There is nothing like getting a card from someone to make you smile. Whether the card is handed to you, left on your desk, or mailed with a stamp it shoes that someone really cares about you. When I was in middle school, I became a Secret Pal for my younger cousin. For years I sent her fun cards, little gifts and messages letting her know that her Secret Pal loved her. During those years, I would often go to Hallmark stores in our local mall and spend hours buying cards to have on hand. I have to admit, I am a Hallmark snob. Those commercials with people flipping the card over. . . . that’s me!

Recently, I was contacted by the Family Review Network to see check out some samples of Hallmark’s new Edge of Motherhood and Moms Encouraging Kids lines.

Edge of Motherhood: (Survey results from the Moms that inspired this line can be found here)

“Motherhood is sometimes raw, always authentic and frankly funny,” said Tina Neidlein, a writer who helped develop one of Hallmark’s new encouragement lines just for moms, called Edge of Motherhood. “Moms told us that they want to be able to connect with other moms around the experiences that only they can truly appreciate. That’s why we’re excited to share these new cards – to help moms address that need.”

The cards touch on a wide variety of motherhood topics including:

• Being a stay-at-home mom
• Juggling all of the responsibilities of life
• Battling stress in every day life
• Raising a child
• Endless laundry and other chores
• Dramas you encounter as a Mom
• Figuring out your baby and children

Here are two of my favorites that were included in my samples: 

Inside: "A company that has pooped on you, literally, but still it’s a company."

Inside: "Being a Mom is the most rewarding job that will ever make you want to tear your hair out.       Don’t worry. It’ll grow back in."

Moms Encouraging Kids:

"The survey also revealed moms’ desires to encourage their kids more, particularly at the back-to-school timeframe. When asked about giving encouragement to their kids, more than three-fourths of moms said they are looking for new ways to boost their child’s confidence during back-to-school. To address their need, Hallmark has introduced new cards just for kids, which use humor, sound, and heartfelt messages to help adults “breakthrough” in a genuine, authentic way, packing a confidence boost."

The cards touch on some of the following topics:

• Giving good wishes/luck
• Boosting confidence
• Helping with back-to-school butterflies
• Encouraging your child to do their best
• Sending a laugh via a card just because
• Letting your child know you are thinking of them

All of the card samples that I received had sounds in them when you opened them. Two of my favorites were:

Inside:  "There! Now you have good luck!  (But you can open this card again anytime you need some more!)   Music like a fairy waiving their wand plays upon opening.

Inside:  "…TOO much."     A loud, mother is heard saying " Hi Honey.  Hi! Guess who loves you? I do! I love you so much. That’s right schnuckums. You heard that? I love you!"

Where to purchase:

Both collections of cards are available at select Hallmark Gold Crown stores and other retailers where Hallmark cards are sold. Some styles of the “Edge of Motherhood” cards are also available online at Hallmark.com. The full collection is only in stores. Both lines have cards that start at 99 cents each. The cards for kids that include sound retail for $2.99

My thoughts:

I honestly fell in love with the Edge of Motherhood cards. I adore the fun sense of humor, slight sarcasm and mommy-isms that all mothers will understand and sympathize with. Not only did I laugh as I read them, I nodded in full agreement with sentiments expressed within the cards. I  also sat there looking at my cards planning out people who I would send them to to make them smile and let them know I was thinking of them. Next time I need a card for a mom friend, these will be on the top of my list.

Growing up, my mother used to tuck a card/note into my lunch at school. I would feel special and her words would carry me through the rest of the day. I have done the same and thing with my oldest son. The Moms Encouraging Kids line is a perfect and fun way to help kids know they are extra special to us. I know that I plan on going out to my local Hallmark store to look for a back to school card to tuck into my son’s bag for his first day of 1st grade in a few weeks.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for Hallmark, who supplied the cards for review.