Yesterday, while at a good friend’s birthday party…
My middle little and I sat down with a couple other mamas and started chatting.
When moving back from Houston came up, one of the moms asked about how we liked it.
I talked about how it grew on me over the years… but was hot…tends to flood a lot.
My Eva…
She went down memory lane!
“Remember in Houston we had a fenced in yard? It was huge!”
I always thought it to be quite small.
“And my brother and I, we used to have these pools… and we’d fill them so high they’d be up to my neck!”
They were clear plastic bins from the container store.
“And we’d play music, and blast it so loud!… and we’d throw water balloons as hard as we could along the fence, and they’d SPLASH EVERYWHERE!”
I honestly did that simply to buy some time as I’d clean up and get dinner ready.
While actively listening to my beautiful child…
One of the mamas noted that E has a great memory… and really positive memories as well.
I found this entire moment beautiful and eye-opening on many levels.
For one, thinking back on those times… I was so tired.
Yes, there were many moments I enjoyed hearing happy giggles and took a second to smile at their joy and happiness… but very rarely did I pause to just sit, watch, and take it all in.
I also always felt the need to be going!…
Taking the kiddos all over the place!…
I often still do.
But as you can see, based on E’s retelling of her 3s and 4s…
She wasn’t mentioning the multiple trips to the children’s museum or the zoo…
She was admiring our relatively tiny yard, clear plastic bins of water, music, and balloons.
THESE are the moments that stuck with her and make her smile today.
On the flip side, this wonderful mama!…
Actively listening and asking questions.
I didn’t realize it until that moment, but very rarely…
Especially when other adults are around… AND our own kiddos…
Do we stop to give other kids our full, undivided attention…
And allow them to be seen and heard.
Beautiful memories are one thing…
But as a 9 year old…
To share, and be seen and heard in the midst of a busy party…
Now THAT is something!
And E’s reactive smile to this kind mama’s words was proof she agreed.
This beautiful encounter gave me two new focuses this week…
- I want to focus on the simple. The tiny, fleeting moments that provide true connection, belly laughs, and smiles.
- I want to continue focusing on these young kids. It’s more important today than ever before that they understand how to connect, communicate, and feel seen and heard.
The thing is… these two things are so basic…
But they’re not easy.
Our busy lives make it incredibly hard to justify prioritizing connection and conversation.
But let’s be honest…
Those two things… ESPECIALLY when it comes to these beautiful young kiddos…
Are of utmost importance!
And truth be told…
The days may seem long…
But man, are these years short!
Believing in us, always!
