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 

[NancyG617883]

My Mother was the Kindest, Sweetest, Friendly Soul. She loved us and we knew. I miss her.

One of my memories...." If money can fix it don't worry". 

[viewfan]

My Italian mother loved to bake after she was retired.  She made the best cream filled cream puffs, all made from scratch, they were amazing  She also made Easter Bread with colored eggs braided into the dough. So happy I have pictures of her with those beautiful breads.

[DeborahT553927]

1. Thankyou to my mother, she is strongest lady and taught me to be strong, fierce,and don't take no crap. She taught me to be the best i can in life! Very lucky  to have her as my mom!! 

[JamiM341038]

My mother said always be kind to people because you never know what they have been through. If you hold open a door, or pick up something or give them a smile, it may be the nicest thing that happened to the that day. I always think of that and try to be like my mom. She said it doesn't matter much to you, but it could mean everything to them.

[SelinaE119107]

So there were mothers who were connected by their sons who are currently in 7th grade and has been friends since third grade. These mothers now learn grow and teach each other lessons and go through life together and pursue of happiness peace and sisterhood.

[mm9230]

My mom taught me to do crossword puzzles in ink - have confidence! She was one of the smartest and most knowledgeable people I ever knew, and when dementia infiltrated her brain, she and I both understood the tragedy of the disease. Though she's been gone from my life for 19 years, I'm lucky to have been the recipient of her grace, manners, and intelligence.

[franktlondos]

Janis is the best mom and grandmother, always giving advice and making sure the grandchildren have what the need!

[DorcasP19849]

My Mother passed away on Easter Sunday in 1986 at the age of 61. That year Easter was on March 30th. We grieve more for her on Easter than on March 30th. She was a very intelligent woman for someone whose education was sparse. She had common sense as well as intellectual knowledge. She was a great cook, house keeper and a loving Mother.She was strict when it came to discipline. She raised 9 children I being the youngest. She had a fierce love for all of us. She took up for us when we were wronged by a teacher. For example: One of my sisters got a paddling in school. The students were told if they missed 5 or more on the test they would be paddled. My sister missed five questions on the test. She was paddled. Her grade was a 75, which at the time was considered a C. When my sister told Mommy, she went the next day she to the school. Met with the Principle and the teacher. She asked the Principle and teacher why my sister recieved a paddling when she got a passing grade? She told them to never lay a hand on any of her children unless they called her first. She would decide whether a paddling was neccessary. The next school year the teacher was no longer employed at that school. Now at home discipline was her reponsibility. No wait till Daddy gets home. I remember one time when several of us were tussling around,. Mother came in the room spanked each of us. Had us sit on the couch and asked who started. I don't think any of us told who started or we couldn't remember who started it. I tell people she was the kind of disciplinarian who spanks first and asked questions later. Whomever I tell that story to thinks it's hilarious. Even though a spanking was involved it is now funny. I loved and still love my Mother dearly. She has been gone 40 years now. I still miss her. Especially when I need the loving kindness she gave to us all. 

[DeniseB859617]

Mom's perseverance and strength have been truly amazing. Two years ago she had a car accident that involved 4 cracked ribs and a fractured sternum. She developed sepsis while in the hospital. I was concerned we'd be planning a funeral while she was in ICU before the date my wedding was to be. She was determined to be out of hospital and rehab within 6 weeks. She achieved her goal and led the wedding processional at my wedding leaning on the arms of her grandson. She's now 84 and continues to hold her determined spirit in all her endeavors. She's just remarkable. Love you mommy. 

[YvetteF432289]

I thank God every day for the daily privilege and inspiration I feel towards my Mother. She has never wavered with her love, support and devotion to all 8 of us children. She is the sole reason for my values, faith and belief that there is a God watching over me! The best advice she has given is the old saying ‘kill them with kindness!’ It has helped me get out of contentious situations where I walked away being the bigger, better person. In return, for living such an admirable life, God has blessed my Mom with good genes and great health which I am most grateful for.

[MelissaH805241]

I give thanks that mom has been there for me! She has noticed worn cloths, buying new coats and school clothes for the kids. She volunteered to take them on a weekend here and there, so that My husband and I could have a date night!

When times are tough great moms sacrifice for their kids! 

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!

[YvetteF432289]

I thank God every day for the 

[MarshaW289147]

My mom will be 80 years this year - every minute with her is a treasure. She taught me to be fiscally smart, which was one of the greatest gifts to me. She came from very humble beginnings and I truly admire her. Happy Mothers Day to everyone - cherish every moment.

[SereneSeagull]

Cherish for sure.  Yes!

[Gwendee3]

My best memory of my Mother was the time that I wanted a new dress for the prom.  My mother and grandmother were excellent seamstresses.  We all went downtown and looked at dresses .  I chose the features of several dresses then we went home and they designed a beautiful dress for me.  I looked amazing.  

