Happy Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day we wanted to share the strong relationships our colleagues have with their mothers and find out what their own daughters and sons really think of about them.

Mother and Daughter bond

Here we have Tess age 12, talking about her mum Trish, General Manager at Beechwood Park.

How will you be spending Mother’s Day? This Mother’s Day me and my family will be spending the day with my grandmother for breakfast and then I’m going to be playing my first rugby match in the afternoon.

What makes this day special to you? This day is special to me as it helps you remember and appreciate everything our mother figures do for us in our lives.

Will you be spending it together or over phone/video calls? We are so lucky this year for us to be together. 

Will there be multiple generation sharing the day together? Yes, there will be three generations this really makes us so thankful for this time we have together.

Do you do, or have you done anything unusual on Mother’s Day? This year in particular is different. We’ll have our usual traditions of pressies and breakfast in the morning, but this year we are then going on to a rugby match which we all very excited for.

If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend today? Our dream way to spend our day wouldn’t have to be anything too fancy. All we would need was a nice roast dinner and everyone we care about around us.

If you had to describe your mum in 3 words what would they be and why? I would describe my mum as:

1. Creative - she is such a creative person whether it’s baking or art she can come up with something incredible.                                                 
2. Loving - she is always someone you can rely on she is never ever not there for you, and she can always tell and comfort you if something is wrong.                     
3. Passionate - she will never ever shy away for a challenge; she will always stand up for what is right and never gives up.

What do you think Beechwood Park, where your mum works? It’s a lovely atmosphere and lovely and helpful staff. All the residents are so nice and really caring too.

Bringing together 3 generations

Our Operation Director Stacey Phillps talks about her relationship with her mum, as well as the opinion and thoughts from Lyla, her 5-year-old daughter. Stacey’s own mum Kay Ryder, 68, also shares her take on what Mother’s day means to her.

How will you be spending Mother’s Day? I’m having my family over to my house. It will be anything but peaceful and relaxing, with my brother and his young family, my 1 and 5 year old and my parents. My partner is cooking a Sunday lunch. Ideally, I would have loved to be out of the house but finding a relaxed space for all the family with good food is hard.

What makes this day special to you? Daughter Lyla “Giving mummy presents”. 

I obviously love having my own children and Lyla is at the age where she is reallllly getting into Mother’s Day (I’ve already had 2 presents as she is not very good at waiting!) but for me Mother’s Day is still about a chance for me to spoil my own mum. 

Kay Ryder shares “I love being a grandmother and watching my children with their own children, as Stacey said it can be a hectic day (as is Christmas) but it is rare that we all get together especially with Stacey and Craig, they work hard, have their own families and partners families who live at opposite ends of the country, commitments and children and so I appreciate the times that they do pull us all together and its nice not to have to do the washing up.”

Will you be spending it together or over phone/video calls? We will be spending it together, all 3 generations; me, my daughters and my mum. 

If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend today? I would love to be able to take my mum away – anywhere she wants. Lyla on the other hand has answered soft play and buying mummy some shoes.

If you had to describe your mum in 3 words what would they be and why? My mum is Hardworking, Loyal and Strong. Lyla says I’m the best, happy and kind. 

Stories about motherhood - My mum – like so many others of her generation was a stay at home mum and in fact any jobs she did have were worked around us so mum would work nights and look after us in the day. Her whole life was centred around us, I think as I’ve become a mother firstly I have huge admiration for anyone that is a mother and of course a pinch of guilt for some of the times I might not have shown that level of appreciation to my own mum in my younger self but secondly now that me and my brother are grown up with families of our own its been lovely watching my mum have time to do the things she wants, the things she probably wanted to years ago but right now this life is hers to socialise, to garden, to buy the clothes she wants, to go to bingo etc.

First impression on Brio - My first impression of Beechwood was just amazement at the standard and scale of the homes and development – when I retire I’m mindful that Beechwood is only an hour away!

At Landale Court there was such a buzz in the Slate and Grain, it was great to see children and mums grabbing a coffee, plus our residents and guests enjoying a quick lunch. One of our residents even nipped into the office to take Hector (Morag’s dog) for a walk!

For Button House the location stood out – you couldn’t get a better location with a doctors surgery underneath and a supermarket opposite. Your so close to central London but when you are inside the building particularly in the courtyard gardens you wouldn’t know – there is something very calming about Button House – unless its music with movement day in which case it’s a bit less calm.

Proud Mother

We asked our Sales and Marketing Manager, Jess Nicoll's mum Sybil, her thoughts on her daughter.

What makes this day special to you? Being a Mum is like winning the lottery every day. However, having a family that recognise how special you are to them makes the day even more precious.

If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend today? I would fly my entire family out to the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts, where I was born, and we’d celebrate on the beach in the sunshine.

If you had to describe your daughter in 3 words, what would they be and why? BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT and CARING. Anyone who meets her can she how much she shines, not only in beauty, but she is also fun, practical, and clever.

Stories about motherhood - Even though I’m now a “pensioner”, I still smile when my daughter rummages through my wardrobe looking for something classic and stylish to wear!

What do you think Landale Court, where your daughter works? Landale Court is understated modern luxury with every design and detail thought through for living in comfort and security for this modern age.

Mother and Son

Finally, we have our General Manger from Landale Court, Morag Stark. Morag’s son Frazer 34 shares his thoughts about his mum

How will you be spending Mother’s Day? I’ll actually be abroad - at a wedding in Hyderabad, India so a bit different than usual!

If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend today? I’d take Mum and the Mother-in-Law on a no expense spared trip. Maybe Paris or New York with some shopping, a Michelin star meal somewhere and then a show and some cocktails. 

Describe your mum in 3 words? My role model

Next, we ask Morag, about her day and her relationship with her own mum.

How will you be spending Mother’s Day? Very quiet, I will visit my mum in her care home. 

What makes this day special to you? Spending precious time with my mum.

Will you be spending it together or over phone/video calls? No hopefully a phone message but he is going to be in India

Do you do, or have you done anything unusual on Mother’s Day? For many years I worked as in a hotel it was always busy and it was lovely to make it special for others.

If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend today? Sunday lunch or afternoon tea with my own mum and Frazer. 

If you had to describe your mum in 3 words? Generous, loving and caring.

Any interesting stories about motherhood you would like to share? Before he shares (which he didn’t), the time I forgot Frazer was coming home for lunch and I remembered when I was halfway round the golf course!

Why not try asking your mum, daughter and son these questions and hear their response.

1. What makes this Mother’s Day special to you?
2. If money/time were limitless, what would be your dream way to spend Mother’s Day?
3. If you had to describe your mum in 3 words, what would they be and why?