Parents are the hardest people to write cards for, partly because there's too much to say and partly because many families aren't used to saying it. "Happy Mother's Day, love you" is fine. But on one day a year, it's worth trying one sentence more.
Thank them for something specific
The most powerful line in a parent's card is usually a thank-you for something small that they probably think you never noticed:
- The packed lunches.
- Waiting up until you got home.
- The time they drove across the city because you forgot your exam pass.
- How they spoke to waiters, neighbours, strangers, and how you learned from it.
"Happy Mother's Day, Ammi. I've just realised how many mornings you got up before everyone else so the house would be warm and breakfast ready. I never said thank you. So: thank you, for all of them."
For your mum
- "Happy Mother's Day. Everything I'm proud of in myself, I can trace back to you."
- "Thank you for every time you said 'call me when you get home', and every time you actually waited for the call."
- "Now that I'm an adult I understand how much you did without anyone seeing. Happy Mother's Day, with love."
For your dad
- "Happy Father's Day, Abbu. You taught me to work hard without ever giving a speech about it. I just watched you."
- "Thanks for every terrible joke, every lift at midnight and every 'I'm proud of you' I pretended not to need."
- "Happy Father's Day to the man who can fix anything except his own phone settings."
From a daughter / from a son
- "Dad, you were my first hero and you still are, even if you've started falling asleep during films."
- "Mum, I'm sorry for every door I slammed as a teenager. I owe you approximately four thousand apologies and one very nice lunch."
For a step-parent
Acknowledge the choice they made. They didn't have to love you, and they did.
- "You didn't have to take on a whole extra family, and you did it with so much kindness. Happy Mother's Day."
- "Thank you for showing up for me, again and again. Happy Father's Day."
For a grandparent
- "Happy Mother's Day, Nani. You raised my mum, and then you helped raise me. Double thank you."
- "Dada, your stories are the best part of every family dinner. Happy Father's Day."
For a new mum or dad
- "Happy first Mother's Day! You're doing an amazing job, even on the days it doesn't feel like it."
- "Your first Father's Day. Welcome to the club of tired, proud and slightly sticky dads."
When a parent has passed away
These days can be painful. If you're writing to someone who has lost a parent, a short, kind message is enough: "Thinking of you today. I know it's a hard one. Your mum would be so proud of you."
If you're the one grieving, some people find it helps to write a card to their parent anyway, to keep or to read at their graveside. There's no wrong way to do it.
For someone who has been like a mother or father to you
An aunt, an older sibling, a teacher, a neighbour. Telling them is rare and means a lot: "You've been a second mum to me in every way that counts. Happy Mother's Day."
If you live far away
Mention the distance and make a plan. "I wish I could hug you today. I'm coming home in December and I'm booking our lunch now" turns a card into something to look forward to.
Our Mother's Day and Father's Day card makers let you add family photos and your own words and send them as a link: handy when you can't be there in person.