Sometimes parenting seems very passive. Start the movie. Drop them off. Pick them up. Cheer from the sidelines.
This summer has been super busy and some of it was just a matter of getting them there.
Soccer camp.
Art class.
Swim lessons.
But active parenting is a lot more than just being in the right place at the right time isn’t it?
I’m learning that my kids care about whether I care. Whether I care enough to get down and dirty.
To jump in the pool with them.
Their faces light up and screams of delight echo through the building:
“Mom, you’re in the water with us!?”
Yes. I’m in the water with you.
Wet hair, make-up-less face, and post-surgery body. I’m in the water with you and it’s fun.
I’m learning that the best parenting doesn’t take more money. Or more activities or more classes. It just takes the willingness to get your hair wet.
So very true! Taking the time out even for what some may view as the simplest things yet they mean the world to the kiddos.
Love that last picture of you and little man, you guys have matching smiles of pure joy!
My husband snapped it during swim lessons and I love it. love, love, love
Mine is the same way. He loves when I’m not just watching him play, but playing WITH him. It makes such a difference!
That’s it exactly. It’s not enough to “mommy watch me” while I lounge in the chair. They want ME. I’m learning.
Love this post, Love this reminder, Love the pic in the pool!
Guess where we are headed right now……
What fabulous timing then!
My kids do the same thing when I get in the pool with them. Like it’s a gift. I love that look on their faces!
And they don’t care if all I do is walk around the pool – cause sometimes I’m in, but I don’t want to get my hair wet. 🙂 It’s crazy, but they love me just as I am – probably more than I do.
Oh yes! In my boys eyes I’m perfect the way I am no matter how much I dislike my jiggle to my waggle at the moment.
So so true!!! We started a mock trail of homeschooling last week and I noticed how excited they were to be doing activities with me rather then just in the same zip code. Being there on the side lines is important but actively squirting them with garden hose is so much more fun!
That’s one of my favorite parts about homeschooling is being THERE for their activities.
Yes yes yes!! We are kind of experimenting this summer with less activities (of the paid kind) and more just being at home. My son THANKED me for playing Battleship with him yesterday. I don’t recall him ever thanking me for taking him to karate. Love this, I’m sharing with my readers on FB!
That is so sweet! I love that.
Very good point. I think we get caught up in things and forget this. Thanks for the reminder.
It is really easy to get busy.
Ha, another benefit to being a parent of a special needs child – you’re never far from them! I get in the pool, even when I DON’T want to. The upside is not just the time with my kids, but I’ve learned to relax a whole lot and have more fun nowadays than back in my 20s and 30s.
What an interesting point that I never considered. There’s a balance right between trying to encourage more independence and being available.
Love this! xo
Thanks! 🙂
LOVE to get in the mix with the teens: water balloons, nerf attacks or outside work. Definitely worth it! Great reminder that sometimes, we just have to jump in.
I love that. I think intentional parenting is great and I have to keep reminding myself to be THERE. You know what I mean?
Agreed, I gave up all hopes of stunning summer looks when someone said, “Mom! Jump in with us!”. The call of a 5 year old is far more compelling than that of my hair guy. Lovely.
That’s exactly right. The call of an any-year-old is compelling indeed.
This? Is glorious. Your smile, his smile… it is what makes every single parenting moment worth it. Yes, they want spectators. But they won’t always want participants – I love the reminder to snatch those opportunities while we can. Perfection, my friend.
I totally teared up when I saw this photo my husband had snapped. So perfect.
I agree…not only do my kids love that I do things with them but so do my nieces and nephews. There are 20 kids in my family and they all love coming to Aunt Angel’s house because she does stuff with us. They are only small for a moment….blink and you’ll miss it.
That’s awesome! We have 7 cousins in my family right now but only two of us are married. Six of my siblings still have yet to be married. 🙂
Just imagine the number of things and amount of time we would share with our children if, instead of sending them off, we home schooled them (as I’m sure, many of us do :)….13 years of learning alongside our children :).
One of the things I love about homeschooling. 🙂 The cluttered house not so much but it’s pretty inevitable some days.
Beautiful!
Thank you, honey. 🙂
oh yes, this is such a lovely post and so very true! Often my kids are wanting me to play with them. And you know what? I will always answer those requests with a YES. Cause someday, they will ask me to step back.
So true. Soon enough will come the day when they ask “Thanks for the ride mom but you aren’t STAYING are you?” hehehehe I have to enjoy the time when they think a shark attack by their mom is still funny.
I can tell you that this is true and remains true even as a grandmother…you need to get your hair wet or at least a little damp…I am so happy that I did get my hair wet with my own kids and am still able to do this with my granddaughter.