What kids remember
May was filled with great moments: a family vacation to San Diego, a big circus-themed party to celebrate Grace’s 5th birthday, family adventures to the trampoline park and out for ice cream, just to name a few.
After an especially eventful week, I asked Grace and Madelyn, “What was one of your favorite things we did this week?” Grace thought about it for a minute and said,”I liked playing with Daddy. He’s fun.” Then a moment later, she added, “You’re funny too, Mommy. I like being with you, too!”
She didn’t mention her fabulous birthday party (which was a hit with warm weather, fresh cotton candy and popcorn, lawn/carnival games, and time in the pool with friends). She didn’t talk about the hours we had spent exploring the trampoline park as a family. The many gifts she had received just a few days before were forgotten. But the thing that stood out to her was the time Andrew and I had spent with her. That was what she loved the most.
It really struck me and taught be a valuable lesson. While it’s fun to plan extravagant trips or spend money on unique adventures, the thing that kids really remember is the simple hours of time spent together. It’s often something I see as mundane (like everyone just sitting in our king bed, talking, playing, and laughing for hours). But for my kids, these are the moments that burn into their minds and help them feel the most loved. When my kids think of me, they think of the mornings where I make up silly dances and prance around the kitchen while they eat breakfast with laughter in their eyes. They think of sitting close together on the couch and reading book after book. When my kids think of their dad, they think of him calling out “Make good choices!” as he leaves for work, and then tickle fights with him when he gets home. They think of him patiently tucking them in at night.
How special that these every-day moments mold their views of how much they are loved and stay at the forefront of their memories. As we enter summer and the temptation to over plan and over fill our hours all in the name of productivity causes me to stress, I hope I always remember the value of the simple, seemingly mundane moments.
