This year has been challenging for moms everywhere. With so much up in the air, we think it’s important to show how much you care for the for the moms and mother figures in your life. If you can’t be together, we have tips for showing mom you love them from afar. We also want to share firsthand accounts of how OXOnians are spending this Mother’s Day and what makes their mom’s special.
Wesley Houser, Senior Brand Communications Manager
Mom: Pam Houser
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
When the pandemic started, I moved back from NYC to Atlanta where my parents live, so we’ve been spending a LOT of quality time together. It’s been great to create new memories with her as an adult since I’ve been away from home since graduating from high school.
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
My mom is the greatest. She has a special recipe for mac and cheese that was passed down from her mother that we eat during all of the holidays (and my birthday) that is topped with frosted flakes. It gives the perfect taste of sweet and savory in one bite. It's SOOOO good.
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
“Speak up and speak out” It’s a saying that came from her mother to make sure that you’re always speaking up if you have something to say and saying it confidently.
One word to describe your mom?
Selfless.
How are you celebrating mom this year?
Because she always cooks, my dad, my brothers and I will be doing the cooking and pampering her.
Shannon McConnell, Associate Product Manager
Mom: Jen McConnell
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
We send each other a lot of recipes throughout the week and always share our photos, sometimes we’ll facetime each other while cooking or baking!
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
Making cookies together, she always makes the best chocolate chip & snickerdoodle cookies!
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
My grandma, my mom and everyone in my family always says “This too shall pass!” it’s become a mantra.
One word to describe your mom?
Loving
How are you celebrating mom this year?
Baking together!
Zoe Mikhailovich, Senior Product Manager
Grandma: Toby Greenberg
How are you spending quality time with your grandma these days (virtually or IRL)?
Virtually. We do the NYT crosswords every Monday “together,” and are usually able to fill in each other’s blanks! We are also always sharing recipes and food pics, and catching up over the phone
What's your favorite food memory with your grandma?
Waking up early in the morning to get donuts and walk on the beach
What's the best advice your grandma ever gave you?
When it comes to relationships, respect is the most important thing. Without respect, nothing else holds enough weight.
One word to describe your grandma?
Strong
How are you celebrating grandma this year?
I will call her and we’ll likely recap all the most recent meals we’ve cooked and shared with others. We both recently tried a new soup recipe, so we’ll be swapping notes.
Luke Poethig, Talent Brand Specialist (HR)
Mom: Maja Bucan
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
We'll take long walks and chat about work, life, and family.
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
From a really young age, she would let me pit cherries for strudel, pie, and other desserts.
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
She recently told me, "You should listen to me more, I tell you things you don't know about"
One word to describe your mom?
Charismatic
How are you celebrating mom this year?
Cooking a Mother Day's lunch for my parents at our home in Lancaster, PA.
Francoise Vielot, Category Director, Product Development
Mom: Sonia Ambrose
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
It’s been a mixture of IRL and virtual. We were able to drive down to visit her for Christmas which was really great. We also have calls with her and send images to her digital frame so she can see what we are up to.
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
By far her banana fritters. Waking up and smelling the warm, yummy aroma coming from the kitchen is one of my best memories. Now my kids get to enjoy the same experience.
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
To focus on my education. She was from a family of educators; she was also a teacher before she retired. This has definitely helped me throughout my life.
One word to describe your mom?
The one word I would use to describe my mom is "resilient". When I was a teen I hated when people would say we look alike, but when I got older I realized that it was actually a compliment.
How are you celebrating mom this year?
We (me and the grandkids) will definitely Facetime with her and will send something special.
Benat Facquet, Senior Product Manager
Mom: Hurihane Dennis
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
My mom is no longer with me but I usually try to make a dish or meal that she used to make.
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
My mom was an excellent cook and made so many elaborate meals. She used to make pita bread weekly, so now my daughter and I make it together.
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
My mom went through a lot of hardship in life, and she taught me that nothing is as bad as it seems. She taught me to be a good person and do well by others.
One word to describe your mom?
Compassionate
How are you celebrating mom this year?
I plan to go on a hike. My mother loved nature and all things flowers.
Amalia Safran, Brand Communications Manager
Mom: Judy Safran
How are you spending quality time with your mom these days (virtually or IRL)?
We text about the NYTimes Crossword Puzzle and see who is able to complete it!
What's your favorite food memory with your mom?
Making special Sephardic Jewish dishes like Spinach Pie for Passover.
What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?
Always look both ways.
One word to describe your mom?
Practical
How are you celebrating mom this year?
A video session with all of my mom’s grandkids, children + spouses.