Myjellybean.com

Dear Jellybean,

My dad says my mom and I do not understand each other, but actually we have a great relationship. anyway my dad is making my mom take me out on a girls day out. Which I think will be fun, and my mom says I can pick the activities. But I can't think of anything to do and my mom isn't giving ANY help. Do you have some activities for me and my mom?

Dear Writer,

Mother-daughter days are a great way to bond and have fun with your mom. There are plenty of things you can do - but the best are those that take into account both of your personal likes. Think of things you both like to do - whether that involves watching sports, doing spa stuff, reading, theater or films, and so on. The idea is for you both to spend an enjoyable day doing something you like, with the bonus of spending it together.

Here are some ideas for you to browse. Choose any that appeal to you, and then ask your mom to pick the one out of those that she likes best. Have a great time!

Book-Lovers' Day

If you and your mom are both into reading, you could make a day of browsing bookstores together. Or, check your local city website or newspaper for author reading series, or poetry readings, and see what is being offered. Going to hear an author read can be a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Sporty Girls' Day

If you and your mom are both into the outdoors, or physical fitness, make it an active day. Go hiking, play one-on-one basketball at the local court, strap on your rollerblades and hit the trail or boardwalk, or whatever other sporty activity strikes your fancy. You can work up an appetite, and then go for a meal together after.

Non-Sporty Active Day

If you are not too keen on sports, you can still have fun together and keep things active. Go bowling, try miniature golfing, go apple-picking at a farm, or toss around a frisbee in the park. If it's nice out, bring a picnic along. Or go for ice cream sundaes afterward.

Culture Lovers' Day

Do you and your mom appreciate the finer things? Go to your city art gallery, or make a day of visiting small galleries and browsing their artworks. You can stop at the gallery shop afterwards and buy something awesome for the house together, or end the day with a yummy dinner out.

Chef Day

Do you both enjoy cooking and baking? Take over the kitchen and create an amazing, multi-course meal together from recipes. Or bake up a storm of cookies and other treats, and eat them afterward, curled up in front of your favorite chick flicks.

Shopping Day

If you two like shopping, you can spend a great day doing just that. Don't just limit yourselves to clothing stores, though. Try visiting antiques stores, vintage shops, poster stores, or even garage sales. Limit your budget, so there are no arguments, and see what treasures you can find.

Spa Day

Are you both in need of some pampering? Make a spa day at home and relax together as you get beautiful! Play mellow music, light some scented candles, and set up a manicure station. Take turns doing each others' nails. Or to make it super-easy, just buy some single-use facial masks at the drugstore, and pick up some magazines. Loaf, beautify, listen to tunes, and laze away the day together. Ahhh.

Scrapbooking Day

Want to create a mother-daughter keepsake (and show your dad how close you and mom really are)? Start a Mother-Daughter scrapbook. Create pages about different things you have done together - or want to do. Write in your favorite quotes. Do a quiz on your mom to learn things about her you never knew, and write in the answers. Then have her do the same to you. Keep the scrapbook going as a journal after your special day, and take turns writing in it. When you read it, you will each get a great perspective on each other's views and experiences.

Volunteering Day

Are you and your mom socially/politically minded? Use your mother-daughter day to do a volunteer activity together, and brighten the lives of others who could use the help. Make homemade cards for kids in hospital; sort through your closets and find clothes in good condition you no longer want and then take these together to a women's shelter; work in a soup kitchen; or find another community service project to do together.

Educational Day

Taking a class together can be a lot of fun, if you find one that suits both of your interests. Check with your local YMCA or community center for a class in something like music, cooking, photography, drawing, or something else that interests the both of you.