Recently I read a blog titled "How to Miss a Childhood" (http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/05/07/how-to-miss-a-childhood/) and it really hit home. I am a stay at home mom, and with very few local friends I rely on the internet to communicate with family and friends from across the country. All day long, I share posts, advice, and pictures with other moms, many of whom I have never met! I read blogs and articles about how to be the best parent I can be and trying to stay informed on the most up to date ways to keep my daughter healthy and happy.
What I never realized, until reading that blog, is the best way to keep my daughter healthy and happy is to be there. Of course I pay her oodles of attention, I am with her every hour of the day (minus the 15 or so hours I work per week) but it's the little moments that matter and I never realized how much I could be missing out. Even just a few seconds is enough to miss the little pitter patter of feet walking across the room for the first time or the dance moves your little one is trying to show you before their attention span runs out and they move on to something new.
It's not a matter of neglect or a lack of caring, it's a classic case of the modern day distraction. I know I'm not the only one, and I am certain that a large portion of stay at home moms (and even working parents) can honestly relate to this, whether they admit it or not. I'm not afraid to admit it because I want to open others' eyes to something that I am thankful to now realize.
You could be missing out...
....when your child is yelling your name and you are annoyed because you are finishing up the last two words of a text
...when your daughter is grabbing at the computer screen and you let out a sigh because you are trying to read the news
...when your son is laughing and pointing at the television, trying to show you how funny his show is and you can't pull yourself away from your game long enough to look up and laugh
...when your baby laughs but you're in the middle of a chat on Facebook and you miss out on that toothless grin
...when you hear your little one wake up from a nap, but you wait to get her until you are finished checking your emails (by which time her post-nap smiles are gone and she is wondering where the heck you are)
... when you throw a few extra bites of food in front of your toddler because your show is almost over and you don't want him screaming while you're trying to hear the television
...when you're taking picture after picture, not because you are enjoying the time with your little one, but because you want the perfect shot to share with your Facebook friends
It is those extra little moments that we miss out on because our world revolves so much around technology. Even with the best intentions- researching parenting techniques and bragging about their latest milestones- you could be missing out on the most important things: their smiles, laughs, and their appreciation for the best part of their day- You!
You don't have to admit to anyone that you can relate to this, but if you have read this far chances are you can. I challenge you from this day forward to give those moments back to the littles, because in 10 years you'll wish you could have those moments back.
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