As a parent, I often find myself fixated on what lies ahead. During those early days when my children were mere infants, I eagerly anticipated their first smiles and interactions. I longed for the moment they would start eating solid foods, and when they finally managed to chew through rice cereal, I dreamed of the ease of handing them snacks while we were out and about.
Once they learned to walk, all I could think about was how much I wanted to see them run. When they began to dash around, my eyes were set on their ability to jump. Throughout their lives, it feels as though I’ve been anxiously awaiting each significant achievement, celebrating every milestone they reach. However, it often happens that just as they accomplish one feat, I’m already fixated on the next.
This eagerness stems from my deep love for my kids; I cherish witnessing their growth, new experiences, and triumphs. Yet, I worry that in my rush to see them thrive, I might be overlooking the beauty of their childhood as it unfolds. Sometimes, in my excitement to glimpse who they will become, I forget to relish who they are right now. I become so engrossed in the major events that I fail to notice the smaller, yet equally important moments.
Recently, I had a wake-up call during a snow day. My 7-year-old, Max, was eager to go outside immediately after breakfast. As I sat in my office, grappling with a writing deadline, I caught a glimpse of him through the window. Writer’s block had me stuck, but instead of forcing myself back to work, I chose to watch him play.
Max bounded through the snow with the joy of a puppy, flopping down to create snow angels, his breath puffing out like dragon smoke in the chilly air. When a snowplow rumbled down the street, he leapt to his feet, waving enthusiastically as the driver responded with a friendly honk. That moment—his face illuminated with joy and rosy cheeks glowing—was pure bliss. A simple honk had made his day, and likely his week.
In that instant, I was flooded with the familiar rush of parental love. It took me back to my own childhood, when I would lean out of our car trying to coax truckers into honking. I realized just how effortless it is to bring joy to a child. It made me ponder how many of these seemingly trivial yet wonderful moments I had missed while focusing too much on what was next.
We often hear the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees,” warning us against getting so caught up in details that we miss the bigger picture. In my case, though, I think I’m guilty of the opposite. I’m so eager to witness each step towards their adulthood that I overlook the magic of their childhood. They still find wonder in everyday things—like snowplows and spiderwebs—that we adults often ignore. For them, even the smallest experiences hold the same weight as the monumental milestones we tend to document in memory books.
While I will continue to look forward to the significant events in their lives, I am committed to slowing down and truly savoring the moments between those milestones. I realize I have overlooked too much of their daily experiences while daydreaming about the future.
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Summary
In the rush to celebrate significant milestones in our children’s lives, it’s easy to forget to enjoy the small, everyday moments that make childhood special. By taking the time to appreciate these in-between experiences, we can deepen our connection with our children and cherish their current selves.