That year, something that had never meant much meant everything. A lonely Valentine’s Day felt like a preview of a lonely life. It sounds overdramatic, but that’s how it can feel when you look around and see other people in love. But there are things worse than being alone on Valentine’s Day, so instead of lamenting about your singleness, remind yourself of these 3 things to celebrate.

1. You have love in your life.

Romantic love is initially based on attraction and often status. And unfortunately, it can be conditional. That’s why I wore makeup on my first date with my now husband, and he may or may not have done a set of pushups before ringing my doorbell. 

Meanwhile, the love that’s in our lives through our children is unconditional. It’s sewn into the fabric of our relationships. Even if we yell or they’ve rolled their eyes for the fifteenth time today, the love between mothers and children is solid. I remember looking at my son in his newborn days and realizing I didn’t have to do anything to earn his love. I needed a shower, a toothbrush, and a fresh shirt. He didn’t care. Pure love. 

The love in your life today might not be romantic love, but don’t ignore its significance if you’re alone on Valentine’s Day.

2. You’re rebuilding.

Whatever led to you being alone on Valentine’s Day—divorce, the death of your husband, abandonment—you’ve been through a period of loss or stripping away. But now, I hope you’re in a time of rebuilding. You get to create a healthier you, a heart that’s open to loving again, or a more stable environment for your kids. 

Give yourself a V-Day gift. Write down three things you want to be able to say next year at this time. (“I have a date” can’t be one of them.) Some ideas are: I found a job I enjoy more, I’ve forgiven people I needed to forgive for my own well-being, and I’ve gotten better at prioritizing my physical and mental health. Under each statement, write one step you can take to get there and give that step a due date.

3. You’re not in a relationship with someone just to fill a void.

There are some women who have Valentines, but they’re men who disrespect them, use them, disregard their children… You get my drift. You could have a date tonight if you lowered your standards or were just looking for a warm body. You could probably also have a date with someone who’s not the one for you but would buy you dinner. Neither of those options honors you or your children.

It’s tempting to write the story of this Valentine’s Day and place yourself as the teary main character. But what if you shifted the narrative and made yourself the empowered heroine who chooses to settle for nothing less than the right guy at the right time? That transforms a dateless Valentine’s Day from a flaw into a flex.

What’s another positive way to look at being single?

The post Single on Valentine’s Day? 3 Things to Love appeared first on iMOM.

These Valentine’s Day ideas celebrate love in so many creative ways! There are special things for couples to do, ways for kids to learn about Mom and Dad’s love, and, of course, activities that give you an excuse to eat just one more piece of candy. And if you’re in a pinch, we even have Valentine’s Day cards you can print at the last minute. So enjoy, and remember that you are loved!

Fun & Games

If you’re staying in for the night and want to make Valentine’s memories with the kids, try our Family Game Show printable. It’s like the Newlywed Game with a Valentine’s Day twist!

More fun awaits!

• Get everyone laughing with 10 Valentine’s Day Jokes for Kids.
• The Sweet Talk Game and Candy Hearts Game are great ways to start conversations (and eat extra candy!).
• The Valentine’s Day Name Game will perfectly personalize your love.
• The Valentine’s Hunt Game is a sweet way to get the little ones tuckered out.

Couples Only

Today is your day. Let love shine and go over the top with our printable Sweetheart Coupons. They are perfect on their own, but pair them with a steak dinner and a bottle of wine and you’ve officially got a romantic evening on your hands.

Turn the romance up a notch!

• Check out 50 Ways to Lure Your Lover.
• Our Whole New Kind of Honey Do List is the gift that will give your husband a break from the chores.
• 10 Compliments for Your Husband will make him feel on top of the world.
• Pucker up and take our 14 Day Kiss Your Husband Challenge.
• Spice things up with 19 Valentine’s Date Night Ideas and 7 More Interesting Date Night Ideas.
• And you can’t go wrong with these 5 Cute Ways to Say I Love You to Your Husband.

Love for the Whole Family

Your kids will count the ways you love them with this Countdown to Love printable. By the time Valentine’s Day arrives, they’ll be bursting with love.

• Get the whole family involved in your love story. Have the kids take the Mom and Dad Love Story Quiz. Just a warning: Your kids’ version might be more funny than romantic!
• Slide this I Love My Mom Because printable to your husband for a quick way for the kids to show their love.
• And find out what the kids think of all things LOVE with our Valentine’s Day Talk printable conversation starters.

