AARP Rewards Mother's Day Contest 2026!

[AARPTeri]

Mother's Day is all about love, laughter... and the moments that make moms so special!

Share your Mother's Day tribute by hitting reply to this post - it can be funny, heartfelt or totally unique! Whether it's a funny memory, a simple thank you, or a life lesson she shared - we want to hear about it! 

Not only will you spread some joy, but you will also have a chance to win a special reward, because great stories deserve great prizes!

Need inspiration? Try one of these prompts to get you started!

• The moment my mom totally saved the day for me...
• If my mom had a superpower, it would be...
• Something my mom/inspiring woman in my life told me was...

No purchase necessary to win!  Be sure your entry is your own original story!  Keep it kind, respectful and fun! Check out the official rules here: View Contest Rules

Play our new Mother's Day Mahjong Solitaire Game!

We also have Mother's Day egreeting cards in Rewards, you can view them here 

[trishie199]

I'm not sure how to enter and tell my story. I think I used some of my points to enter the contest, but I was not directed to the page or whatever I needed to do to enter. Is there any way you can check it out or tell me what I have done wrong?

Patricia

[AARPTeri]

There are no points required to enter this (nor any way to use points for this); you simply type your story in a reply, just like you did when asking this question!  We look forward to reading your post!

[jb98837153]

My grandmother was an amazing woman. I loved to spend time with her. She would sew dresses for my Barbie doll that I still have. She taught me how to crochet and knit. Every Sunday when I was little I would go to her house and she would make polenta for me—the best ever!  The one thing I admire about her was her independence. She came to America to take care of her brothers while they worked in the Pennsylvania coal fields before moving to Ohio. There she also ran a grocery store/gas station/rooming house for the single coal miners in the area.  She did it all and I still look at her as an inspiration. 

[DorotheaB151463]

My Mother was the hardest working person I know she had to retired from her job the day she passed at 84. She lived like she was going to live for ever and always happy. On her 75 Birthday I cried all day did not want her to get old she lived 9 more wonderful years. We were a big family on holidays she would make every one’s favorite dish all of us had so much food to take home that made her happy cooking for us. 

[JaniceM111018]

II shout out Happy Mother's day to my mom every year since 2009! My bestest friend I love and miss her dearly!!! She raised 4 of us and worked to provide for us the best she could,we never went without! If you still have your mom cherish every minute!!! Love you mom ❤️ 

[VNaz158019]

Shout out to my dearest mother! One standout out of many....She knew early on that I was special and told me so and provided for my needs as best she could given the hardships. She retells the story of how me being a toddler learned/able to tie my shoes at such a young age. This was so special to her and me! What stood out to you and your mom?

[JanetV641810]

My mother was such a beautiful soul. She was so loving and giving. Always doing for her family and never complained. She gave me the best gift a parent could give which was demonstrating her faith in God.  She was funny and so much fun to be around. She was also quite the fashionista. always dressing her best. My daughters and I love to share Nana stories and always get a good laugh. We miss her dearly! 

[cb28584535]

The most wonderful response my mother ever said to me was that she would support my decision in whatever I chose to do. And she did! This acknowledgement that I was a grown, confident and caring woman who could make informed decisions about life changing events stayed with me throughout the rest of my time with her before her passing. It's also been a model for how I respect my son's and granddaughter. Thank you Mom!

[LisaA621276]

Well of course I know my mom is amazing. She is an Army Veteran’s wife, mother of 3, Nana to 6, and great-grandma soon to 2. She will surprise you with your favorite foods and accomodate anyone as best she can, but the thing I love about my mom most is her ability to teach without letting you always know that’s what she is doing or even giving that advice when it’s needed but still just routing you down a path instead of saying this is the way. Example best is when I was first dating my now husband and then found out he had a child. I said mom what do I do? She said honey I can’t answer that for you. That’s something you have to think about but know that you’re taking on a family not just a man. We hadn’t been dating long but I knew that I really liked this guy. Of course right!! So I contemplated this situation and I put it in her perspective instead of hey he has a kid. Now I have a husband and a wonderful (step)son that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Thanks mom I love you so much!! 

[CindyH869876]

Oh what to say about my mom, an 84 year old lady with the spunk of a 30yo. She always had a good sense of humor while still maintaining a fairly “strict” code of Christian conduct with us 3 kids. I have seen through the years  how she has changed her views on social and cultural topics. She grew up in a home that was less than tolerant of others who were deemed different. I appreciate that she has made an effect to be more open minded and accepting. On this Mothers Day I am thankful for her letting me be creative, for guiding me and well for keeping herself healthy enough to make it to 84….and hopefully well beyond, so I can continue to enjoy her wonderful company. 

[Patricia1D67865]

My mother raised 5 kids and saved money by canning vegetables. She knew how to stretch a dollar.

