Looking for some last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas for that special lady in your life? Here are a few suggestions for those busy working moms you know.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the Working Mom

Workplace Flexibility: Realigning 20th-century Jobs for a 21st-century Workforce

Though I have not personally read this book, the woman who likes to read non-fiction and is interested in topics related to work-life balance may find it right up her alley. Workplace Flexibility brings together 16 essays authored by leading experts in economics, demography, political science, law, sociology, anthropology, and management. They examine existing business practices and public policy regarding flexibility in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. The book presents a compelling argument for voluntary adoption of best flexibility practices that are a win-win for both the employer and the employee.

Slow Cooker

I know first-hand how hard it can be to put dinner on the table on busy weeknights, when you’ve had a long day at work and just want to relax yourself. I received a slow cooker for Christmas, and have found it useful on several occasions for cooking meals while away. Some women may not want a kitchen appliance as a gift, but there are those who will appreciate having a slow cooker in the house to help with the daily dinner rush.

Subscription to Working Mother Magazine

A good magazine subscription can make for a great gift. Many women enjoy browsing through magazines for new ideas, tips, and information. As the title indicates, this magazine is tailored for the working mother.

Smart Phone

Image from Volker on Mobile

Smart phones can be very useful for a working mother. She may find that she’s able to increase productivity using a smart phone and balance the home and work life better.

Wii Fit Plus

I love my Wii Fit Plus and use it to exercise, relax, and have fun. I like that I can use it in a variety of ways depending on my mood and that I can even play alongside my baby girl. This might actually become more of a family gift, but mom will appreciate it too.

Spa Gift Card

Photo by Thomas Wanhoff

Of course, you can never go wrong with a gift card so your special lady can get away for a bit and get some me time. Treat her to a massage, facial, or just some relax time with a spa gift card and she’ll definitely be happy!

What is your favorite Mother’s Day gift to give those special women in your life?

Disclosure: Links to products are Amazon.com affiliate links.

Kristi Yamaguchi, US Olympic gold medalist, is featured in the February/March issue of Working Mother magazine. In her interview with Working Mother, Kristi Yamaguchi speaks on success, balancing her high-profile career and home, motherhood, and the lessons she’s learned.

I thought it would be interesting to see how a celebrity mom handles work-life balance, especially when her work is not on a standard 9-5 schedule. You can read the interview in its entirety on the Working Mother site, but here are a few excerpts:

On the pressures of balancing work and home

“In my twenties I never thought I’d still be working this hard in my thirties. I do feel lucky that I did a lot of my skating, which would have been hard on me as a mom, early on—all that touring and living on the road. I’m happy I’m still busy—off the ice. I still juggle. Sometimes I think I overextend myself because I’m traveling too much and am away from the kids. It’s a fine line to find that balance. These days I make business decisions based on whether something is worth my time away from my kids.”

On home life

“It depends on the season or the week. If nothing is going on, I get the kids ready for school. We’re trying to be a normal family. We all have dinner together as much as possible. [. . .] Bret and I share the responsibility of meals. If we’re grilling meat, he does it. I’m not a fancy cook­—I’ll make a pork loin or Japanese breaded chicken, chicken stir-fry, spaghetti.”

On motherhood

“I’ve realized how precious life is. When I was younger, I was more adventurous. I felt invincible. I was game for everything. As a mom, I don’t want to get injured because then I can’t take care of my kids. Even getting on an airplane, I’m more conscious of . . . Like they say, once you have a child, your heart is forever outside your body. I totally understand that now.”

In the interview, Kristi also states that they have the help of a nanny 25 hours a week. That’s comparable to having your child in daycare for 5 hours each day, which we all know can go by really fast. So, Kristi also depends on her husband, who she says “…picks up the slack,” especially when she travels.

My favorite part of the interview is when she said, “…I make business decisions based on whether something is worth my time away from my kids.” I think that’s something we all think about.

What do you think of the interview? Is it comforting to know that even a high-profile mom who has a nanny also struggles with balancing her work and family?