we’re remembered and loved.
  
  
• Write a personal note to each employee-mom, thanking them for their contribution to your work community. “Being a mother takes guts, hard work and a whole lot of love,” says author Judy Blume. Let each mom on your team know that you recognize this effort on her special day.