MpMapril_FINAL.pdf Apr. 2014 | Page 24

MOTHERS DAY AGAIN???? Earth Day Melissa Hodge explores the highs and lows of Mothers Day Tuesday April 22 is Earth Day. Home-made cards with glitter and glue, paint prints of tiny little hands, cellophane wrapped soap, and scented writing paper – Uhoh! It must be Mothers Day again! In households around the peninsula, mums are being woken by their excited children bursting to say Happy Mothers Day on this the second Sunday in May. If your home is like mine, it all starts brilliantly – little ones bringing their assortment of pressies and cards to mum who has been told she “must stay in bed” and is “not to do anything”. With each gift unwrapped expectant little faces look to their mummy for the essential excited reaction at receiving yet another macaroni necklace. (I remember one time getting a cup and saucer that was stuck together and had a hole in the middle. Another fabulous gift from the Mothers Day stall that, to this day, I still have no idea what to do with.) Depending on how old the children are, dad might be out supervising in the kitchen with the kids insisting they make mum breakfast in bed themselves. As the smell of burnt toast starts wafting down the hall, an angry outburst occurs between siblings, pots start crashing and dad’s forced calm turns to yelling, mum realises breakfast might be a bit longer than she thought. After 30 years of Mothers Days I know one thing – they can be a tease. It’s the one day of the year you expect your children to behave so, when inevitably they don’t, it’s even harder to handle. So what do we do to make this a pleasurable day, or should we just grin and bear it? Although many say it’s just a marketing creation by the Hallmark company, there’s no denying the significance of the day. Florists are run off their feet with orders, primary schools and kindergartens are busily wrapping gifts for the annual mothers day stall. So take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the good parts of the day. Take that extra time to spend with your children, or parents – the housework can wait. Go for a walk or a bike ride with them, have a picnic, snuggle up and watch a kid’s movie or play a board game. If you have bickering and burnt toast, remember it’s all part of the charm of Mothers Day. This is not the day to be a control freak. Let them clean the kitchen and, if they serve you dry, black toast and cold eggs, pretend you love every mouthful. Soak it all in. They won’t be little for long. And if all else fails, ear-plugs and a sav blanc have been known to work wonders! Dating from 1970, Earth Day is a worldwide movement where everyday people de monstrate support for environmental protection. Schools and community groups across the peninsula will be getting involved. Things you can do – start composting: by turning your food waste into soil, save power: adjust your water heater to a lower temperature, do the same for your heating, use less lighting, turn power off at power source when not in use; get involved with your own ‘Act of Green’. Save Trees and stop the land fill: Put a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker on your letterbox then subscribe online at www.mpmag.com.au to receive Mornington Peninsula Magazine every month delivered by Australia Post, Free of Charge, in an eco friendly plastic bag. Discuss how you can do your bit to save the earth with your family and friends. Let Mornington Peninsula Magazine know what you are doing, post it on our Facebook page or email to [email protected] Our Mums do a lot for us 217-251 Point Nepean Road, Dromana Simply pop into Dromana Hub, fill out an entry form and put it in the entry Barrel. Give something back to your Mum this Mothers Day, by entering her to win one of three amazing packages thanks to 1st drawn prize- worth $260 2nd drawn prize- worth $130 3rd drawn prize- worth $90 Maya Indulgence Pack Includes: Full Body Massage, Aromatherapy Body Scrub Hydrotherapy Bath, Nurturing Facial Maya Body Wrap, & Delicious Spa Lunch Detox Body Treatment Includes: Essential Head & Shoulder Massage Oil & Salt Scrub, Mini Nurturing Facial, Refreshing Bath Soak with Detox Tea provided. Maya Aromatherapy Massage Includes: 1 Hour Hollistic Massage using relation & theraputic techniques to relieve stress and tension Compl Co imentary spa slippers, organic teas and chillded spring water ( 24 The peninsula’s favourite funky SQUARE magazine fresh every month mornington PENINSULA Magazine