Cutest Valentine Printables Ever

Did you forget to pick up cards for your kids to hand out at school? No worries! Your kids will spread the love in the most unique way with these free printable Class Valentine Cards.

• These Valentine Cards have designs for adults and children.
• Use our Valentine’s Day Gift Tags for that perfect finishing touch on a gift.
• Speaking of finishing touches, our Valentine Cupcake Cutouts are the icing on the cake!
• And share this Valentine for Moms with other moms who need to feel the love.

More Valentine’s Day Ideas

Not sure how to make Valentine’s Day special? Try iMOM’s Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt for Kids that leads to a special gift or a big hug and kiss from Mom.

• Here are 5 Ideas for Making Valentine’s Day Sweet in the prettiest printable ever.
• It’s not just about sweethearts and sweet treats! Teach your kids The Real Story Behind Valentine’s Day.
• Go deeper than Cupid and candy and learn 5 Things Real Romance Is Made Of.
• And just for fun, here are 9 Foods That Will Give You a Better Love Life.

We could always use more ways to say “I love you.” What are your favorite Valentine’s Day ideas?

The post Valentine’s Day Ideas appeared first on iMOM.

We have a scavenger hunt for each of the big holidays, which is perfect for keeping the kids occupied so you can get some of the to-do list done. And our any-day scavenger hunts are handy for sleepovers or when rain sidelines your outdoor plans. If you don’t have a prize for the end of the hunt, don’t stress. A piece of candy or a love note will leave your hunter beaming! And don’t tell the kids, but these scavenger hunts will help them work on their reading and problem-solving skills. Talk about buried treasure! Mom win!

Dollar Store Scavenger Hunt

Looking for a fun rainy day activity? Need to get out of the house and let the kids stretch their legs and exercise their brains? Try our Dollar Store Scavenger Hunt! Print the list, pile the kids in the car, and solve the riddles to grab items from the shelves. There are plenty of jobs for everyone!

Water Scavenger Hunt

Need a fun activity on your next vacation? Send your kids exploring with our Water Scavenger Hunt. Whether you’re at the beach or the lake, send your kids on an adventure to find these items. Print out whichever page of the scavenger hunt that fits your trip and soak up the memories today.

Treasure Hunt Clues

The next time your kids come up to you and whine, “I’m bored!” We have two words for you – Treasure Hunt! Download our new Treasure Hunt Clues printable.

Selfie Scavenger Hunt

Update your party with a 21st-century take on a classic: a selfie scavenger hunt. All you need is a phone (or dust off an old digital camera if you have one!) and our free printable. Print your list, pick a time limit, and go hunting. 

City Scavenger Hunt

A trip to the city offers plenty for everyone to experience. There’s so much to see! With their eyes peeled, your kids might notice more with this handy checklist. If they’re old enough, give each child a copy along with a pen to check off the sights. If the kids are little, guide them along the way by working on the City Scavenger Hunt as a team.

Photo Scavenger Hunt

No plans for the day? Then take your kids on a fun photo scavenger hunt outdoors. See how many photos you and your kids can check off this list! Or, if you have a large group, split them up and see which team can get the most photos taken in an hour.

Mall Scavenger Hunt

A mall scavenger hunt is a fun rainy day activity for families, but it’s also perfect for a tween’s birthday party. Grab a mom friend to help chaperone and then break into teams. The kids will love scurrying around, finding the items on the list, snapping photos, and being silly. No one will even mind that you’re not actually shopping.

Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Are you ready to head outside? Print out our list of 30 items and then look high and low for each one as you walk (or bike!) around the neighborhood. How many can you check off the Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt list today?

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Nature is fascinating but easily overlooked. Our Nature Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to teach your child about how to perceive life. You can discover it in your backyard, a park, a pond, or a beach.

Birthday Scavenger Hunt

Looking for a unique way to celebrate a birthday? A birthday scavenger hunt is a fun way to build anticipation and excitement while making your child feel like the guest of honor. This hunt has eight steps, including the starting clue and the final “Happy Birthday” note. Just hand the starting clue over and let the hunter run wild!

Superstore Scavenger Hunt

This Superstore Scavenger Hunt is a blast! It’s great for a free family night out or a tween’s birthday get-together with a couple of friends. Grab the family and head to the nearest superstore. It’s fun, free and a total memory maker, so don’t forget the camera.

Colorful Treasure Hunt

I spy a colorful treasure hunt for kids! Each treasure hunt clue in our newest printable has something to do with colors. And, believe me, little kids and big kids will love seeking, finding, and figuring out these clever clues.

Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Even though Valentine’s Day is meant for couples, kids absolutely love it! Many of us came home from school with a brown bag full of cards from our classmates. But did you ever come home to a Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt? Send your little loves on a hunt for whatever prize you have in mind.

Spring Treasure Hunt

When spring has sprung or when the weather feels like it’s spring, send your kids outside for this Spring Treasure Hunt! After being stuck inside for the winter, a fun outdoor activity will breathe life back into your family’s spirit!

Bible Scavenger Hunt

Who said thumbing through your Bible had to be boring? iMOM’s Bible scavenger hunt printable is a fun way to grow more familiar with the scriptures and have a friendly competition within your family, small group at church, or youth group. Check out both versions!

Camping Scavenger Hunt

Our camping scavenger hunt is a perfect distraction for the kids while you set up camp or prep dinner around the fire. Better yet, get the kids involved with both of those activities and leave time for everyone to do the scavenger hunt together. Then, after a nice hike around the campground, sit together around the fire or stretch out in a hammock and relax. 

Zoo Scavenger Hunt

A day at the zoo is always a fun memory for moms and kids. There are so many sights, sounds, and smells to take in. When kids see an animal they’ve only encountered in books or on a nature show, their eyes light up, and the world becomes a little more vivid. Next time you take your little one to the zoo, bring iMOM’s zoo scavenger hunt to add a fun activity to an already exciting day.

Easter Story Hunt

Children love to look for Easter eggs, but how about taking it up a notch with an Easter scavenger hunt? In this egg-citing game, your kids can hunt for eggs over and over again without ever being at risk for a cavity from too much candy. And best of all, they will actually be hunting for the best treasure of all—the story of Easter.

USA Scavenger Hunt

History is fascinating and can be a lot of fun. Download iMOM’s USA Scavenger Hunt game and watch how easily your kids can learn about our country.

Back-to-School Treasure Hunt

Make back-to-school time a fun time for your children with our Back to School Treasure Hunt for kids. As they search for clues they’ll find lots of surprises, but no homework — we promise! When a clue calls for something like crayons, or a book, you can get new ones to surprise your children, or just use things you have around the house.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Halloween is all about family and treats, right? But Mom always has a trick up her sleeve to take the fun up a notch. iMOM’s Halloween Scavenger Hunt is a not-so-spooky but perfect addition to your trick-or-treat tradition. 

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

This is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish your children are sure to love—a Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt for kids! Not only will they love searching for these indoor clues, they’ll also learn some fun facts and interesting tidbits about the first Thanksgiving!

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year for many reasons—but sometimes the whole Christmas thing can feel overwhelming and not so fun. So before the stress of the season makes you a mean elf, sprinkle some levity into it with our Christmas Scavenger Hunt.

Which one is your kid’s favorite? What other kinds of scavenger hunts would you like to see?

The post 22 Great Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids appeared first on iMOM.

A date doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be memorable. It should be about spending time with your favorite person. So show some love with these 19 Valentine’s Day date ideas and let the romance ignite!

1. Go back to where it all began.

Reminisce about your first Valentine’s Day as a couple. If you remember what you had for dinner, try to recreate it. Think you’ve spent enough time with your husband to know the answers to these 20 fun questions to get to know him better?

2. It’s a bake-off!

Surely you’ve seen one of the dozens of baking shows on TV. Pick a recipe, and do your best to nail it.

3. Get cultural.

Get lost in a museum or art gallery. It can spark interesting conversation and reveal more to you about how your husband sees the world.

4. Play hooky.

Take a day off from work together. Your kids are at school, and you can hire a babysitter for the afternoon so you can just enjoy each other’s company for an entire day. Need more motivation? Here are 10 reasons to get away without the kids.

5. Eat dessert first.

If you don’t have time to make a special dinner, make or pick up a “wow” dessert and a bottle of bubbly. Start with dessert and you might not even care about eating dinner.

6. Channel your inner Picasso.

There are tons of painting and drawing tutorials on YouTube. Grab the kids’ paint and buy a couple of canvases at the dollar store. Set up your “studio” so you can’t see each other’s paintings until the big reveal at the end.

7. Clip coupons.

No, we’re not suggesting that making a grocery list is a good Valentine’s Day date idea. Give your husband this collection of Valentine coupons for a back rub, his favorite home-cooked meal (plus dessert!), an afternoon of uninterrupted time for him to watch sports, or maybe instant forgiveness for one of his little irksome habits.

