Mothers and children. It’s a primal connection that transcends geographical boundaries. Whether your kids live around the corner or halfway around the world, you can still maintain a bond that is constant and strong.
Sure, it was always possible to communicate with out-of-town family members. And if you are of, well…a certain generation, you remember those precious – and expensive – long distance phone calls. Ah, those AT&T commercials. They brought a tear to the eye. But now we live in a world where technology has taken the concept of keeping in touch to a whole new level, virtually bridging those miles to bring families together – virtually.
Here is some Mother's Day inspiration to honor and celebrate Mom wherever she may be.
Start With a Video Call
The first step toward staging a virtual Mother’s Day celebration is to set up a video call. Zoom, Skype and FaceTime are three user friendly apps that can accommodate multiple callers at once. It’s a good idea to coordinate with other family members to make sure everybody is available at the designated time – especially if you are dealing with several different time zones.
Set the Stage
Create a festive atmosphere by hanging balloons or banners in your space, making sure they are visible on the call. You can personalize your background with family photos rotating on a digital frame, or other knick knacks that will be meaningful to Mom.
A Video Call Can Be More Than Conversation
Once you’ve got everybody on board, you can start to think about sharing a memorable family experience. Check out these suggestions for transforming a call into fun, creative virtual time together. Maybe one of them says “I love you Mom” in just the way you envisioned.
Mother’s Day Jeopardy
Is Mom a Jeopardy fan? Why not create a special game board just for her with personalized questions and answers focused on your childhood, your family and Mom’s special interests. Make sure you include the fun stuff. Like, what was the most annoying thing you did in the morning when she was trying to get you and your siblings out the door to school? She will absolutely know the answer - even if you don’t!
Get in the Game
If quiz shows aren’t Mom’s thing, there are lots of other games that easily lend themselves to a video call setting. Bingo, charades or Pictionary can be fun for the virtual group. You might need a little advance planning to make sure everybody has what they need to play.
Arrange a Virtual Activity
You and your family can arrange an activity with or without an outside specialist. Choose a favorite family recipe and cook it together. Play a game while it’s cooking and when it’s ready, sit down and enjoy as a virtual family. Or, if you’re really feeling ambitious, you can hire a chef or wine expert and enjoy a cooking class or wine tasting together from your respective homes. If Mom is into working out, a family fitness experience with a virtual coach might just make her day.
Long Distance Mother’s Day Gifts
If you’ve sent Mom gifts in advance, your video call is the perfect opportunity to see her face light up when she opens them. If you’re dealing with the costs and intricacies of international shipping, there are plenty of thoughtful virtual options like gift cards and vouchers that can be sent with the touch of a button.
After the Mother’s Day Call…The Overture Community is There
A virtual Mother’s Day celebration with the family can surely lift Mom’s spirits. But what about the rest of the day? For those lucky enough to have already rightsized into the Overture 55+ apartment of their choice, the celebration continues. Surrounded by like-minded peers who share their circumstances, Overture residents can appreciate long distance family while sharing life’s special moments with a warm and supportive community of friends. Book a tour today.
Technology makes virtual family connections better. Overture makes the reality of retirement life the best it can be.