Subtle Shift from the Little Kid Phase
I’m sure many will relate, but when my children were younger I rarely indulged and did things for the sake of my own personal fulfillment. Either I was zapped of energy or overstimulated by the end of the day. Believe me, I wanted to, but that’s just not how I dealt with life when my kids were six and three. They’re a smidge older now, and there’s a shift occurring. I’m often wondering “Am I discovering another beautiful thread to motherhood?”
Everyday I watch my children have an eagerness to try new things, and exploring their own likes and dislikes. It’s very cool seeing their personalities in action as they figure out the world around them. Sign me up, I want a front row seat to that, please! It’s quite thrilling dreaming of what they’ll do next. Somewhere deep within, a yearning spurs inside me to join along, make a memory, or perhaps even dip my toe in new endeavors.
My biggest wish is to encourage and support them as they decipher their own unique passions. What I didn’t anticipate is that my kids are, in turn, unearthing parts of my old self (and some even new parts) that I buried underneath parenting responsibilities. I’m reveling in this delightful part of mothering. My kids don’t realize how much they teach me on a regular basis.
Embracing the Big Kid Phase
Whether we’re playing catch or a competitive game of wiffle ball; braving a ropes obstacle course together at camp (while my heart beats 90 m.p.h.); jumping on the inner tube for a wild ride at the lake (when sitting in the boat sounds better); tossing the football so my son can practice new routes; spending Friday night in the kitchen attempting that yummy Pinterest recipe my daughter finds; or buying the bright colored blouse she assures me “looks good one me.” I try my best to join when asked, but I also push myself in times when not expected.
The different stages our children go through are the perfect times for us to step through our own, too. I may be a couple of decades ahead of them, but I’m still growing up! I’d prefer they look at me and think, “yeah, mom would be up for it.” My prayer is that watching me jump into the mix will inspire them later in life to never hold themselves back. They’ve already given me a lot in their young lives. My intent is to return something that will carry them. So, whichever stage of parenting you find yourself in, I hope your children inspire your soul as well.
