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 

[SereneSeagull]

So true.

[CarolS749755]

I love you Mom, you are my anchor your sweet little girl

[KimberlyD697888]

When I was a child, something, my mother told me was, “If you don’t like, it lump it.” I was a picky eater, and she said that in response to me letting her know I didn’t care for her dinner (in less kind words).

I took great offense that my mother would talk to me in such a manner. I pouted and ate the dinner she so graciously provided. Perhaps a part of it was passed off to the cat under my chair, but I never went hungry.

Mom worked hard as a realtor five or more days each week. We had a traditional household where Mom also was in charge of cleaning and cooking. I took it all for granted back then and fussed like any child might.

Looking back, my mother taught me that I should be grateful for what has been provided, and opened my pallet up to choices other than that of a fussy child. I also learned to respect the effort she put into all that she did for the family.

When raising my own children, I never used mom‘s phrase, but the meaning of it stuck with me. My children had to try at least a bite of whatever was prepared . If they didn’t like it, they could pour themselves a bowl of cereal, but I provided the one dinner that I planned, shopped for ingredients, and worked lovingly to make. Neither of them is picky now but they had been when they were little. I was not the mom that made different meals to suit each family member. I believe my mom’s words, flippant as they seemed at the time, came from the right place and I am appreciative and learned from her to be grateful for what I have, respectful of others, and willingness to try new things. Glad Mom stood up for herself too.

I am very fortunate to still have my mom and treasure any cooking she is still willing to do for me as an adult.

[SereneSeagull]

I remember that phrase myself!  

[soccernut5]

Growing up I used to watch my mom make batch after batch of jam.  I think I was intrigued because of all the cups of sugar I saw her use!  Looking back, I'm not sure what she did with it all but safe to say we never ran out of jam.  I even told her that when I grew up I wanted to live next to her and make strawberry jam.  Today, we live a couple of blocks from each other.  Let the jam making begin!

[SereneSeagull]

The house is full of the wonderful jam smell, too. 

[MaryG404038]

As a 14 year old daughter, and one of 11 children, it was always understandable why I always thought of my mom as an amazing mother. It took one special moment for me to see her as more, a sweet, blushing woman! She was driving me to a doctor's appointment around noon one day when my dad came randomly down the opposite side of the street, heading home for lunch from his job. As he neared our car & spotted Mom, he gave her a sly wink, softly blowing her a kiss. As mom patted her heart & blushed, she shared with me, "Even after all these years, seeing him still makes my heart go pitter-patter!". God LOVE her! 

[SallyS254556]

My mother is truly my inspiration. At 87, she's welcoming the chaos of a new puppy while still driving around to help others—bringing food and thoughtful gifts to neighbors in need. She is my rock, always knowing how to cheer me up when I need it most. Though she may have lost a few inches as she’s aged, her heart only keeps growing. Years ago, she worked in inner-city schools in Detroit and later in Muskegon. To this day, some of her second-grade students, now in their 60s, still keep in touch with her. That says everything about the kind of person she is: funny, kind, wise, and one of the strongest people I know. I love her with all my heart and feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life.

[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!!