Children’s memories are a curious thing. They often cling to moments from when they were toddlers but can’t recall where they left their shoes just moments ago. My 5-year-old daughter frequently brings up the time I accidentally spilled juice all over the kitchen floor two years ago, yet she has no memory of the countless juice cups I’ve poured since then. Wouldn’t it be great if we could curate their memories? Like ensuring they remember the cozy bedtime stories but forget the chaotic mornings as we rushed to catch the bus? Here’s a list of 12 things I hope my kids will cherish (and 12 things I wish they’d erase from memory).
Things I Hope They Cherish
- The delightful afternoons spent at the park, equipped with water bottles, treats, spare clothes, and laughter. (And not the day when one child darted toward the street while the other took off in the opposite direction, resulting in me panicking and swearing as I chased them down.)
- The mornings we strolled to school hand in hand, happily chatting about the vibrant autumn leaves. (And not the time I lost my cool in the hallway, shouting, “PUT ON YOUR SHOES OR I’LL THROW THEM AWAY!”)
- The incident when my 3-year-old accidentally toppled over the humidifier, and I calmly reassured him, “It’s alright, accidents happen.” (And not the time I yelled, “OH, COME ON!” causing him to burst into tears and me to feel like the worst parent ever.)
- That rare occasion when I actually brushed my hair and my outfit matched. (Not the countless times I made breakfast in pajamas, wondering if I had even brushed my teeth.)
- The moments I lovingly kissed his little scrapes and adorned them with superhero Band-Aids. (And not the time I told him to “tough it out” when he had a broken ankle.)
- The grilled cheese sandwiches with crusts cut off, fun-shaped PB&Js, and pancakes that looked like the Eiffel Tower. (And definitely not the times we survived on cheese sticks and oatmeal because I forgot to hit the grocery store.)
- The one time I packed all the lunches and prepped everything the night before. (And not the numerous occasions we sprinted out the door, still munching on breakfast, 20 minutes behind schedule.)
- All the times I remembered to pack lunches. (And not the times I had to turn back halfway to school, cursing under my breath as I retrieved the forgotten lunches.)
- The Thanksgiving dinners filled with a beautifully arranged table and a feast fit for royalty. (And not the Thanksgiving when everything was perfect… except I forgot to thaw the turkey.)
- The nights I read Blueberries for Sal all the way through, even though I was tempted by ice cream and a binge-worthy show. (Not the nights I rushed through Brown Bear, Brown Bear in under a minute.)
- The Halloween I crafted an elaborate costume and went trick-or-treating for hours. (And definitely not the year I wrapped him in duct tape, called it a robot, and sent him out with a curfew.)
Things I Wish They’d Forget
So here’s my motherly plea: Please remember the joyful moments, the times I was my best self, and not the times I lost my temper in traffic or when we were perpetually late. And certainly not the many batches of burnt brownies.
By curating their memories, I hope they hold onto the fun times while letting go of the stresses of parenting.
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Summary
Parenting is a wild ride filled with unforgettable moments, both good and bad. While I hope my kids cherish the joyful experiences we share, I also wish they could forget the chaotic and stressful ones.