By: Jamie Reynolds
Updated: April 22, 2023
Originally Published: April 22, 2023
Image Credit: Amir Bajrich / Shutterstock
I’ve always been one to glance ahead. When my little ones were tiny, toothless bundles of joy, I couldn’t wait for them to smile and engage. I was eager for the day they would try solid foods, and when they finally could handle mushy bites of rice cereal, I looked forward to the convenience of tossing them snacks from my bag while we were out and about.
As soon as they learned to walk, I was itching for them to run. When they started running, I couldn’t wait for the jumping to begin. It seems like my parenting journey has been a constant race to the next big milestone, riding high on each achievement. No sooner do they hit one goal, and I’m already eyeing the next.
It’s all because I genuinely adore my kids and love witnessing their growth and learning. But sometimes, I worry that in my excitement to see who they’re becoming, I overlook who they are right now. I get so fixated on the big events that I sometimes forget to enjoy the little moments. Recently, I had a wake-up call about just how much I miss while I’m focused on the “big stuff.”
One snowy day, my 7-year-old wanted to play outside right after breakfast. I could see him from my office window, where I was battling writer’s block and racing against a deadline. Rather than continuing to stare at my screen, I found myself captivated by his joyful antics.
Instead of typing away, I watched him bounce through the snow like a playful puppy, flopping down to make snow angels, puffing out clouds of air as he exhaled. When he heard the snow plow rumbling down the street, he jumped up to wave, and the driver responded with an enthusiastic honk.
The sheer delight on my son’s face was a sight to behold. His rosy cheeks glowed, and his eyes sparkled brighter than the snowflakes around him, all because of a simple honk from a snow plow. It reminded me of my own childhood, trying to get truckers to honk at us from the backseat of our car—what happiness it brought me! It suddenly hit me how easy it is to create these little moments of joy for kids, and I pondered how many of these seemingly insignificant but wonderful experiences I’ve missed while chasing after the next big thing.
We often hear the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” warning against getting so lost in details that we forget the bigger picture. In my case, I’m guilty of the opposite. I’m so focused on each step toward their future that I sometimes overlook the beauty of their childhood. Kids are still easily amazed by the simple things that adults often overlook, like snow plows or a delicate spiderweb. For them, every little experience can be as thrilling as the monumental moments we tend to highlight in their memory books.
I’m not planning to stop anticipating the major milestones, but I’m making a conscious effort to slow down and truly savor the moments between those big events. I’ve already missed too much of the everyday joy while dreaming about what tomorrow holds.
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Summary:
This article discusses the importance of appreciating the small moments in parenting rather than solely focusing on significant milestones. It emphasizes the joy found in everyday experiences, illustrating how easily children can find happiness in simple things. By recognizing these moments, parents can foster a deeper connection with their kids as they grow up.