One of the greatest joys in having small children in our home are the constant reminders about the joy that is just around the corner. Case and point: THIS PICTURE. I am always amazed at how such simple things bring such great joy. When did we lose THAT? THOSE moments? How do we get that joy back?
What I have learned from my kids:
1. Live in the moment. Sure, they may have a 2 minute attention span, but they are all in for those 2 minutes. They aren't creating a to do list in their head, or figuring out how to avoid the unpleasantries of the moment. They are just there, completely present.
2. Let people know how you feel. Sometimes it's okay to wake up grumpy and shake a little bit off at a time. If their tired and cranky, they just tell me they're tired. No guessing, no games, no pretending.
3. If you don't like something, say "No". My kids don't sugar coat. If they don't like something that I do or say, they tell me. I never have to guess about how they are feeling.
4. People who love you, love YOU- no matter what. I can't imagine anything my children could do that would make me love them less. My kids are freaking gross sometimes, and I still want to hold them and kiss them all over! And they love me, the real me. Not the me who showered, has on makeup, or just excelled at something amazing. In fact, to them, I'm a hero just by being present.
5. Move on quickly, but take the lesson with you. My kids eat it hard sometimes. Seriously, I don't know how any human has survived beyond toddlerhood. The constant falling, running into, tripping is insane. But they always pop right back up, have me kiss the ouchie, and then move about their day as though it were no big deal. They do, however, seem to log it away into some deep reservoir, and alter their behavior later. So wise.
6. If you love something, really enjoy it. Sure, ice cream isn't an everyday treat, but when my kids get it, they savor it. Jonah shouts, "Mmmm, so good!" after every bite. Damn right it's good, why not proclaim it?!
Reclaim JOY! It's in the little things… the everyday. Be real. Be honest. Don't linger in the bad. Be a little more like a two year old when you eat that bowl of ice cream tonight, or that glass of wine.
What I have learned from my kids:
1. Live in the moment. Sure, they may have a 2 minute attention span, but they are all in for those 2 minutes. They aren't creating a to do list in their head, or figuring out how to avoid the unpleasantries of the moment. They are just there, completely present.
2. Let people know how you feel. Sometimes it's okay to wake up grumpy and shake a little bit off at a time. If their tired and cranky, they just tell me they're tired. No guessing, no games, no pretending.
3. If you don't like something, say "No". My kids don't sugar coat. If they don't like something that I do or say, they tell me. I never have to guess about how they are feeling.
4. People who love you, love YOU- no matter what. I can't imagine anything my children could do that would make me love them less. My kids are freaking gross sometimes, and I still want to hold them and kiss them all over! And they love me, the real me. Not the me who showered, has on makeup, or just excelled at something amazing. In fact, to them, I'm a hero just by being present.
5. Move on quickly, but take the lesson with you. My kids eat it hard sometimes. Seriously, I don't know how any human has survived beyond toddlerhood. The constant falling, running into, tripping is insane. But they always pop right back up, have me kiss the ouchie, and then move about their day as though it were no big deal. They do, however, seem to log it away into some deep reservoir, and alter their behavior later. So wise.
6. If you love something, really enjoy it. Sure, ice cream isn't an everyday treat, but when my kids get it, they savor it. Jonah shouts, "Mmmm, so good!" after every bite. Damn right it's good, why not proclaim it?!
Reclaim JOY! It's in the little things… the everyday. Be real. Be honest. Don't linger in the bad. Be a little more like a two year old when you eat that bowl of ice cream tonight, or that glass of wine.