Co-Parenting: Celebrating Mother’s Day

In most cases, when the Court adopts a holiday schedule the Court includes both Mother’s and Father’s Day. This is considered a celebration of the child’s parent. Although many parents are not best friends when their relationship ends, parents need to understand that they share a child and portraying to the child a friendly relationship with lead to long-term emotional health. As such, sending a small gift from the child for Mother’s Day shows acts of fostering and encouraging the relationship between the parent and the children.

We’ve put together two (2) craft options that are minimal in price, under $15.00.

OPTION ONE- Terracotta Pots

Supplies-

1. A medium size terracotta pot (Lowe’s and Home Depot both have them for under $2.00 per pot)
2. Paint Brushes (purchase through Amazon or Dollar Tree);
3. Paint (purchase through Amazon or Michael’s) and pick colors based upon what is going to be painted;
4. Paint Pen (purchase at Michael’s only if going to write something on the rocks);
5. Table Cloth (purchase at Dollar Tree) or old newspaper;
6. Weight cup or glass; and
7. Paper plates.

Steps to Complete-

1. Wash and dry the terracotta pot.
2. Cover the surface where the painting is going to occur with old newspaper or a plastic tablecloth you pick up when you’re gathering the supplies.
3. Set up paper plates for the number of children participating. Put the needed paint colors on the paper plate, about the size of a quarter.
4. Set up a couple cups, heavy enough not to spill, near the paint.
5. Allow the children to paint pictures or sayings on the terracotta pot.
6. Let the terracotta dry overnight, and then the next plant an inexpensive plant from your local nursery in the terracotta pot.

OPTION TWO- Canvas Flowers

Supplies-

1. Canvas (buy a single canvas purchased through Michael’s);
2. Paint Brushes (purchase through Amazon or Dollar Tree);
3. Paint (purchase through Amazon or Michael’s) and pick colors based upon what is going to be painted;
4. Paint Pen (purchase at Michael’s only if going to write something on the rocks);
5. Table Cloth (purchase at Dollar Tree).

Steps to Complete-

1. Cover the surface where the painting is going to occur with old newspaper or a plastic table cloth you pick up when you’re gathering the supplies.
2. Set up paper plates for the number of children participating. Put the needed paint colors on the paper plate, about the size of a quarter.
3. Set up a couple cups, heavy enough not to spill, near the paint.
4. Lightly wet a paper towel and brush it on the canvas, it should not be wet.
5. Pick colors that are similar to flowers- use non-toxic pain to paint the child’s hand. Once painted, place the hand near the top the canvas, push the children’s fingers together with only a little space between the fingers to look like flower petals. Paint the hand again, with the same color or complimentary colors, and redo the process until there are a few flowers.
6. Below the painted hands, have the child paint a vase.
7. Connect the paints hands/flowers to the vase with green paint to make stems.
8. Allow the canvas to dry, and then have the child paint their name and date of birth on the back of the canvas on the wooden portion.