What do you expect from your child on Mother's Day? Do you get disappointed if your child doesn't lavish you with affection? Doesn't get you a beautiful card?

When our children are toddlers, they don't keep track of Mother's Day. Someone has to tell them when it's coming up. And how wonderful it is to get little hugs and kisses from them. Preschoolers aren't much better at keeping track of the day, but their hugs and kisses are just as welcome.


  If we're lucky, we might get a personalized drawing.

As kids get older, they may be more aware of Mother's Day, but they don't always express their love and appreciation the way we might want them to. Justine van Engen writes about this in her article "Have I Told You About My Gifted Children?"  She talks about the poem her child wrote for her in second grade, an acrostic poem to spell out "MOTHER."  It started with "Mammal," then "Omnivore."

Now I find that cute and creative, but if you're expecting something with hearts and flowers, it can be a disappointment. But should you be disappointed?  What about when our children get older, move away, and forget to call you on Mother's Day?  Should you be disappointed then?  Does it mean your child doesn't love you? 

I don't think so. For me, the best thing are the calls I get from my son telling me about something that's important to him. So what if it's not on Mother's Day? The fact that he thinks about me and wants to share the information says a lot.

Of course, that Skype call today from him in Iraq said a lot too.