I often find myself caught up in what’s next. When my children were tiny, sleepy infants without teeth, I eagerly anticipated their first smiles and interactions. I couldn’t wait for them to start eating solid foods. Finally, when they were old enough to enjoy mushy rice cereal, I longed for the day I could simply pass them a snack from my bag while we were on the go.
As they learned to walk, I couldn’t wait for them to run. Once they could run, I looked forward to the moment they would jump. Throughout their lives, it seems I’ve been waiting for each significant accomplishment, celebrating their milestones as they come. Before one achievement is even reached, I’m already focused on the next.
My enthusiasm stems from my deep love for my kids and the joy I feel when they experience new things, develop new skills, and overcome challenges. However, I worry that in my excitement, I might be speeding through their childhood years unintentionally.
Sometimes I am so eager to see who my children will become that I overlook the beauty of who they are right now. I get so wrapped up in the major events that I miss the small, delightful moments. Recently, I had a revelation about how much I might be overlooking while I fixate on the “big stuff.”
One snow day, my 7-year-old son was eager to go outside right after breakfast. I could see him playing in the front yard from my office window, where I was wrestling with a writing deadline. Instead of working, I allowed myself to watch him.
He leaped through the snow like a happy puppy, flopping down to create snow angels, his breath puffing out like dragon smoke in the crisp air. When he heard a snowplow approaching, he jumped up to wave at it, and the driver responded with a cheerful honk.
The sheer joy on my son’s face was unforgettable. His rosy cheeks glowed, and his eyes sparkled brighter than the snowflakes surrounding him. That simple honk had clearly made his day, and perhaps even his week. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming rush of love — a feeling all parents can relate to.
It took me back to my own childhood, when I would peer out the car window, trying to get truckers to honk as we drove along the highway, and how ecstatic I felt when they did. It struck me how effortlessly we can bring joy to a child’s day, and I began to wonder how many of these small yet magical moments I’ve missed while focusing on the future.
We often hear the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” which warns against getting lost in the details. Yet, I realize I might be doing the opposite with my kids. I’m so focused on witnessing their journey to adulthood that I sometimes forget to appreciate them in their current phase of life — kids who can still find wonder in snowplows and spiderwebs. They take joy in the little things, each seemingly minor experience as thrilling to them as the significant milestones we eagerly document in their memory books.
While I will continue to look forward to the big moments, I’m committed to slowing down and cherishing the in-between times. I feel I’ve already missed too much of the everyday magic while dreaming about what tomorrow may bring. For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog posts like this one on intrauterine insemination, and for further resources on self insemination, visit Make a Mom.
Summary:
This article reflects on the importance of appreciating everyday moments with children rather than solely focusing on significant milestones. It emphasizes the joy found in small experiences and encourages parents to savor the present while looking forward to future achievements.