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 

[connisusan]

My favorite Mother's day was a trip to Michigan. My two sons and family rented an airbnb for a week. We were at the beach almost everyday. When we weren't there, we spent our time cooking, grilling out, playing games, picking berries, hiking, bonfires and shopping of course!! I have 5 grandkids under the age of 15 and they are a blast!!! It was so much fun! And I have many precious memories and photographs.

[CherylC579162]

My mother passed in 1985, but I've always celebrated her, she was kind, loving, funny, and spicy. Oh, how I miss her, and wish she were here to help me with her grands!

[wk7779]

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@AARPTeri wrote:

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 

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Best Mom 

l lost my mom in 1998 but I have such fond memories of her. My 3 sisters and I have conversations about her and we break out in laughter. We miss her but the memories are forever. She was very talented, she was a seamstress, she crocheted and knit. I look at items she made years ago. I have a photo of a very beautiful red and white star quilt she made. However, my son is very tall and he told his grandmother that his feet hang out the covers on his bed. So, she made him a special quilt that was long enough to cover his feet. 

There are other stories that make me smile when I think about her. I lost my oldest daughter in October from Breast Cancer. I know that her grandma welcomed her to heaven.  

[StephanieR961081]

I wish my Mom was still here I see other daughters not wanting to take care of their mother and it breaks my heart that they don't realize how fortunate they are to still have theirs  still here what I would give to just hug my Mom and make her smile And tell her how proud it is to be her daughter Happy Mother's Day to all

[v11357w]

My Mom was the best God fearing, God loving,family & friend loving person I ever knew.

Lost her in 92, cancer...😡

And through it all she smiles

She taught me so much

Put it back where you got it

If you don't have anything good to say don't say nothing 

If you gonna do it, do it right the first time

Perfect practice makes perfect

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Don't judge

Be kind you never know how someone feels or what they are going through

She was shy

Dark red hair, I once introduced her to my boyfriend at the time as my red headed stepmother, she just grinned and said Vivian, and looked at my BF and said no I'm not

She prayed fearlessly and seen the good in people

She helped people even thought we were not rich

She took the cards she was dealt and made good out of everything

She was the best

Rest high Angel mom

[Laureen64]

I am a recovering addict, despite my habit I was my Mother's primary caretaker. One Mothers Day My brother who was disabled because of a physical ailment, was angry because Mom trusted me with the finances including his. So this particular Moms day weekend I was sent o take Carew of some business and go to the grocery store to get the meal for the holiday. Brothe got pissed and asked Mom why do that crack head have to go and handle my money. And she told him and I quote"Because that crack head got more sense than You Got! I(t was so funny)😄

[v11357w]

And forgiveness is a must 

Don't lie  and steal

[SuzanneNozaki1]

My mother taught me the importance of perseverance. She said I should never give up if I did not succeed on my first attempt. I should simply try again! 

But Mom also explained I should learn a lesson from the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” (who went up the water spout)! She said the reason why the Itsy Bitsy Spider was successful on his second attempt was because he checked out the weather conditions first! He waited until the skies were clear before he attempted a second time. Thus, the Itsy Bitsy Spider was successful because he was smart! So, Mom not only encouraged me to persevere like the Itsy Bitsy Spider, but to be a “Smart Itsy Bitsy Spider!” She said I should learn from my mistakes by doing my research and making adjustments. Only then, will I be successful as I persevere towards achieving my personal goals!

[dr64866392]

     I will be 70 years old this October and I still miss my mother a lot.  She was a great cook, she was nurturing and love, and momma didn't take no mess.  She passed away when I was 12 year old and to this day, I feel that loss deeply.  I thank her for what she taught me in the little time we had together.  When people complement me on being a good mother or being a nurturing parent or even being a a good cook, I have only my mother to thank.  She worked hard raising us and I think she would be proud of all her children because she did her best to instill great morals in all her children.  Georgia Mae Pittman, you are loved and missed and will never be forgotten.  Love your daughter L. Diana Robinson

[ShannonP543381]

A few years ago my sister was supposed to watch my 2 yr old  for me and didn't show up so I called my mom because my surgery was scheduled. No sooner did I hang up and she was at my door ! I love her more than she knows

[ks72184067]

Happy Mother's day in Heaven to my mom Barbara who died in1986, 5 days before her 40th birthday and my daughter Ashley who died 3 1/2 weeks after her 28th birthday. My kids never got a chance to meet their grandmother, but I hope the best sides of me connect them to her.

[sn78449293]

My mom passed away a little over a year ago. I am married to a man with 6 children & I am almost 50 years old. My husband & I just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I lived with my mom up until I was married. My dad passed away 30 years ago so my mom had been widowed for quite a long time. There was never a reason for me to move away from home. If I had moved away I would have been at my mom's house a lot anyway, just for the company & the food. My mom was a great cook. Cooking came natural to her. Unfortunately I did not inherit that talent. After I got married, I visited my mom at least once a week because I knew she was in her house alone after I moved out. Out of me & my siblings (2), I spent the most time with my mom. That once a week became my refuge, my sanctuary. I would have things that bothered me throughout the week & I could unload those on my mom & she would help by being a listening ear. I felt comfortable talking to her about my issues & she generally had good advice that I valued. Since she has been gone this last year, I haven't had that same listening ear. It may not be able to be replaced. My husband is great & so helpful, but he's not my mom. 

