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 

[AlisaG39951]

Mother of 4 girl,a son that's deceased. He would always gift me Channel#5.Now who's going to gift me this fabulous fragrance 

[SereneSeagull]

Sometimes our wonderful memories can bring a smell to our nose just by the memories.  

[jc2583878]

My Mother became a widow in 1969, when my dad had a massive heart attack. It devastated her, and she went through a lot of emotional aching, but she focused on us girls. He was 50, and somehow, she found a way to raise four strong minded independent women, all on her own. She would clean people's houses for a living to make ends meet, while making sure homework was done. I believe it was her strong faith that got her through and all of us through as well. We learned how to become good mothers and women due to her instilling her strength in all of us. I am so proud she was my mother, and I miss her a lot.

[PattyR231198]

A woman first, a mother second!!!!

my mom had 8 of us in 11 years; all single births 

she loved children 

I appreciated that even being a mom, she was a women first. 

[annrico1]

Mom's gone, but not numerous great memories. She was the best.

[kf2304]

My mom was the strongest person I have ever known. She lost a father when she was young, her own young son at age 7 (hit by a drunk driver while crossing the road), and her husband when I was a young teenager. She was part of that "Greatest Generation", who came of age during the depression and then endured WW II, losing other family members. Growing up, we didn't have much, but what we always had, in abundance, was her unconditional love and support. Because of how she had to manage the many challenges life brought her way, she always told me to be independent, to make sure I could take care of myself, earn my own money, so that I could be secure, should the worst come to pass. She set the bar high for me, and supported and encouraged me, telling me that it was her duty to make sure that I used the gifts God had given me to their fullest extent, for myself and for others, something I still tell my kids today. I owe much of who I am and what I have to her. She was just an ordinary person- a bookeeper by day, part-time waitress, part-time seamstress by night and on weekends - but the lessons she passed on to me were invaluable, making her extraordinary in my eyes. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about her, and thank God for the wonderful blessing He gave me...in the form of my wonderful mother. 

[lg3827]

My father and mother often found humor in uncomfortable situations. When my father died at 55 it was a shock to the entire family. After his funeral, the minister came to our home. He was talking to my mother and asked, very seriously, if she thought my dad would have been happy with the service. She replied that she thought he would have preferred that someone else was in the coffin. The minister was speechless and I had to leave the room to keep from laughing. My dad would have loved her response. 

[BrianHinton]

I was a shy child with medical problems and had a hard time fitting in with others my age. My mother was always very encouraging to me. She would say something like, "You can be anything you want. You just need to apply yourself." It took me many years to learn how to apply myself and find what I wanted to do in life. Over the years, I would always say to others, "I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up." It became a joke. I believe I figured out what my mother meant when she said I needed to apply myself. She passed away in 2008 but still has a place in my heart. Now that I'm retired, I still joke that, "I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up..."

[SereneSeagull]

Liked your post, @BrianHinton .  I think we all are!  Never growing up is fun!

[LeslieP378862]

My mom, although suffering from dementia can still melt my heart with her smile.

[SereneSeagull]

@LeslieP378862 Smiles and laughter transcend 👍

[MiguelP817586]

My mother is the strongest person I know. She has all my respect and admiration. She worked her whole life to give me and my sibilings the best she could. She went through several traumatic events in her life and yet she never gives up. Now, she is retired and unfortunately dealing with some health issues. Now it is my turn to be strong for her. I love you with all my heart mom.

[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!

[MartiW348556]

My mother is 88 years old. She did not admit she was getting old until her last birthday which is on September 6th 2025. She has been married three times first to my alcoholic dad and then to Mr Jack and Jon was the love of her life. He passed away 3 years ago short of being ninety. She has buried all three husbands. But Jon was the love of her life she has not been the same since. She would not like it if she knew I was doing this contest for her. She has struggled all her life she went back to college when she was 37 and got her college degree in elementary education and was an educator for 14 years until she met Mr Jack. When he passed away I thought she would lose it but she met Mr Jon at the gym. They had pizza together and beer and lived happily ever after that is until his death. He loved football and children as much as she did. They went to the gym three days a week and worked out of the YMCA 3 days a week. In the afternoon they would swim. She is getting very old now and feeble and can't remember things. She is taking a nap now. She is my rock. She has always been there for me. I remember when I went back to college and I was 34 years old and how proud she was of me. I was 37 years old when I graduated also. With a degree in elementary education. Just like her. I retired after 24 years almost 25. But, times have changed a lot since then. She has a heart of gold just like her mother. My grandmother whom I loved with all my heart also. After she divorced my dad we lived with them for a while. They are married for 53 years and my grandfather was one month shy of being 88 when he passed and my grandmother was 5 months shy of being 88 when she passed. She was 17 and he was 35 when they married. She had three kids just like my mother. My mother was the oldest just like I was except my mom had a younger brother and sister and I had two younger brothers. We all love them very much. They were our salvation. Anyway, the reason I think my mom deserves a Mother's Day recognition is because she loves everyone she meets. And they love her. That is why I'm hoping that she wins this award. Marti Waller

[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!