Motherhood is a job like no other filled with great pride and , on occasion , unwavering exhaustion . Unlike a typical job , motherhood is a career that is never finished and motivated by pure love . I can speak from personal experience ( unfortunately ) and say that mothers sometimes go unappreciated for all that they do . Mother ’ s Day is around the corner and we should celebrate the amazing mothers out there .

New College has a great bayfront park that includes grassy sitting areas and paved walkways lined with Adirondack chairs . It is a perfect – and free – location to lay out a blanket for a picnic with mom . For an easy picnic lunch pick up a couple of Publix subs and fresh fruit . If a picnic is not for you then stop by for a beautiful sunset before heading off to dinner .

My wife Natasha and I recently went to the updated St . Petersburg Pier and were blown away . The Pier has many different activities from viewing the free public art works to fine dining at the Teak restaurant . Our favorite spot was the rooftop bar overlooking the water ; however , beware of the strong wind gusts . The Pier has plenty of different activities to celebrate moms with all different tastes .

Being a mom is hard work and trust me they could use some wine . This is especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic . The YLD recently hosted a Zoom wine tasting through Michael ’ s on East and it was a blast . The Zoom wine tasting enables socially distanced fun for moms who are at high risk or moms in another city .

Breakfast in bed is a classic , but if you want to add a twist take her to brunch . Sarasota has many excellent brunch spots . Natasha and I enjoy Shore on St . Armand ’ s Circle . The truffle fries are addicting ! Other fun brunch spots include Boca , Jack Dusty at the Ritz , Station 400 , Bricks , Ophelia ’ s on the Bay , and Columbia .

Every family has a recipe that gets passed down from generation to generation . Celebrate Mother ’ s Day by teaching the kiddos in the family the secrets to making grandma ’ s famous dish . Make sure mom does not do the dishes .

Food is a big centerpiece for everyone ’ s Mother ’ s Day and the Covid weight gain is real . Go outside with mom for some exercise before it gets too hot and humid . A few great places to walk , ride , or run are : The Ringling Bridge , Celery Fields , Benderson Park , Legacy Trail , and Rothenbach Park . If your day is already packed with fun , then you can walk your neighborhood after dinner .

It seems like we are always staring at a screen between our phone , Zoom conferences , our work computer , and television . This Mother ’ s Day throw out your screens for the day – or at least part of it . Enjoy quality time with your mom by solving a puzzle , playing a board or card game , reading a book , or tending to the garden .

Take mom on a scavenger hunt that leads to her favorite places or spots like a coffee shop , a cafe for lunch or the spot in the park where she takes a morning run . At each place , give her a note , drawing , or letter from a different member of the family telling her how much she means to them . The kiddos can also be involved by making something for mom and getting to surprise her with these notes .

Natasha and I sometimes overlook and take for granted the great beaches we have less than a mile away . We go months without going and I bet your family is the same . This is a free and easy activity that mom will surely enjoy . Go early because it seems like “ Season ” is now permanent .

Moms are busy and the work never ends . Giving mom alone time and allowing her to do “ nothing ” is a great treat . Buy her a book or set up a Netflix playlist for a Sunday binge watch . You can also include a scented candle or facemask to help her relax .