[GinaJ213068]

MAY 10TH WILL BE MY 5TH MOTHERS DAY WITHOUT MY SON

[SereneSeagull]

I’m sorry @GinaJ213068 .  I have a feeling he’s smiling down at you.  That’s so hard.  

[TabathaC979370]

My biological mom died when I was Five. But the one thing I remember was a promise she asked of me on her death bed, she asked me to promise her that I'd never drink and I am now 54yrs old and have kept that promise to her. 

[SereneSeagull]

That’s a big thing to lay on a 5 yr old.  I’m sorry, but that’s a guilt trip.  I hope you know that your life is yours to live.  I’m sorry you lost her at such a young age, though.

[HongZ850870]

A few years before my mother passed, I brought her from Beijing (my hometown) to New York, the life I had built far away. Her memory was already fading, and I was learning to care for her while quietly grieving the changes. 

At the mental health clinic where I worked, I introduced her to my colleagues and translated for her. She stood straight, a soft smile on her face: "I have four children - my eldest daughter is a teacher, my eldest son is an engineer, my younger son is a doctor."

My boss asked gently, "What about Hong - what does she do?" She paused, and in one breath: "She is my daughter."   

I took great pride in that because I was never what I did, but who I am to her!

On this day, 62 years ago, she gave me life and the greatest identity I will ever carry: her daughter!

[SereneSeagull]

Love this @HongZ850870 !

[HongZ850870]

I feel seen by you - thank you, Serene!

[DrmaryA876043]

Ok, you win! In tears over here. It must be the onions! Oh, I am not cutting onions! Simply a blessed moment!

[neldat357771]

My mother passed away 2 years ago at 96. She had a tough, difficult life but was always smiling through it all. Raised as a child in Kansas, her family moved to Texas after the dust bowl. She was married three times and was widowed three times. I was 5 years old when my father passed in 1953. She managed to raise five children mostly by herself. She was strict but fair. I’ll never forget some of her culinary failures, such as ring a ding dressing and chicken liver pizza. Sadly, she spent the last years of her life in a nursing home.

[SereneSeagull]

lol, chicken liver pizza!  Sounds fun!  Thanks for sharing that!

[lynniekok]

My mom is almost 93 still lives alone keeping her own house so clean I know you could safely “eat off the floors” she says there’s no secret to her longevity but I remember her exercising to Jack LaLane every day of my childhood. She also did the gardening in her bikini where we lived in So Cal. We never had “junk food” in our house- a bowl of fresh fruit was always up for grabs for snacks and every meal was home cooked. Oh did I mention she was a nurse… one of the founding members of the IV team at her hospital and one of the first nurses in CA certified to place PICC lines. Raised 4 kids to be productive citizens and we didn’t necessarily make it easy for her!!! THANKS MOM!!!

[SereneSeagull]

It’s great hearing these stories of moms who are in their 90’s!  Fantastic!

[mmkramer]

My mom had the best laugh ever. She would throw back her head, her face would light up and out would come the most genuine laugh that could be heard all over. My mom died over 20 years ago. But the memory of her smile and her laugh is in my heart forever. 

[SereneSeagull]

That the way to remember our loved ones…the best.

[jennteam]

My mother has always been a wonderful example of faith and service. Best wishes for a Happy Mother's Day. 

[r815054m]

My mother was always ready. When I joined the pep squad in high school, she not only sewed my uniform, but became the seamstress to the whole squad! When I needed a last minute recipe to save the day on a budget, she was there with the perfect idea! When I just needed a hug and and smile she was there. My mom passed away many years ago, but will always remain in my heart and my home. Sometimes when I am baking her favorite lemon meringue pie, I hear her saying "don't let the meringue brown too much", we actually liked it a little darker than the store, that way we knew it was home made!.

[AngieP620207]

If my mother had a superpower, it would have been persistence. Her light used to shine so bright. Her laugh was the kind that came straight from the gut and did not stop far beyond stomach pains from laughing so hard. My mom lost some of her sunshine when she married my stepdad when I was 5. Their child together became the golden child of the family, and my stepdad proceeded to isolate my mother and I from everyone she/we had ever known, and we moved out of state to chase the stepdads dream. Mom served and worshipped her husband for 20 more years until he finally left her because she didn’t want to join him as a member of a swingers club. For all those years, mom hung on tight, because she thought she was doing the correct thing. Unfortunately, she abandoned me in the process of serving her husband all of her energy and effort. My younger half sister has always been the princess. I discovered alcohol as a teen and it became my comfort. For another 20 years. In the 20th year of my toxic relationship with alcohol, mom told me that she had cancer. All my anger at her, my whole reason for toxifying myself, was no longer the emotion that drove me. Now it was compassion. I got sober. I went to her city to be with her and to try to heal us. I stayed sober and we healed for 15 more years after that. My mom persisted through 15 years of battling cancer. I wasn’t done healing with her. I still have things I wanted to tell her, to apologize for, to share. She died in the hospital last Christmas. This is going to be the first Mother’s Day without my mother. I don’t know how I’m going to spend it. Maybe I’ll spend it in the garden she left behind last fall. I can at least keep her alive through the life that she left us in the yard. Her plants are all coming back. They’re persistent, just like mom was. Is. 

[SereneSeagull]

The garden will be a great place to be for sure.