Nothing like a mother-and-daughter day out to bring back quality time. Veronica Stivala suggests some ideas, from enjoying a rigorous massage, to moving to a Zumba class, to a more adventurous rock climb.
A day at the spa can result in some very good bonding between mother and daughter.A day at the spa
Many mums find it difficult to take the time to stop and put their feet up, so why not force your mum to literally put her feet up. Book yourselves a day at a spa so that you can both relax and spend some quality time together.
Spas offer a variety of pampering packages so you can either opt to be massaged, pedicured and manicured in the same room to allow for bonding conversation and idle chit chat, or you can be oiled and rubbed separately and then meet by the pool, in the sauna or for a cocktail and lunch at the bar.
Some spa centres even have hairdressing salons on site so you can make a long day of it. Take a change of clothing, have your hair done and go out for dinner after a day of blissful relaxation.
Do check out some of the more popular spas, as these usually offer special packages around Mother’s Day, and you can get the royal treatment for a fraction of the usual price.
It’s called retail therapy for a reason.Shopping
It almost feels odd to suggest shopping as a great activity for mother and daughter, quite simply because it has been a decidedly mundane activity since cavemen stopped hunting for food.
However, as Churchill once wisely said, “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”. Turn a visit to the farmers’ market, to an artisan fair or to a shopping mall into a fun outing with your mum. It’s not about the shopping really, but about spending some time together.
Alternatively opt for some massive mall that you usually avoid like the plague due to traffic issues. Get their at leisure, do not worry about the time it takes to find a parking spot and, best of all, chances are that you will find food and cocktails very nearby.
Do voluntary work
Why not dedicate your time together volunteering at an animal shelter, at a crèche, at a shelter for battered wives or at a home for people with disability? Helping others kindles happiness, and we have many studies to show this.
If your children are still young, having them watch you give some of your time to the community will show them how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help others and make a difference.
There is a wealth of charitable organisations in Malta which desperately need the help of volunteers. Spend some time speaking to the elderly at an old people’s home, or perhaps help give out food at the YMCA, or maybe feed the cats at an animal sanctuary, clean up a beach or wash people’s cars to raise funds for people in need. You can find a list of some local charities together with information about them, as well as an events calendar, here: http://www.youthinfo.gov.mt/default.asp?m=cat&id=639 .
And who knows, this does not need to be a one-off thing. Volunteering with a local charity could be a weekly or a monthly activity for the whole family to spend some quality time together.
If your mum is the active type, consider a day of physical exercise.Learn a new sport
Although spending a day kicking a ball or batting a shuttlecock might be some of your worst nightmares, the more active among you might get a kick out of playing sports together. And hey, it might even be a good idea to try something new, even if playing sports is not your thing. Have a laugh together learning how to hit a ping-pong ball or perhaps try your hand at kickboxing.
Now that the good weather is here and the scorching heat hasn’t quite settled in, you can also take advantage of the great outdoors. Sign up for an abseiling lesson or go rock climbing. Or you could try your hand at kayaking or rent a mountain bike, opting for a scenic or more technical route depending on your fitness, and bravery.
Take a dance class together
From salsa, Zumba and ballroom dancing to tango, flamenco, jazz and hip hop, there is no shortage of dance classes all around Malta. Many schools offer a drop-in system, so you don’t need to sign up for a whole course, though it is always wise to give the school a call before you head off to a class.
If you both like music, putting on your dancing shoes and giving dance a go can be great fun. Get those pheromones pumping as you dance and have a laugh. Who knows, you just might discover a new talent you never knew you had.
Spend some time among nature
Many of us lead such rushed lives that we don’t take the time to spend some time among nature. Why not go for a picnic with your mum, or go for a walk in the country in Malta or Gozo together? There are a number of organised country and archaeological walks on both islands. Information is available online and in publications and you can follow the signs along paths in the countryside.
Discover relatively unknown areas in Maltese countryside such as the prehistoric site at Il-Misqa, Wied Qirda, Il-Qattara and the medieval hamlet of Is-Simblija, the Bronze Age site at Il-Qlejgħa tal-Baħrija, Rdum Majjesa and the cliffs at Miġer Ilma. In Gozo, some ideas include country walks in Nadur, and archaeological walks from Ta’ Ċenċ to Wied Ħanżira.
Go wine tasting
A number of wineries in Malta organise guided tours and wine tastings. Depending on the time of the year, the tours take you through the whole production process, from initial fermentation through to the ageing process. You can also take a trip to a wine history museum and a tour of a vineyard. After you have educated yourselves, treat yourself to a glass of local fruity Merlot or a sweet Moscato.