[SonaliN412449]

My birthday falls close to Mother's Day, so I always have large expectations from my family as they are always celebrated together. But my best birthday present was from my son when he was about 14, not for me but for my Mom. Some background - as my work took me away from home a lot, my mother has spent a lot of time with us helping raise our 2 kids. So on this particular Mother's day, my son saved up all his chore and pocket money to give my Mom a comfy pair of housewear slippers. His card said "You are a great GrandMa but I want to thank you for making my Mom a great Ma" Needless to say both my Mom and I were crying and gushing on the poor embarassed chap.

[KristenC427530]

My mother will be 87 on May 30 this year.  She and my dad have lived with me for the last 2.5 years.  My father passed in June last year and so my mom has had a rough year.  She has short term memory loss, but is highly functional.  She was a Nurse Practitioner so she writes everything down!  She may forget often, but she just looks at her journal and it helps her remember.  

She says "thank you for all you do for me" about 10 times a day.  I am the luckiest daughter to have a mom that continues to be thankful and grateful, even though she has Alzheimers.   We have some funny stories - you have to fine the laughter in the difficult times.

She has always been a strong woman, and I learned so much from her.  Her kindness, great laugh and gratitude are the best.

[sparkle6023]

My mom has been gone about 25 years, and I miss her every single day. Even though she worked hard at an office job, she was always there for us when she was needed at school plays or required to provide Brownie Troop snacks. Everyone loved the little orange iced squares with the troop number on them (we kept it quiet that they were a bakery product).  She never hesitated to take us to the doctor or dentist, when necessary. She did not slay us when we did dopey things like cutting a foot while exploring an off-limits ditch or breaking a bike chain on a downhill ride. She literally did everything she possibly could to make life better for my sister and myself. 

[JustyneG198210]

Typically, my mom gets more recognition from me on Father's Day, as she is a sole parent (and often I am in the middle of college midterm exams around Mother's Day) - she is the best mommy-daddy ever!

[SereneSeagull]

@JustyneG198210 I love that!  Special Mom for sure!

[MariaA418528]

unfortunately, my mother passed away when I was very little she was 34 years old but throughout the years people have told me about her the way she was she was a very happy person outgoing very smart and I come to find out that I’m a lot like her and I feel that even though I did not have her with me because I lost her when I was eight years old, but I have a lot of traits of her and that makes me very happy. I miss her a lot, and I think knowing of the way she was has made me who I am today and I am very proud of that and I think she would be too and even though she’s not here with me she’s very loved

[SereneSeagull]

@MariaA418528 I loved reading about your mother. 

[LaurieD875789]

My mom is 87 years old and lives independently. She's always been a strong hard-working and independent person. She inspires me to be that way, too!

[LaurelB197948]

My mother, who's 96, taught me so much.  Frugality, independence, a sense of security, moral standards, responsibility, courage and a love for all living things.

I am a product of her being.

She is nearing her time of departure.  I will miss her telling me I'm a good person and that she's proud of me.

[SusanK885975]

My mom’s been gone now for two years. She was 89. I will always remember that she taught me life lessons about self discipline and hard work. These skills had to be built on respect for others and sharing true compassion. If you lead with the last two, the value of our work will follow along naturally. She was so right. Every day I work to build on these and hope that I am continuing to make her proud of me. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone! 

[csohn]

When I was expecting my first child at age 35, my mother-in-law got me a Mother's Day card for the mother to be.  It was so special to me after going through so many years of fertility treatments.  This year that baby is expecting her first baby at age 35 (our first grandchild) and I have a Mother's Day card for the expectant mother ready to be mailed to our daughter to continue the tradition.

[KristiM483093]

I am 54 and still need my mom everyday. My mom is the strongest woman I know. I became a nurse just like her because I wanted to be like her. She is still always my go-to person for everything.

[SereneSeagull]

Thank you @KristiM483093 , for all that you do, and thank your mother for her kind caring daughter, who gives of herself to help others.  Thank you for caring for those who need you.

[DawnO363554]

At 81, my mom is still there for me. I can call anytime of the day or night and she will answer. She still gives me loving advice and is guiding me on how to be a parent to all adult children. Once a week we get together with my daughters to have sewing night. Sometimes we get a project made. Sometimes she is teaching us new techniques but most of the time we get loving advice or hear her latest concerns for us. Other times we are laughing so much our stomachs hurt. We love hearing about her childhood, when my parents met, how they got through their hard times, her memories of me, my brother, and our children when we were little. A girl could not ask for a better mother than the one I have. She is a beacon! 

[Notoldyet17]

II am the youngest of five siblings. My mom went back to work when I was three years old to help support our family along with my dad. I watched through the years as Mom took care of her responsibilities at home along with her full-time job. When she came home from work at night, she started dinner for the family. She taught us how to cook and to do chores, not only to help her but so we would be able to take care of ourselves. She was a superwoman, but she always took the time to give us a hug good-bye or a kiss goodnight. She has gone to Heaven, but her memory keeps me going in hard times. When I lack courage or strength, all I have to do is think of Mom, and the strength comes to do what I need to do. What an inspiration she was (and is!), and I thank God for her every day! I miss you, Mom!