No, it’s not chocolate—although that may be true for some and all probably deserve!

It’s encouragement. Plain and simple.

Being a mom is a 24/7 job. Her daily schedule and tasks are often very rote and mundane. Generally not glamorous. And she seldom gets much—if any—positive feedback from those she serves.

It’s not Mother’s Day—and yet it is. Every day is a day to be more intentional about giving Mom some well deserved and much needed affirmation and encouragement.

Appreciation and Initiation

There are a lot of suggestions I might offer to show some love to moms. But most come under the headings of Appreciation and Initiation. I have it on good authority that the following go a long way to encourage a mom.

1. Notice and say something! I’m good about responding if asked, “Did you like dinner.” “Oh man, yes! It was amazing!” My response would have had at least 10x’s the impact had she not had to ask. Most of a mom’s day is filled with recurring tasks that become expected and go undetected. Laundry. Meals. Cleaning. Shopping. Paying bills. Bathing kids. Driving kids to school. Just because it may be the agreed upon division of labor, that doesn’t mean regular acknowledgement and appreciation should just be implied and understood without saying so. “Thank you!”, “This looks amazing!”, “Wow, you’ve been busy!”—all mean more than can be measured. Occasional thank-you notes can make the difference in making her service fulfilling or plain old drudgery.

2. Lend a hand. Just knowing someone has come along side to help can provide some renewed motivation. Again, don’t wait to be asked. Initiate. Step in and help. And if you don’t know what to do, ask the million dollar question, “What can I do to help?”

3. Give her a break. Experience has taught me that most moms won’t ask for a break, even if at a breaking point. So combine the appreciation and initiation by taking care of the kids and letting her go out for coffee with a friend, get a pampering treatment, or just a couple hours to do whatever she wants.

Most of this is directed towards husbands. (Ladies, feel free to leave this post open on his computer browser or even forward to him with a smiley face.) Men, let your kids see you appreciate your wife and help them learn similar skills. All of our lives our better when Mom feels appreciated and supported and fulfilled.

But all of us know a mom, not necessarily yours or your wife, that can use some encouragement. Get creative and bless a mom.

And let me make a shameless, unapologetic plug for a couple resources my wife, Gail, has for moms:

• Inspirational Moments For Moms. Gail has created a 28-day set of cards, each with a single encouraging and motivational thought-for-the-day for busy moms. Sometimes all a mom needs is a simple reminder of why she and her service matters. Click the link above for more info.

• And don’t forget her weekly Periscopes and YouTube channel, Mentoring Moments For Moms.

Show some love to a mom today—appreciate and initiate!