Don’t forget Mothers’ Day and don’t forget struggling moms, too

Mother’s Day is Sunday.

Hoping that isn’t a news flash for most readers. Hope you have already made some plans to honor the mamas in your life.

If not, the clock is ticking.

This column is published on Thursday – so that gives you three days to come up with something as wonderful as your mother is.

For the guys reading, it is almost time to panic – especially if you intend to take mom or the mother of your own children to a fancy buffet. You know, one that requires reservations.

In case the Handsome Scotsman is reading, that is not necessary. A drive to Girdwood with a stop off at that barbecue joint that I can’t name in print because it would be a free advertisement totally rocks. This chickie mama won’t ever turn down an opportunity for a drive along the Turnagain Arm. It is a gift in and of itself.

But we digress.

Gents, it is time to get some kind of plan together.

On behalf of mothers everywhere, I will nag just ever so gently or um, slightly.

After all, Mother’s Day is that one day to make sure mom gets the due she deserves.

No cooking, no cleaning and no laundry.

Moms give a lot to their families and our society.

That’s why this year I am making a different sort of gifting suggestion.

How about giving to a social services agency in the name of your mom?

I am not suggesting you skip giving your mom that one thing that makes her feel cherished. I am suggesting going a bit above and beyond – just as she does like nearly every single day - and do something that will help another mom.

Pregnancy centers across the Anchorage Bowl are constantly in desperate need of diapers – especially the larger sizes. This is because the bulk of the clients of these centers often socially maligned as only helping young girls in an unplanned pregnancies are actually moms and dads living below or right at the poverty line raising children that are age five and younger.

Diapers are crazy spendy. Currently, federal aid programs that provide food and rental assistance don’t help pay for diapers. Even washable cloth diapers put a sizable dent in the budget for many young families.

This is especially true on The Last Frontier where shipping costs only increase the price tag.

According to a 2017 article in Forbes magazine quoting a survey by Wallet Hub, Alaska has the fifth highest cost of infant care in the United States. East Coast locations – Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia – are the only U.S. locations where it is more costly to care for an infant for the first year of life.

Alaska Parent magazine recently estimated the average kiddo from birth to three years will go through 6,000 to 7,000 diapers costing somewhere between $2,000 to $3,000.

Whoa chief, that is a lot of money going in to the trash can after its usage is complete or a whole bunch of laundry detergent to keep clean diapers at the ready.

Fact is not all Alaska families – in fact many more than we wish to recognize – live paycheck to paycheck. Many live far too close to the poverty guidelines.

Not to stereotype, but for the most part, moms are a generous and kind demographic.

Want to really touch the heart of the mom in your life this year? Go buy some diapers, take a picture to show her and donate those diapers to one of the many agencies that provide assistance to moms; to families facing financial challenges.

If you don’t know where these organizations are located, email me and I will gladly provide you with contact information for the one nearest to your hood in the Anchorage Bowl.

That gesture of generosity – along with that something special your mom likes – will make her day. Trust me on this one.

Reach Amy Armstrong via email at: asocialbutterfly@gci.net.