8. Mock a movie.

Pick the worst movie you can find and watch it purely with the goal of laughing, even if it’s not a comedy.

9. Be tourists in love.

Stay at a hotel in town that has a nice restaurant or a view. Pretend you’re out-of-towners and do something your city is known for that you’ve never tried.

10. Think back.

Pull out your wedding video or photos and watch how the conversation and memories come naturally. Play your first dance song and enjoy a slow dance.

11. Make it a family Valentine’s Day.

Make the day special for the whole family with a special dinner and an indulgent dessert. End the night with iMOM’s Valentine Family Game Show or curl up on the couch for a kid-friendly rom-com.

12. Stargaze.

Download the stargazing app, bundle up, and lie on a blanket in the back yard. You’ll feel like teenagers again!

13. Create a time capsule.

This is two Valentine’s Day date ideas in one. Put items from the year into a shoebox (If you have something more capsule-like, good for you!), write letters to each other, seal it up, and store it away. Mark your calendar with “open time capsule” on February 14th, 2023. Then order pizza and enjoy a time travel movie.

14. Turn the tables and romance him.

Yes, women want romance on Valentine’s Day, but what if you take the pressure off of him and try some of these 41 ways to romance your husband? We bet he’ll return the favor.

15. Have a “His and Hers” movie night.

Start this date early because it’s a double feature. You both get to pick a movie you’ve been wanting to see, but the other has given a thumbs-down to. If you want to pick a classic, check out these 52 great movie love stories. Have an intermission between movies to pick up takeout for dinner.

16. Dress for success.

Wear something new to bed. (No flannel, even if it’s a cold night.)

17. Do a dine-in double date.

Some couples want to be alone on Valentine’s Day, but maybe for you, getting together with your favorite friends sounds like the perfect night. The husbands can make dinner and the wives can prep dessert! Put all the kids at one house and pay for one babysitter (but pay her well!).

18. Be irresponsible!

You tell the kids to put away the video games, get out of their pajamas, and eat their vegetables. Break all your own rules by sending the kids to Grandma’s house for the day and spending the day in bed. Order pizza, play video games, binge a show… Be lazy in love.

19. Bond over breakfast.

Evenings can be hectic and sitters are pricey. Start your day with romance instead and have a Valentine’s breakfast. Make as many things on the menu as possible heart-shaped. Who doesn’t love a heart-shaped pancake?

What is your favorite Valentine’s date idea?

The post 19 Valentine’s Day Date Ideas appeared first on iMOM.

It made being single stand out. I was one in a world that felt like it was made for two. Being single on Valentine’s Day can be hard, but there’s no reason to merely try to survive the day or write it off altogether as only for couples. We can turn what might be a hard day into a good day with these 5 ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day when you’re single.

1. Love on your children.

My husband was the fun dad; I tend to be the rule enforcer. Now, as a single mom, I often have to be the heavy or all-business as I plow through my to-do list. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to break from the routine and lavish our kids with love, like by giving a hand-written note telling our children the good and the gifts we see in them.

2. Celebrate your friends.

Celebrating friendship on Valentine’s Day helps us realize how many loving people we have in our lives. Friends fill our worlds with laughter on the good days and offer a listening ear and real conversation on the hard days. Whether it’s work friends who regularly make our day or old friends we rarely get to see, we can reach out with something as simple as an email or e-card and let them know how much they mean to us.

3. Surprise another single mom or widow.

One of the best ways to brighten what might be a hard day is to bring light to someone else’s day. Chances are you know another single mom or widow who needs encouragement. I’m smiling just thinking of the joy a simple bouquet of flowers or a gift would bring to my widowed neighbor who gets few visitors with no local family.

4. Thank your parents.

The older my parents get, the more I find myself looking for opportunities to give back to them. Moms know how much our own parents have done for us and for our children over the years. And while we may feel thankful, we don’t often express it. A Valentine’s Day card can help us intentionally thank our parents and let them know how much they mean to us.

5. Give yourself the gift of self-care.

Be your own valentine and give yourself some needed self-care. Maybe you need an evening out to think your own thoughts or refresh your own soul. Maybe you need permission to shop for yourself or pamper yourself with a pedicure. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to remember you are valuable and worth the gift of self-care.

How have you turned being single on Valentine’s Day into something good?

The post 5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day When You’re Single appeared first on iMOM.

We also have a Valentine’s idea you can share with your husband. Because when your husband and children feel loved, that’s sweet indeed!

