How to Savor the Moments as a Parent
One particular day, I was running around with my head cut off, feeling stressed and overstimulated. Our son called for me in his room to grab a toy and stared at me with his bright-dreamy blue eyes and, with glee and dimples, asked me, “Can you play with me, Mommy?” I obviously couldn’t say no, as he is a professional charmer at the age of 3. We spread blocks onto the floor, and I watched one by one as he stacked the yellow triangles on top of the green and blue squares. I was intrigued watching him build homes, towers, and castles with pure imagination and a stern look of determination. He started to describe the buildings to me, who lived there, and what it was for, and he used words like difficult and interesting to define his process. It stopped me in my tracks. I was amazed by him.
The longer I sat there watching him, the more of an opportunity it was for him to open up his mind and personality to me. I thought to myself, ‘This little dude is the shit!’ ha! I looked at his face and how much his features changed and noticed how big he was getting. I wonder what I have been doing and where my mind has been going. Adulting has a way of swallowing us and keeping us captivated and hypnotized. We think everything we need to get done is essential. Sometimes it is, but I am learning it can all wait. The project, the paperwork, phone calls, and emails can wait. Our children can't wait; they won't be willing to one day. It was one interaction with our son that taught me that. So today’s blog is about a back-to-the-basics type of lesson: stop and notice. Notice your child's details, watch what they talk about, their interests, and what they are good at or may need more guidance on. Listen to how they describe themselves, watch their sense of self form, and note their unique qualities.
I used to think that savoring the moments with my children meant taking trips, bringing them out and about to experience life. While that still holds true, this is no longer where the definition of savoring ends. Savoring the moment can mean laying on the couch and getting in cuddles watching Harry Potter for the millionth time or biting into a homemade chocolate chip cookie you made together. Eyes meet each other wide with delight, and we smile together ear to ear at the delicious creation. It is as easy as sitting down on the floor to get on their level, driving in the car, or sitting at the dinner table having conversations, asking questions and seeing where their mind goes and how fascinating your child is, learning who they are as a person and how you can play a role into helping them thrive as that person they are to be. It can be doing something you both enjoy, which will help you savor the moment more, like painting a picture or walking on a nature trail. When you start doing the things you love and including your kids in what you love, they feel that passion from you, and that's a terrific blueprint for them. So next time your child comes up to you and asks if you want to play with them, or they tell you about a cute boy or girl in class or show you something that interests them, stop. Stop whatever you are doing and savor this moment.
How do you savor the moments
with your children?
