She wandered in, eyes half-closed and hair a nest. “Mama, I had a little accident in my bed.” Groggy and a touch irritable, I dragged myself out of bed to fetch some clean pajamas. As I peeled off the damp ones, I couldn’t help but question, with a slightly sharp edge to my voice, “Didn’t you go to the bathroom before sleeping?” She replied softly, “I think I accidentally forgot.” Sigh. Big sigh.
Not long after, I found myself awake, squished between my little one and the covers, my stomach in knots. How unfair of me. How childish and ridiculous. I turned to her, quiet and reflective, “I accidentally forgot to let you be a child. I’m sorry.” It’s so easy to get swept away in the whirlwind of adulthood—grumpy, sleep-deprived, and a bit cranky.
But it’s equally simple to apologize. To remind our kids that we, too, are human and that our love is unconditional, even when we stumble. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to say I’m sorry, and it certainly won’t be the last. Just a part of the parenting journey.
Let’s choose not to “accidentally forget” that children are, well, children—just for a little while longer. They should have the freedom to make mistakes, spill juice everywhere, and bring dirt into our freshly cleaned homes.
Let’s strive to provide them with the space to be kids, even when our patience is running thin. And when we falter, let’s humble ourselves and apologize. Let’s gift them their childhood. Sound good?
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In summary, the most valuable gift we can offer our children is not just our time, but also our understanding that they are allowed to be kids, making mistakes along the way. Apologizing and recognizing their childhood is essential to nurturing their growth.