[ocean7chic]

There are so many things a mom does that makes them special; they are patient, love unconditionally, make sacrifices to ensure the needs of their child(ren) are met and the list goes on.... they are irreplaceable! 

My mom always saved the day for me when she would stay up late to help me with school projects, even when she was tired and it was my own fault for waiting until the last minute! She always made time to listen to my problems about social life and school or to just share things with her that I wanted to talk about. These 2 things have played a major role in my life now that I am a mom. When my kids come to me with last minute school assignments I remember how greatful I was that my mom expressed disappointment but let it go and just helped me even though I now realize how frutstrated (and tired) she must have been. Now I am able to do the same for my children. I also realize how important it is be available to my kids anytime they want to talk about concerns, joys or anything they want to tell me about. No matter how busy I am I will never be too busy to give them as much of my time as they need.

Thank you mom for teaching me how to be an amazing mom. I love you!

[PhillipsFamily]

My amazing Mom was the 3rd of 10 children (spread out over a span of almost 20 years)! Being raised on a farm, she was responsible for helping to raise her younger siblings while the older extended family members worked out in the field (almost like a second mother). That involved meal prep three times a day and loads of laundry, not to mention the neverending baskets of diapers to wash. She had plenty of experience before raising her own family with four daughters. She must have thought raising us girls was easy and, although she didn't work outside the home, she gave it her all. We were taught responsibility and to embrace life and each other. 

[BroadwayBelle1]

My mother's legacy has outlived her ultimately short time on this earth - her faith.  Always destined for something greater, she is enjoying her full legacy in heaven with her mother, the Lord, Jesus, and countless others.  Her ministry was her passion from adulthood onward, costing her relationships in the process, but her eyes were firmly on the prize.  As a mother, she put my spiritual education first and foremost, introducing the Bible to me before I could read and encouraging daily habits of prayer, thanksgiving, and the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).  She was my ultimate rock on earth, and as her birthday approaches this year (on Mother's Day once more), I enter what I often call my 'crying or blue month' where I miss her most.  May is a big month in my relationship with her.  Born on Mother's Day, she passed away on May 30, 2023, after valiantly fighting cancer on three separate occasions.  By time number three, the Lord was ready to call her home, but I was not ready to say goodbye.  The road without her is tough, my life is now split into a 'before' and 'after' (before her death and after).  While I take comfort and solace in knowing that we will be reunited once more in heaven, and I know that she is much happier and healthier up above than on earth, the aching feeling remains.  I take solace first and foremost in the Lord, and in memories of her.  Until we meet again, I strive to live by her example, as a prayer warrior.  Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength'.

[BarbaraG730026]

my mom has been passed away 28 years and every day I miss her more. She was the best mom cook friend you could ask more.  Happy Mothers Day in heaven 

[AliceK12866]

My mom called me her miracle child. She had 7 miscarriages before me. 4 years ago I learned that I had A- blood, which came from my mother. Which is the reason my mother had miscarriages . Wish schools had a health class for every student !! Would have been so important for me to know that I had a high (95%) likelihood to cause a miscarriage. That is why I was my mom’s miracle.

[EiM243648]

Back in middle school, I came home one afternoon and my cocker spaniel, Duke was nowhere to be found.  I searched every room in the house—nothing.  No tags jingling, no tail wagging, just silence.  Panicked, I called my mom at work.  Without hesitation, she left early and came home to help me look.  We walked the neighborhood for hours, calling his name, checking yards.  No Duke.

After that, she went out and bought poster boards, and we made missing dog signs, hanging them on telephone poles all around the neighborhood.  Still nothing.  That night, I went to bed heartbroken, convinced he was gone forever.  Then I heard it—a faint whimper.  I looked under the bed and there he was— wedged tightly between my bed and the wall. Duke had been there the whole time.  We still laugh about it to this day—it’s just one of the many moments that showed how my mom was always there for me!

[mktosue]

    My Mom, Shirley was a well-read lady with a precise vocabulary.  She was an excellent wordsmith who valued the economy of word. In her honor I created this Haiku.

                Words Shirley crafted

           The scorch of a pithy barb

              Praise meant to inspire

Thanks for the opportunity to stretch my brain a little!

[RobertK4666]

My mom accidentally put a cup of salt into a kool aid mix instead of the sugar!  It is a longstanding joke with our family that has helped all of us learn kindness, forgiveness, grace and to this day it is a great source of giggles!

[AshleyS153105]

My momma is truly the kindest, most loving person I know, and anyone who gets to be around her feels it instantly. The way she shows up for others, loves so deeply and gives without ever expecting anything in return is something really special. 

She has given her all to take care of me (and my siblings) which led to shaping me to who I am today. I'll never be able to fully put into words how much that means to me. 

I'm so grateful for everything she does for me - and for all the extra love she gives to my pup, Hershey! 

There's no doubt, she's the best momma out there and she's MINE!  

We bond over our daily AARP findings - so, momma (Debbie Senters) if you are reading this, I love you! 

