Picture courtesy Adams Elementary
When the long-awaited weekend comes, the sun shines and flowers bloom for those students who get to join up with their mothers and spend time with them. Jaxson, a Rexburg elementary student, displays the enjoyment many students will feel when their mothers come for Mothers’ Weekend.

Mothers, children anticipate being together

Excitement builds for children waiting for their mothers to come to Rexburg for Mothers’ Weekend – and mothers are waiting, too

Amber Meyers MEY04001@BYUI.EDU Special Sections Asst. Editor

Mothers’ Weekend brings excitement and relief for both mothers and children as classes lighten up for a couple days and kitchens smell of home cooking.

“I can’t wait for Mothers’ Weekend to see my [mom] and also [my roommate’s mom]. They are so much fun,” said Christy Smith, a senior from Post Falls, Idaho.

The idea of Mothers’ Weekend is something unique to BYU-Idaho. An event which mothers get very excited about, said Alana Butikofer, a mother from Rigby, Idaho.

“I think it’s neat that they do that type of thing,” Butikofer said. “I don’t know of any other colleges that do something like it. I think it’s neat all the different activities that are made available to go to.”

One thing many mothers enjoy is getting the chance to see how their children live while away from home.

“I most enjoy seeing my daughter in her daily surroundings,” said Smith’s mother, Ane. “I really enjoy the close-knit feeling there is on campus.”

Other mothers who live further away like the ability Mothers’ Weekend gives them to get to meet their children’s roommates.

“Last year, Mindy and her roommates cooked dinner and invited all the mothers,” Butikofer said. “It was neat meeting her roommates, you never get to if they live far away, and talking to their mothers.”

The school activities also bring a lot of excitement, with events ranging from Comic Frenzy to a fireside with Sister Susan K. Bednar.

“I am looking forward to Extravadance. I really liked going to that last year,” said Renee Atwood, a mother from Emmett, Idaho. “I also liked the neat classes they had on campus.”

Even when there aren’t events on campus, there are plenty of other things mothers can do with their children.

“It’s fun to go out to dinner and just hang out if there is nothing to do on campus,” Atwood said. “I really like that Chinese restaurant [Fongs].”

The fact that Mothers’ Weekend used to be a week brings mixed emotions from mothers.

“I think that it goes by too fast,” Ane said.

Atwood is glad it is only a weekend now because it is easier to come to Rexburg.

Even with mixed emotions about the length of the break, mothers and students agree Mothers’ Weekend is fun, and they always look forward to seeing each other.