When I grow up I want to be, now fill in the blank. When I was little I wanted to be a mommy and a hair dresser. My mom was an amazing mom, I see that now that I'm older and I have children of my own. Of course when I was young all I saw was a mom who was always around and I never had a moments peace. My mom passed away 11 years ago this month. How crazy that it seems forever ago yet seems like yesterday.
Anyway, I am a grown up now. I don't FEEL old or anything, but I am a grown up with one grown child and a young one still at home. What I can see now that I'm experienced and wiser than I was when I was a young mom is that the little things really do add up to big things. What I'm talking about is as we are raising our children we really need to pay attention to the little things. When they are babbling on about something it's really important to listen and respond. Those little things are really important to them.
Being a parent is a tough job. It's also THE most important job you'll ever have. We don't get do-overs with our kids. Make today count. I know that sounds so cliche but it's so true. Put your electronics down and invest time in your children. The time you give to your phone, computer, tv, etc is lost. Gone forever. Here's a few things to consider; take a walk, ride bikes together, go on a nature hike, put a puzzle together, play a game, color, or do an art project. For your older kids; serve at a soup kitchen or food pantry, go to dinner with all cell phones off. We need to re-connect with each other.
When your children are grown up, what will they remember? What kind of grown up are you for them? Does your example as a parent give them the desire to be a parent too?