[avalon44]

When I wqs about 16, we lived in the country and had dirt bikes. We kids used to ride all of the time and were always having spills or getting banged up. My stepdad finally told us we could no longer ride the bikes. Well I slipped out one afternoon and took one of the bikes for a ride back in the woods. Sure enough I had a spill and got some cuts and bruises on my knee. I returned home, came silently in through the basement door and was cleaning myself up so my stepdad wouldn't see. Suddenly around the corner came my mother, and i could see that her knee was bleeding also. She had secretly taken the other bike out for a ride, and yes......she had a spill! We laughed about it forever afterwards and never did tell my stepdad. It was a fun secret between the two of us!

[AnneY945739]

My favorite memory of my mother was this.

Every year my mom's church would have a special mother's day lunch for the mom's and their guests. And to make it more fun the lunches would always be themed. Sometimes it would be a garden party, favorite desserts or cherished memories. This particular year, when my mom called to ask if I was coming to the Mother's Day lunch, I replied, of course and asked what the theme was going to be. She thought about it for a moment and then said, " I remember something about hats. I think we are to wear our funniest hats."

So the following weekend we set off to find the most ridiculously, funny hats we could find.

 We had a blast trying on all kinds of hats; straw hats, berets, hats with fruits and feathers until we finally settled on a large, floppy, floral, bedazzled hat for my mom and a multi-colored clown wig for me.

On Mother's Day, giggling, we proudly strode into the church confident that our hats were going to be the most notable hats there. And boy were we right!!  For there, sitted at the luncheon table were all the mothers and their guests, not wearing silly hats as my mom had incorrectly remembered the theme to be, but dressed in their finest Victorian costumes adorned in flowing dresses, lace gloves and "large Victorian hats"

I will never forget the bewildered and amused look on those ladies faces staring back at us. Neither will I ever forget what was my all time favorite Mother's Day celebration with my mom.

Thank you mother for the most wonderful memories!!!

[DorotheaB151463]

My Mother was the hardest working person I know she had to retired from her job the day she passed at 84. She lived like she was going to live for ever and always happy. On her 75 Birthday I cried all day did not want her to get old she lived 9 more wonderful years. We were a big family on holidays she would make every one’s favorite dish all of us had so much food to take home that made her happy cooking for us. 

[PandoraG811239]

This is about my oldest daughter who is a mother of two. This story is a span of about five years. She had a 33 pound tumor removed which was thought to be reason kidneys were not fully functioning.  She was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease, a rare disease that less than 1% of the population has. Her daughter's dad died unexpectedly. A year later her husband and father of her son died.  She has continued being a caretaker during this time.  She started dialysis a little over a year ago, doing dialysis three times a week. She had hernia surgery earlier this year caused by removal of tumor. She has been there for her children, raising her son who will graduate high school in June. I am amazed how strong my daughter is. She continues her life the same as before dialysis. She attends all family functions and even hosts some herself. She never complains about anything or being tired. I am so proud of her!  I don't think I would be as strong as she has been.

[MaggiB708253]

My mom had six children and every one of us felt like we were her favorite. 

[SarahG647236]

I love seeing my daughter in "Mom mode". She is so patient and explains thoroughly to my young grandchildren how/why things work the way they do.  She makes sure they eat healthy (getting treats here and there), stay active, and is so good at re-directing them when they don't make the best decisions.  It is such a blessing to become a grandparent and see your children become amazing parents! 

[AnnaH348637]

my mother, who is no longer with me, was a hard lover, a strong lover, and an amazing woman. She taught us everything we know she raised seven of us by herself and spoke the Lord of God to us every single day in hopes that one day we would also find the Lord in which we did. It’s seven of us and I’m the youngest child and I have so many members for my mom. she was my hero. She was my true life. She is my queen. She showed me what it is to be a mother. She taught me how to be a mother. I now have three children and seven grandchildren and every day it brings like to my life, knowing that everything she taught me has come into place I miss her every day. I carry beautiful memories. She made me the woman I am today. I’m truly blessed and proud to say I love my mommy

[mz4814]

It wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I realized how much of an influence my mother’s laidback parenting style had on me. I fully appreciate how much time she spent caring for us and how much she enjoyed just being with my brothers and me. She was patient and never lost her sense of humor no matter what nonsense we threw at her! Thanks, Mom, for teaching me how to be an easygoing, confident mother like you were!

[CynthiaT524941]

My mom is a wonderful woman, she's no wonder woman but a wonder woman to me. She sacrificed many things  in order for us to eat. She's my shero, she hasn't been many places in her life cause she had to work a lot. She's gentle and deserves a lot lot, wish I could  give her the world. Love you mom.

[LolitaB634327]

Words can’t describe how thankful I am that the universe allowed and granted me the ability and access to conceive children and become a mother. And grew into the mother that I am today of three wonderful children!