Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have become our favorite holidays. Those are the days when children show love and appreciation for their parents.
But have you heard of Parents’ Day? Although it may sound redundant, it’s not the same.
In the United States, Parents’ Day is a national holiday held on the fourth Sunday of July. It was established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”
Celebrated on Sunday, July 26 this year, Parents’ Day is the time for us to recognize outstanding parents, celebrate the teamwork in raising children, and support the role of parental guidance in building a strong, stable society, according to the National Parents’ Day Coalition.
This is in line with the Montessori philosophy, which supports parental involvement in child’s education and encourages a partnership between the school and the family.
Celebrate Parents’ Day the Montessori Way
So how can you celebrate Parents’ Day the Montessori way and make it memorable? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Cook a Sunday brunch together. Food preparation and cooking are some of the most enjoyable practical life activities in a Montessori environment! Whether it is slicing hard-boiled eggs, chopping vegetables, or squeezing some orange juice, children love to prepare and serve food.
2. Take a new family photo. As parents, we tend to take hundreds of photos of our little ones, commemorating every step of their way. But it’s the family pictures our children will treasure most when they get older.
3. Create a scrapbook and fill it with items that capture all the amazing moments you’ve shared as a family. Spend time together, decorating the scrapbook with pictures, your child’s drawings, small keepsakes, etc. This could be a fun and creative activity for the whole family to enjoy!
4. Host a virtual family reunion. Invite the grandparents to join in on your family celebration. After all, they are parents too!
5. Share words of appreciation for each other. We often take for granted all the wonderful things other family members do for us. But it’s when we trade expectations for appreciation that we get to have most fulfilling relationships with our loved ones.
Whatever you do, celebrate being together and enjoy each other’s company. Take this opportunity to make some beautiful memories and create a new tradition as a family. Have a Happy Parents’ Day!