• New Valentine’s Jokes for Kids, and Tongue Twisters Too!
• Valentine’s Lunchbox Notes. Your kids will love the notes even more if you pack a sweet treat too!
• Printable Valentine’s Day Cards cute enough to send to your child’s classmates.
• A Valentine’s Day game to use all of those candy hearts with messages on them!
• Sweetheart Coupons for Your Husband? He says, “Yes!”

What fun things do you do for your family on Valentine’s Day?

The post Our Favorite Valentine’s Ideas for Kids Plus One for Your Man! appeared first on iMOM.

In the third century, the Roman Empire was ruled by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. He was nicknamed Claudius the Cruel because of his harsh leadership and his tendency for getting into wars and abusing his people. In fact, he was getting into so many wars during the third century that he was having a difficult time recruiting enough soldiers.

Claudius believed that recruitment for the army was down because Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families behind, so he canceled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Thousands of couples saw their hopes of matrimony dashed by the single act of a tyrant. And no one seemed interested in standing up to the emperor.

But a simple Christian priest named Valentine did come forward and stood up for love. He began to secretly marry soldiers before they went off to war, despite the emperor’s orders. In 269 A.D., Emperor Claudius found out about the secret ceremonies. He had Valentine thrown into prison and deemed that he would be put to death.

As Valentine was awaiting execution, he fell in love with a blind girl who happened to be the jailer’s daughter. On the eve of his execution, with no writing instruments available, Valentine is said to have written her a sonnet in ink that he squeezed from violets. Legend has it that his words made the blind woman see again. It was a brief romance because the next day Valentine was clubbed to death by Roman executioners.

St. Valentine gave his life so that young couples could be bonded together in holy matrimony. They may have killed the man, but not his spirit. Even centuries after his death, the story of Valentine’s self-sacrificing commitment to love was legendary in Rome. Eventually, he was granted sainthood and the Catholic Church decided to create a feast in his honor. They picked February 14 as the day of celebration because of the ancient belief that birds (particularly lovebirds, but also owls and doves) began to mate on that very day.

It’s surprising to know that Valentine’s Day is really founded on the concept of love in marriage. On this Valentine’s Day, what are you doing to keep the love in your marriage burning? While giving a gift and card, having a candlelight dinner, and sharing special words of love are all important, the true spirit of Valentine’s Day needs to last throughout the year.

Here are some ways to bring more love into your marriage:

• Schedule priority time together. Pull out your calendars and set a date night every week or two—just to spend time together and talk. (Note: Movies don’t count.)
• Laugh together. When was the last time you shared a funny story and chuckled with each other? Loosen up and laugh freely. Live lightheartedly!
• Play together. Find a hobby or activity you both enjoy: fishing, bowling, tennis, hiking, or biking.
• Be romantic together. Send your spouse a note of encouragement in the mail every once in a while just to say, “I love you.” Spend one or two weekends away each year just with your wife. (No buddies allowed.)

While Valentine’s Day is a good time to put a spark back into your relationship, the only way to fan the flame of a good relationship is for every day to be a Hallmark moment.

What are you doing to fan the flame of love in your marriage? Please share your comments with us.

The post The Real Story Behind Valentine’s Day appeared first on iMOM.

Buy a bag of colorful candy hearts.  Then have your family gather around the table.

1. Pour the candies into a bowl.
2. Decide what each color signifies. Write it down on a piece of paper everyone can see. For instance:

PINK = Name ONE reason why you love each person at the table.

PURPLE = Choose ONE positive word to describe the person to your right.

GREEN = Choose ONE positive word to describe the person to your left.

YELLOW = Hug the person to your right.

RED = Hug the person to your left.

WHITE = Make up and sing a silly love song about your family.

Go around the table and have each person take a candy heart from the bowl and then follow the directions for whatever color they choose.

The post Valentine’s Day Candy Hearts Game appeared first on iMOM.

What you’ll need:

• iMOM Kid Coupons
• Pink and red colored plastic cups
• Candy

Put one coupon and some candy in each cup. Seal with plastic wrap and a ribbon or foil. Use different cup colors for each child. Hide the cups outside or around the house for your Valentine’s Hunt.

Check out our other Valentine’s Day fun ideas.

The post Valentine’s Hunt Game appeared first on iMOM.

Write your child’s first name vertically on a card. Then, for each letter, write something you love about them.  Like this:

Cuddly.
Loveable.
Adorable.
Really sweet!
A dream come true.

The post Valentine’s Day Name Game appeared first on iMOM.