It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is approaching! No matter what stage you are on your mom journey, there are ways you can celebrate in a budget-friendly way!
Use the links below to jump to the section that best suits your stage of your journey!
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Planning to Become Pregnant / Birth Parent
1. Write down all the love you have to give a child and what you imagine doing with your future child. “I would love to share my passion for cooking with my child and can picture us creating special dishes together! I want my child to know I will always love them and support them by listening. I want to start this tradition with my children.”
If you have a partner, share these aspirations with them. It is a good start to discussing parenting styles and visualizing what having a child may be like. Use this list to help create an adoptive parent profile as well!
2. Provide Valentine Days gifts for birthmothers with an adoption agency. Birthmothers are crucial to the adoption process and showing love for them with a small gift can help them during their journey. Reach out to your adoption agency for approval and suggestions. Things like body wash and lotions, comfy socks, throw blankets, nail polish or flowers are a perfect way to remember birth mothers!
3. Offer to watch someone’s child or children for Valentine’s Day so they can have a nice evening out. This means so much to parents and is a good way to gain experience with children (although you can be an awesome mom without experience!). Being around kids can help you visualize your parenting style and what having a child may look like.
4. Create a Valentine’s Day piggy bank for your future child. This can be a fun craft opportunity, or you can purchase one online! Placing money aside for your future child is a very special feeling and your bank will be a visual reminder for your family planning goals. When the time comes, purchase something special for your child with the funds. “We wanted you for so long, we saved money and bought you ______ with it.”
Expecting
1. Write a letter to your baby-to-be about your pregnancy journey so far. This can include how you found out you were pregnant, how you felt, how you shared the news and how much love you have for them already! It’s common to forget these emotions as years go by, so writing these emotions now is a great keepsake for you and your child!
2. Choose a keepsake box for your child. This is a great place to store ultrasound pictures and mementos from the hospital. Your child can have more than one keepsake box, so don’t worry if you are gifted one as well.
3. Celebrate your baby bump with a special Valentine’s Day t-shirt! You can find great options on Etsy and online retailers, or you can make one yourself!
4. With your doctor’s approval, schedule an ultrasound at a baby imaging center. These are growing in popularity and for a good reason! View your growing little one (or ones) in a relaxed atmosphere. While these vary per location, many offer 3D or 4D imaging services, keepsake items for purchase, and allow multiple family members to view your little love! I did this twice while pregnant and was a great experience!
Mom of One or More!
1. Have a Valentine’s Day photoshoot! You can use a professional photographer, but it can easily be done at home and on a budget! Flower petals, handmade signs, and Valentine’s Day décor (Dollar Tree and Target have great affordable options) are all you need for the perfect setup! Print the photos and include a special note to send to family and friends or share online!
2. Wear mommy-and-me matching outfits! Matching family options are a growing trend and many retailers are carrying them! Check out these shirts, wear matching pajamas, or maybe matching accessories! Creating your own matching shirts is a great activity to do with older children. Check out your nearest craft store for clothing options, embellishments, or tie dye kits!
3. Purchase a Valentine’s Day or love themed book and read to your child. Write a personal note on the inside of the book for a special keepsake.
4. Purchase a recordable story book from Hallmark and record your voice reading the story to your child! These are great gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other loved ones (especially long-distance) to record themselves for your child to hear! Some even have a stuffed animal gift you can purchase to accompany the book.
5. Create a Valentine’s Day craft with your little one. For babies you can use a baby-safe paint or ink to create handprints / footprints crafts. For older children, create Valentines to give to family members and friends. Help your child write a list of reasons why they love ____ and give it to that person. Writing a poem or a song and then having your child read or sing it is also a cute and special sentiment.
